The kiter's will certainly give it a go.

If you look at the kiter speed on the kitesurfing speed site you'll see they're already right up on the windsurfing speed's.

http://50knots.xs4all.nl/gps-kitesurfing/gps.asp

I lent my GPS to one of our local kiters and whilst I was rigging my gear he put together a few runs with a peak speed of 35.9knots (66kmh).

This was a first attempt at speed, never really tried going fast before, on a small board with a thick edge and a schidt load of rocker and whilst mainly going up wind.

He was a bit surprised with the speed as he said it didn't feel like he was going fast and he was having problems with his short board holding an edge over the chop.

Given a bit more practice on the day, I have no doubt that 70kmh would have gone by the wayside and that 40knots would have been achievable.

The biggest advantage they have is the amount of water they need, just over a couple of inch's is needed, which means they can find a lot more incredibly flat water than a windsurfer can. they also achieve they're speeds in a lot lighter winds than is needed to propel a windsurfer.

Respect goes to anybody who pushes the boundaries with speed thing, big waves, big jump's & boosts it all hurts when things come unglued.


Alby


Oh, and no matter what I did I couldn't catch Marty on the day (-2.4knots)

Does parachuting also count?

Why do we compare kiting speed to windsurfing speeds anyway they are different sports. If a kite broke 50 knots,it would be fantastic for kite surfers, but to me its not sailing. We dont see to many kites on racing yachts.

quote:

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Originally posted by Jman

to me its not sailing. We dont see to many kites on racing yachts.

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what about the C class cats; do you count them and their speed records with the solid sails? or is that not sailing?

If it's wind driven it's a sail.


Lotsa people living on that river in egypt me thunks