9 to 19 October 2005 · 2005. 10. 12. · 3. The kitesurfing PKRA World Cup The PKRA (professional...
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9 to 19 October 2005 5000 Euro Prize Money THE EVENT Walvis Bay Speed Week 2005 is an annual event to determine the fastest average speed over a 500m course for windsurfing and kitesurfing sailors. The course consists of flat water resulting from a sand bar in the Walvis Bay Lagoon and off shore South Westerly winds ranging from 20 to 40 knots. This year, we are expecting speeds from the professional contestants of between 46 and 48 knots, if conditions are favourable. This event was the first speed windsurfing event in the world and the oldest in Africa. This year is the 20th event and has continued to lead the way on the international front. The competition was initially only between South Africa & Namibia but now nearly 14 nations from four continents are participating. The event has been run from inception in 1985 by Jeff Marting and Rob Pickstock, with backing from locals Alan Louw and Helmut Geiger. It was always their goal to make it the premier event on the world speed sailing calendar. Rob Pickstock was the contest director for the PBA Professional Boardsailing Association and Jeff Marting the founder, organiser and for many years the main sponsor. The “speed strip” is on the lee of a sand bar island, which creates logistical problems. Initially a system of stopwatches and radios operated by local school children was used, who were open to the elements (strong 40 kts wind and sand). This system allowed only one sailor on the course at a time. This has now progressed to a computerised system in specially constructed huts, powered by generators, allowing multiple sailors on the course at any one time. Our own computerised timing system was designed by Uwe Sieg, Hilko Maschall and George Krafft and has been accepted by WSSRC (World Sailing Speed Record Council). This system has been adopted by international speed windsurfing and kitesurfing bodies.
Transcript of 9 to 19 October 2005 · 2005. 10. 12. · 3. The kitesurfing PKRA World Cup The PKRA (professional...
www.walvisbayspeedweek.info
9 to 19 October 20055000 Euro Prize Money
THE EVENT
Walvis Bay Speed Week 2005 is an annual event to determine the fastest average speed over a 500mcourse for windsurfing and kitesurfing sailors. The course consists of flat water resulting from a sandbar in the Walvis Bay Lagoon and off shore South Westerly winds ranging from 20 to 40 knots. Thisyear, we are expecting speeds from the professional contestants of between 46 and 48 knots, ifconditions are favourable.
This event was the first speed windsurfing event in the world and the oldest in Africa. This year is the20th event and has continued to lead the way on the international front. The competition was initiallyonly between South Africa & Namibia but now nearly 14 nations from four continents areparticipating.
The event has been run from inception in 1985 by Jeff Marting and Rob Pickstock, with backing fromlocals Alan Louw and Helmut Geiger. It was always their goal to make it the premier event on theworld speed sailing calendar. Rob Pickstock was the contest director for the PBA ProfessionalBoardsailing Association and Jeff Marting the founder, organiser and for many years the mainsponsor.
The “speed strip” is on the lee of a sand bar island, which creates logistical problems. Initially asystem of stopwatches and radios operated by local school children was used, who were open to theelements (strong 40 kts wind and sand). This system allowed only one sailor on the course at a time.This has now progressed to a computerised system in specially constructed huts, powered bygenerators, allowing multiple sailors on the course at any one time. Our own computerised timingsystem was designed by Uwe Sieg, Hilko Maschall and George Krafft and has been accepted byWSSRC (World Sailing Speed Record Council). This system has been adopted by international speedwindsurfing and kitesurfing bodies.
www.walvisbayspeedweek.info
In previous years our local sailors (Owen Kitchin , Hennie Bredenkamp, Mathias Roetcher and MarkGrinnell) achieved world standard speeds of over 40 knots (73 km/h) all with amateur equipment, whoare still active competitors. This proved that Walvis was a world class venue, and the vision of a worldcup event was realised. Bjorn Dunkerbeck ( 13 times world windsurfing champion) further entrenchedthis fact last year that Walvis Bay is the best natural speed spot in the world, when he achieved hishighest ever of 44.25 kts (81 km/h). Local Olaf Marting broke the world record in Speed Kiting of41.65 kts (76 km/h).
Speed Week comprises of three main events:
1. The “King of the Strip” which is the fastest single run throughout the event from eitherdiscipline
2. The windsurfing “F2 Walvis Bay ISA Speedsurfing Grand Prix 2005” presented by Surfand ActionThis year this is the 3rd and final leg of the F2 ISA World Grand Prix with Bjorn Dunkerbeckleading the competition and another 50 of the top professional speed windsurfers from aroundthe globe competing for the coveted crown. World record holder Finian Maynard of 48.7 kts(90.2 km/h) from the British Virgin Islands, lady windsurfing world record holder Karin Yaggi41.25 kts (74.5 km/h) from Switzerland.
3. The kitesurfing PKRA World CupThe PKRA (professional Kite Riders Association) first leg of the 2006 speed worldchampionships. There are 25 of the top kitesurfers participating with Olaf Marting, currentworld record holder, Siebastien Cattelan the winner of the 2005 world speed competition.
Walvis Bay Speed Week is sanctioned and run by the NSA (Namibian Sailing Association) andsupported by ISA (International Speedsurfing Association), PKRA (Professional Kite RidersAssociation) and the WSSRC . The competition is to be held at Walvis Bay from the 9 October 2005(registration) with competition from the 10 - 19 October 2005 . Spectators are welcome to witness the
www.walvisbayspeedweek.info
event, either at the strip or at the free air centre where there will be a live video feed of all the action.There will be extensive coverage of the event on the official web pagehttp://www.walvisbayspeedweek.info/.
LATEST UPDATE
10th October 2005
No racing as top wind speed only reached about 14 knots.
11h October 2005
The morning’s skipper’s meeting showed promise as wind conditions looked positive for the dayahead. It was announced that the T1 Boards have been included in the production board list for ISA.This should make the production board class of the event more competitive.
The day started early, as participants and spectators alike, were ferried across to the speed strip from11:00. Official racing commenced at 1pm with the event’s first heat. Wind Speed ranged between 22and 27 knots, starting quite broad and squaring off during the course of the second heat.
There are indications that the first records of the week seem to have been broken, although these to bevarified with the WSSRC. Provisional results shall be made available during the course of tomorrow.
WHAT IS SPEED?
Speaking to a some of the competitors prior to todays competition, it seems as though they all have asimilar view on what speed means to them.
“To me, speed is technology, understanding the wind – angles and holes and handling bumpy water.I’ve been sailing for twenty five years so going fast is in my blood” Olaf Marting(Current World Record Holder – Kitesurfing)
“Your sailing ability is key. How you arrive at the top of the course, your timing, technique and beingdisciplined in applying the rules. Having the right genetics and being built for speed is a plus.“
Hennie Bredenkamp(Africa Record Holder – Windsurfing)
www.walvisbayspeedweek.info
“Walvis bay is the world’s best location for speed. It is essential to be in top physical conditiontogether with the most technologically advanced eqipment. Having an aptitude for the wind and howto get the maximun from your equipment, is what achieves a record breaking speed.’
Dirk Hanel(Overall winner Walvis Bay Speed Week 2004 - Kitesurfing)
It’s die hard heros like these, who seem unpeterbed by breaking body parts in order to break records!Olaf Marting and his father Jeff, see Walvis Speed Week as an integral part of growing bothwindsurfing and kitesurfing in Southern Africa and together with this small group of Namibian localshave become renowned for the ‘community’ feel of the event.
PICTURES OF THE DAY’S RACINGCopyright Craig Kolesky Sandisk
Bjorn Dunkerbeck – World Champion, Windsurfing
www.walvisbayspeedweek.info
Tuesday’s kick off heat
