Luderitz Speed Challenge 2012

Here is a nice clip produced by Eric Bellande of the 2012 Luderitz Speed Challenge in Namibia.

The Luderitz Speed Challenge is all done, with so many record Being broken and incredible times posted! Antoine Albeau broke the World Record eight times over the competition’s four weeks period, ending with the fastest time of 52.05 knots, setting the new World record. Albeau was joined in making history by the fastest female of the event, Zara Davis of Britain, who posted a windsurfing world record speed of 45.83 knots (made on Production board).

12 national multi-discipline records were broken during the course of the event, which is incredible when one considers that 13 nations were represented. The records were as follows :

  • SWEDEN: Anders Bringdal: 51.45 kts (95.3 kph) which is also the World Record on Production Board.
  • NETHERLANDS: Jurjen Van Der Noord: 51.26 kts (94.9 kph)
  • SWITZERLAND: Patrick Diethelm : 50.49 kts (93.5 kph) and then Bjorn Dunkerbeck: 51.09 kts (94.6 kph)
  • GREECE: Nick Vardalachos: 50.56 kts (93.6 kph)
  • GERMANY: Christian Bornemann: 46.75 kts (86.5 kph)
  • UNITED KINGDOM: Farrel O’Shea: 48.82 kts (90.4 kph)
  • FEMALE UNITED KINGDOM: Zara Davis: 45.83 kts (84.8 kph)
  • FEMALE TURKISH: Lena Erdil: 45.74 kts (84.7 kph)
  • ITALIAN: Alberto Possati: 44.47 kts (82.3 kph)
  • CROATIAN: Boris Vujasinovic: 44.47 kts (82.3 kph)
  • UKRAINIAN: Alexander Goncharov: 40.95 kts (75.8 kph)

All in all seven riders hailing from five different countries went over  50 knots. These were:

  • FRANCE: ANTOINE ALBEAU (52.05kts) and CEDRIC BORDES (50.23kts)
  • SWEDEN: ANDERS BRINGDAL (51.45 kts)
  • NETHERLANDS: JURJEN VAN DER NOORD (51.26 kts)
  • SWITZERLAND: BJORN DUNKERBECK (51.09 kts) and PATRICK DIETHELM (50.49 kts)
  • GREECE: NICK VARDALACHOS (50.56 kts)

These unprecedented performances were made possible not only by the incredible skill and athleticism of each contestant but also by their belief in the event and their willingness to give of their experience to improve the sailing conditions. All the windsurfers agree that this year’s results can definitely be improved, and who wouldn’t, when you consider A.Albeau went three knots faster than he did in 2008, in less wind! The riders are presently leaving Namibia with ideas for modifying their gear in order to return for more action in stronger winds in 2013.

Luderitz Speed Challenge – Episode 1

Since November 5th, some of the world’s best windsurfers including Antoine Albeau, Björn Dunkerbeck, Anders Bringdal and Patrik Diethelm have descended on Lüderitz in Namibia to participate in the 2012 Lüderitz Speed Challenge. The Luderitz Speed Challenge is a contest of 100% speed windsurfing. For a month a special canal is constructed. This year records have been shattered again and again with extraordinary times, 45.84 knots and Zara Davis (Women) and Antoine Albeau clocked at 52.05 knots!

Behind the Scenes Luderitz Speed 2012

Jurjen van der Noord brings us a a behind the scenes look during 2012s The quest for speed in Namibia Luderitz.

Antoine Albeau broke the windsurf world speed record : 50.59 knots in Luderitz, Namibia

Today Antoine Albeau broke the windsurf world speed record : 50.59 knots in Luderitz, Namibia. Anders Bringdal and Antoine Albeau exceeded 50 knots with respectively 50.46 and 50.59 knots on a 500 m course in windsurfing.

Luderitz Official Trailer – Countdown

Trailer for the Luderitz Namibia Quest for Speed, which runs for windsurfers from the 5th of November to the 2nd of December. You can find out more at the Luderitz Speed Challange website. Don’t forget to follow here for more updates!