(October 4, 2008) On Friday, October 3rd, the Lüderitz Speed Challenge saw
Sebastien Cattelan of France become the first human being to sail at more
than 50 knots (93kph), a world record he held for only 24 hours before
compatriot Alexandre Caizergues snatched it away with not one but three runs
over 50 knots, reaching a top speed of 50.57 knots (93.65kph).

The massive winds that blew yesterday were exceeded today, although a later
low tide meant a slightly delayed start. Several of the top competitors,
including Cattelan and American Rob Douglas (who set a new world record in
the first few days of the Lüderitz Speed Challenge), selected slightly
smaller kites in today’s exceptionally strong conditions, but then swapped
back – possibly costing them a few valuable fractions of a second on the
record-setting day. So far the Lüderitz Speed Challenge has seen ten new
outright records and four new outright women’s records. --
http://www.luderitz-speed.com

* From American Rob Douglas, who had set the previous outright record of
49.84 knots on September 19th: “I picked a bad day to learn some important
things yesterday. The worst companion of defeat is fear, plotting and
methodical, it probes my mind for all the crevices where the remaining bits
of hope can hide. Eager to snuff out the last remaining light of strength,
it easily illuminates all the ingredients of failure - injury, doubt,
mortality, humiliation, and anger. This ultimate struggle raged yesterday -
fear vs. hope.

“I also learned two more other lessons …never sail for a result and never
get off the 7 Xbow (even in 48kts). Congratulations to Alex, an amazing
competitor with massive amounts of determination. Wednesday looks like the
last good forecast for the event. I look forward to applying the lessons
learned.” -- http://nassp.net/nassp

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