There has been a lot happening here recently.
A windsurfer held the record at 49.09Kts up to recently.
A kiter went faster and a whole situation regarding the eligibility of kites to hold the record came to the fore. In particular there was an issue of the water depth where that particular kiter was. There was an arguement that he was using "ground effect" whereby he was only using water as lubrication and not really sailing at all.
Then a rule was created (and further amended) dictating a minimum water depth required (based largely on the width of the craft).
ISAF recognised Kites as a class on their own, and sanctioned a speed event where kites were invited.
A couple of kites broke went faster then the record, and the speedsailors fully expected it to be recognised.
In a strange move, the record was not recognised, and a statement was made that Kites would not be recognised for the overall World Speed record.
Last week, they changed their minds (
www.sail-world.com/Australia/Its-Official---Kite-Surfers-set-Outright-speeds/51630) after being hammered with complaints.
This was never a Kites vs Boards issue, rather it was a Kites & Boards vs "yachts" issue. You will find that most windsurfers campaigned to have the kite records recognised (once the minimum water depth rule was created).
What is really funny is that SailRocket is claiming to now hold the record for the fastest "boat", and is using press release headlines such as "Fastest boat on the planet". Kind of poor form IMHO.
JB
