World Speed Sailing Record

goinoff · Joined: 01 Feb 1998 Posts: 154

I saw this over on Sailing Anarchy:

http://www.sailinganarchy.com/index_page1.php

Record

50, Anyone?
The controversy over whether kite boarding is sailing has been settled; it isn’t. At least that's what the ISAF decided at its November Conference. So, although the World Speed Sailing Record Council today ratified Sebastien Cattelan’s record of 50.26 kts, set at Luderitz on October 3rd, it points out that this is cannot be recognised as the World Speed Sailing Record. got that?
So, right now Antoine Albeau keeps the outright record, with his 49.09 knots on the St Maries de la Mer speed canal this summer and it is beginning to look as though Alain Thébault could be the first sailor to break the 50 knots, with Hydroptère.

The flying trimaran is now (subject to ratification) the fastest sailing boat on the planet over 500 metres, having dethroned Yellow Pages and her 1993 record, last week, with an average of 46.88 knots. What is even more significant is that Thébault and crew are getting closer to the absolute speed record, having recorded an average of 52.10 knots over 100 metres and a peak speed of 53.69 knots, which – if sustained – would bring it very close to the 100 km/h barrier. This photo from the Hydroptère team. More right here.

http://www.bymnews.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=422

11/21/08

FredFX · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:54 pm Post subject:

Wow @ the flying trimaran, though I'm glad windsurfing has now kept its name as the fastest sailing sport out there Very Happy

bil7y · Joined: 17 Dec 2002 Posts: 349

What a load of BS. We are all 'sailors'. Yellow pages was a 'sail boat'? Deep respect for dangling sideways at 50knots. They own it - give 'em the respect. BOOOOOOO ISAF HISSSSSSSSS BOOOOOO.

NORMPE · Joined: 26 Oct 1999 Posts: 11

Interesting info, thanks for posting it. The site you mention doesn't explain the ISAFs decision at all and begs the question: What is it then?

wndsrfrmn · Joined: 30 Jun 2001 Posts: 36

What is sailing? Is it dangling from a kite while riding on a water ski? Is it windsurfing in a trench on a really skinny board? What about that boat that was pursuing the record that could only sail on one tack? (it had to be towed back after each record attempt before it self destructed)

What is sailing?

According to wikipedia: "Sailing is the art of controlling a sailing vessel. By changing the rigging, rudder and dagger or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to change the direction and speed of a boat. Mastery of the skill requires experience in varying wind and sea conditions, as well as knowledge concerning sailboats."

Freedictionary and answers,com define it as:
1. The skill required to operate and navigate a vessel; navigation.
2. The sport of operating or riding in a sailboat.

So kiting is not really sailing as there is no sail or boat. It is more like waterskiing. Windsurfers do have sails but there is no boat. If the ISAF wants to ignore kiters and windsurfers that is their right.

So kites are now the fastest wind powered craft in the world, but they are not operated by sailors.

89Spring · Joined: 24 Jul 2003 Posts: 241

Just buck up and give credit were credit is due. None of the record holders/competors rides really dont have any thing in common with a "sailboat". other than that they are ALL 100% wind powered.

spennie · Joined: 13 Oct 1995 Posts: 975 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA

Here's a better photo of the Hydroptere

dogalone · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 113

i wonder if that thing can plane through a turn

89Spring · Joined: 24 Jul 2003 Posts: 241

The open "Moth" class has been using foils and yes they stay up on the foils. The good guys are gybing going upwind as to stay on the foils. They are much smaller than what is pictured. Moths are single handed and only about 12ft I think. Extremely narrow about 18inches maybe. Less drag/wetted surface when up on the foils. Curious if dimpleing the bottom of a speed sailboard would work to decrease wetted surface while planning? Its all good to me, give the credit to the Kiter. That is really fast. Stand up outside in powerboat that is going 40knts gives you an idea.
Also have to give credit to the crazy French who are way into this stuff.

Andy

U2U2U2 · Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:55 pm Post subject:

So what the ISAF now says is:

A kite is not a sail.

But the definition of a sail is:

A sail is any type of surface intended to generate thrust by being placed in a wind—in essence a vertically-oriented wing. Sails are used in sailing.

Thus a kite is a sail.

What the ISAF should have said is a kite is not a rig, only a rig-powered craft can be recognised as the holder of The WSSR.

So what makes a sail a rig and what makes a kite not being a rig? The absence of a direct connection between the rig and vessel? The absence of a mast and boom?

I think it's all a matter of money. Look what costs are made by various teams around the world to take the WSSR. Sailrocket, Hydroptere, Wotrocket all cost large sums of money and then all of a sudden a kiter comes along and takes the WSSR on standard stuff anyone can buy in a shop.