Out of curiosity, what's the strongest wind people go out in?

I went out last Tuesday in Melbourne on a 9m Nova at Brighton, the northerly was blowing 30 to 40 knots (it was the hottest sept day for 20 years 30 degress!!), gusting higher,the kite handled ok, a few rogue gusts started coming in so we all came in (there was a 12m crossbow and a 12m vegas out also), then a guy went out fully powered on a 3m ss foil, I thought the wind had settled down as there hadn't been a massive sand storm for at least 20 mins, so i went out for a few runs, the first run felt fully lit (30 plus) the second felt stronger, I went to turn around and a massive gust came through and ripped the bar out of my hands, if i had of been on my fuels the kite would have been ripped in half, I came into the beach with the kite at 12 oclock and the bar out as far as i could reach, luckily there was a dude on the sand to land the kite in the sandstorm that had erupted, the sand was blowing about 20m high off the beach, after that we packed up and went home, the fawkner reading said it was a 51 knot gust! I am not sure what the difference is between Brighton beach and the beacon as it is a km offshore.

Warning:
<dick measuring contest>

Hey Bowski yeah I was there at Brighton talking with ya before you went out and saw you almost get caned with that gust.. 51knots thats intense man!!

Cheers,
Brett

Was out a couple weeks ago on my 12 mtr Turbo Diesel in winds 25 knts gusting to the high 20,s early 30,s. Even though i was on a bow i was way over powered, it went way passed the fun factor. the kite became very unstable.

i think once you go over the 25 knt mark you need to know what the fark youre doing even with a small kite. Wind dynamics change greatly when the wind gets this strong.

Bring on the sub 10 mtr kites i say!!!

30-35kn chest to head high coronations w/ a 5m :)

oh and it was about 10:30am :)