Getting Powered or Overpowered in 93

westender · Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 1288 Location: Portland / Gorge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy-361vW9iM

GURGLETROUSERS · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 2643

OUCH!!! (Doubly so.)

And did you notice how they all had their harness line attachment points about a foot apart? Nice to know some of us also-rans have always been right! Wink

P.S. Just stirring. Anything to avoid another totally pointless which foot in the straps first saga!! Rolling Eyes

westender · Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 1288 Location: Portland / Gorge

It's about how we define things and compared to what.

rswabsin · Joined: 14 May 2000 Posts: 444 Location: New Jersey

Did you happen to see the old Fast Forward video that was next:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fu5qr3inl8

How about Laird's harness line placement! They're like 2 feet apart. This video really intrigues me in that I was given a beautiful Naish speed needle - very similar in shape to those in this video - that is just begging me to sail on one of our flat water spots. The board is from the late 80's early 90's I'm guessing and is in perfect condition - just a few small dings in the glass that are easily fixed.

Rob

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

And they say we should never let go of our booms!

GURGLETROUSERS · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 2643

Yes, that's an interesting point.

Some of them were trying to keep hold but at that speed, and force of impact, it's probably not possible without serious injury. Did you notice how, on striking the water, many of them were forcibly twisted and hurled uncontrollably?

At anyrate, hats off to them all. Samantha Metcalf was at that time (early 1990's) a regular at our main beach. She used to drive a big red van with huge lettering on the sides. From memory it proclaimed - 'Samantha Metcalf. Womens Windsurfing Speed Champion,'

She clocked 37.15 knots in July 1995, and (I think) briefly held the women's world record.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

"a man's gotta know his limitations"....
And even for Antoine, that limitation occurs when the board exceeds 28 mph, you're holding onto the booms, the board stops catastrophically, while your body doesn't.
Anick Graveline was pretty fast in '93.
But could either of them keep up in speed with the top GUYS of the time? I"m talking about guys who compete in speed events, and most were 200+ lbs.?
I don't think so.

westender · Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 1288 Location: Portland / Gorge

Being powered up is not only what you feel in the sail. It's the control of forces that propel your board. The speed sailors are powered up. Aspiring sailors with footstrap problems need to get powered up.

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371

speed needles force one to jibe correctly or fall in.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

Needles are far the best jibing boards ever, but....
They needed steady strong winds and flattish waters....and enough space to plane thru a jibe.
My 8'3"Haut's that were 16" wide were the best combination, the narrower ones jibed hard, while the wider ones were hard to hold down on a rail at high speeds.