New Outright World Speedsailing Record!!!

[jason morton]

Not by a windsurfer or kiter, but by a boat!! I think it will be really hard to catch this boat. The 60 knot barrier is just around the corner. Subject to WSSRC ratification.

Vestas Sailrocket 2 at 59.23 knots(68.16 mph) over 500m:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnjyusAgk8I

[bordy]

And now it's 65.45 knots over 500 meter. The question is the depth rule? Sail rocket has been setting records is water les then half as deep as her beam. That is the rule made years back to offset the kiters using shallower waters. Perhaps the rule made to stop kiters from being fastest just messed up sail rockets?

[jason morton]

75.31 mph. That is insane!!!

[brian.doubek]

I think for kites to compete they will need to focus on reducing aerodynamic drag.

Perhaps do away with traditional, inflatable, nylon kites and use a rigid winged kite. A standard inflatable kite must experience huge drag when it gets up around 50 knots. The body of the kiter also produces much drag. Perhaps the kiter needs to wear a speed suit (like speed skiers use). Maybe the speed suit could be built into the board. (imagine a foil shaped cockpit attached to the board that the kiter is inside) To test this we can can duct tape a couple rigged, 4 meter windsurf sails (clam-shell style) around Morton and send him out on Rush lake.

Here is what the website says about the drag of sail rocket 2.
-The entire boat including rigging has the equivalent aerodynamic drag of a 74 cm wide sphere.
-The boat should be capable of 3:1 boat speed to wind speed ratios.

The main advantage kiters have currently is that they can ride in stronger winds and shallower, smoother water.