Ian K said...


The video conditions looked similar to what it must have been outside on the practice day before this years LOC, where mid 30s were reported by a gps-speedsurfer.

That would be Slowy, and I can vouch for that coz I was out there. It was 30 knots, open ocean and very scary, frankly.

I reckon it would be great to have a speed event somewhere rough, like Scarborough Beach - that would sort out the men from the boys (put me in the boys category). Keep a video camera on hand as there would be plenty of action!

Frant said ... No we will just choose a depth that frustrates our kiter friends.

On the contrary, the rule as it stands now allows ground effect for kiters but excludes it for all other craft. In 10cm of water a 20cm wide kiteboard at a 45 degree angle will have its trailing edge of the lifting surface (the WSSRC seems unaware that it is the height of the trailing edge above the ground NOT the depth of water that is the determining factor) in very close proximity to the ground. It will not touch the ground due to the entrapment of the water by the edge and fin. If there is a rise in the bottom (shallow spot)the board will rise over it on a cushion of water.

This lack of understanding is not the WSSRC fault. The Wolfson unit should have made clear to their client (the WSSRC) the relevant factors so they could have made an appropriate rule.

Tilmann said ..So what is then wrong with the ground effect

The simple answer is "the ground" . The WSSRC governs sailing records on water. Allowing a third element (the ground) to create a 100% reduction in drag is not by the WSSRC definition "sailing on water".

yoyo said...

Frant said ... Tilmann said ..[i]So what is then wrong with the ground effect

The simple answer is "the ground" . The WSSRC governs sailing records on water. Allowing a third element (the ground) to create a 100% reduction in drag is not by the WSSRC definition "sailing on water".

If the ground is wrong, the shore is wrong, too. Its the same thing. So nobody should be allowed anymore to sail close to the bank, if you take the third-element-argument serious. And that will be the death of speedsailing.

Dr Speed said...

elmo said...

Just a thought (another lonely one)


Sorry, I only have 3 working brain cells in my red furry muppet shaped head and they're hurting reading this continual whining about rule changes

well, i have the same problem: In the evening I am tired and have no ideas anymore. But here in Germany we have a fresh sunny morning right now.
So sleep well there downunder !

and we have the start of our first seabreezes blowing outside my house, so once I finish of my work I'm going for a sail

I'm gonna punish the seabreeze for taking so long to get here, and will teach it a lesson by not sailing today

Yeeeeehhhhhhhaaaaarrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhh

First seabreeze