After so many records were broken many riders were hopeful that the last Thursday would deliver more wind that would enable the speeds to be pushed a little further, but unfortunately it was not to be. Yet this will surely go down as one of the best speed sailing competitions in history, with many record broken, many times, and of course the overall speed record not only being taken over 50knots, but over 52 by Antoine Albeau!

Here on Boards we have covered the event every step of the way, so to check out all the coverage just head here; posts include videos, interviews with Antoine Albeau and Zara Davis, images and of course details of even record broken and top speed reached!

We would also like to congratulate all the riders that took part this year, it has been incredible to see everyone pushing the top speeds and it’s certainly inspired us to get the GPS out!

Luderitz closing ceremony

Are you into speed sailing? Has the Luderitz competition inspired you to head our to your nearest speed course too?

Check out the short video of Gaastra rider Bordes earlier in the year, where he’s testing some of super fast Vapors on Maui.

Follow Bordes and the others over in Luderiz right here on Boards.

Find our more about the Vapors here on the Gaastra website. 

Antoine Albeau and Cedric Bordes, tandem record holders. Image credit Eric Bellande.

Many sailors have raised the personal best speeds, with more national records being improved too. Bjorn Dunkerbeck is now getting dialled into the conditions on the canal, boosting his top speed up to 50.91knots….can he come closer to Antoine? Or even overtake him?

But Antoine just keeps going faster and faster, with his top speed still at 51.69 knots over 500m Antoine has now taken the two second top speed to over 100km per hour! This is an incredible 54.14knots over two seconds giving Antoine the fastest top speed in the world and the first person to take it over 100km per hour. Check out the full details on the GPS Speedsurfing page here. 

Anders Bringdal reflects on yesterday’s action on Facebook:

“Yesterday, Great day here in the canal. Antoine did what he does and smashed the 100 KM/h top speed. Pretty cool and is good to see. Bjorn also had a good day and came charging through.
I did not manage to find the grove and was slower.
Also managed to buss my self up a little more… sore ribs on my last run.
Now Thursday forecast looked good yesterday. Today it looks so so again.. We still wait for that stronger day as we all feel we can go faster.
Like we say in France, A-Fond”

Bjorn Dunkerbeck, looking to chase down Antoine's record.

So, it looks like there could be a couple of mellower days ahead on the canal, before potentially more records flying on Big Thursday, Boards will of course keep you updated, for now over on Windsurf Journal they have now released the first episode from the canal…