The GPS-speedsurfing method takes a bit of getting your head around, I got it wrong the first time I posted. The primary ranking used on the site is the 5 by 10 second average. The gps software - easily available on the net - will look for your 5 best 10 second runs in a day and take the average. You can only get one run counted on each reach. There's a little bit of uncertainty in GPS speeds calculated over short times or distances so this method was decided on, after much thought by the organisers, as a reasonably accurate method to compare sailors.

Mostly though, in casual comparisons on the beach we talk in GPS max, the value you get on the max speed field on your GPS display. It uses doppler shift rather than the location information. Location is stored at 2 second intervals in memory for downloading later. GPS display max is considered to be more accurate than a single 2 sec reading which is obtained from the down load . But seeing the display max relies on the sailors memory and eyesight the primary ranking is based on the tracks which are saved to be verified by the timekeepers. On very rare occasions the gps max can be out but it is usually obvious and the tracks won't add up when you download.

The timekeepers always ask for your tracks when you do a pb in any of the categories.

The other categories are just taken the single best for the day.
2 sec max ( usually optimistic by a knot or so compared to the display max)
100m
250m ( should be accurate to plus or minus 1/2 a knot )
500m (so you can compare to official records set over timed 500m courses)

Nautical mile (about 1830 m (?)), a good distance to have a crack at, best if you can do it without a gybe, takes exactly 2 mins if you can average 30 knots, not easy, not many flat water courses that long so chop is involved and the playing fields are levelled. There was a state vs state competition for the month of february over this distance which generated some good competition. An over 30 knot average for one member on the winning SA team. The gps is quite accurate over this distance)

One hour. There's a 1 hr state vs state comp going on at the moment - for the month of march. WA is leading I think. If we plane for 20 mins in the hr in Canberra it's a good day.

But GPS's are good value, only $250, they certainly add another dimension and challenge to your sailing. You'll end up going way off the wind as you try for better times, ie. it discourages BAFing, so as well as getting faster you'll also get better at coming back upwind.

Yeh sorry mate, glad you popped up OK but I did learn from your stack before I ventured out. What was he doing that was different to every one else? Ah 15 metres from the bank -don't go there too choppy. It's a fine line to follow. Sandy point counts as "real world conditions' I think.

My first use of a GPS (Foretrex 101) netted me a peak 2 second average of 31.9 knots. All I know is I was faster than Fred Haywood so I was wrapt!
I weight 75kg, was using a Fanatic Ultra Hawk volume 96 litres and a Simmer Onshore wave 5.7. I think the wind would have been around 20-25knots but honestly who really knows.
That was last year and since then I haven't been able to better it. It really is about the consistency of the wind and the piece of water you're sailing. I sailed Port Stephens over Xmas and found a super flat section of water behind a mid port sandbank and was doing consistent 29-30 knot averages but the wind wasn't as strong.
I also sailed from Kyeemagh down to Dolls Point in a south easter a month or so ago and did a 22knot average over a 4 km distance.
Hardie, like the exact reason you started this thread, speedsailing really is a drug now and I just wanna go faster and faster......

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Originally posted by sick_em_rex

My first use of a GPS (Foretrex 101) netted me a peak 2 second average of 31.9 knots. All I know is I was faster than Fred Haywood so I was wrapt!

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Fred did his speed over 500m not 2 seconds, there is a good couple of knots difference (at least) between 2 second peak and 500m.

My only gripe with GPS's (and it's not aimed at anyone) is keep it real, compare apples with apples ie a 40 knot peak is not 40 knots over 500m that the pro's have done.

Gotta agree with Hardie. If you really want to get into it the GPS site is for you. You will definitely find some very in depth and deep stuff there.
Harrow, everyone should be using the 2 sec bit as thats what is recommended on GPS.
Firiebob, I am so jealous of that Green island pic. It looks unreal.
GPS units arent just for the pro's. I use mine to log distance, time on water, max speed obvious!!! and i keep a Word document with all that and also the conditions, gear used and who I sailed with.
Its all fun

keep it as gps display, that way it keeps people with navman etc units involved. There is no checking of results anyway so it dosent really matter.

Slowboat knows what he is talking about, so for the purposes of this site let's use the GPS Display peak speed.

Though he should be banned from posting/competing

My sponsor Windwarrior have a comp and has agreed to put up a prize.

The comp goes something like this they will put up details soon.

On the Windwarrior.com site they will have a register of speeds, and given I'm theeir overweight speedsailor, I will represent them. I will post my fastest GPS Display speed, and Whoever has the highest GPS Dispaly that is faster than mine, during the period of the contest wins the prize, or I get to keep it

The windwarrior site is not intending to compete with Seabreeze, they won't be having a forum or any discussions. Just a promotional fun competition.

WOW Hardie, just checked your latest GPS speed post, you're right up there straight up

Can we keep it in knots please, we aren't driving cars here.

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Originally posted by ka43

Now Im really desperate for some wind, need a fix!!!!!

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Yeah. how about WA send over some green arrows.
You've got too many

Yes we were very lucky today, hope to see some really fast times posted.

Got really sorted out in the afternoon session, much windier and choppier, lost my confidence intially couldn't get near my speeds of the morning session. have to thank Elmo for his encouragement and help, without which I would not have eventually gone faster, probably the longest run at such speed. Elmo had bad luck with spin out problems, which toatlly destroys your confidence at those speeds in chop. Thanx again Elmo, you'll get me next time

Whats a GPS?

I was gonna stay out of it but during today's sesh I was thinking to myself:

how could speed sailing come close to charging down the line on a head-high wave, in 25knots+, spotting the curling lip and lining it up...


I even managed to Elmo my face!

speed sailing's just not wave sailing.

quote:

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Originally posted by hardie

quote:

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Originally posted by Leech

I was gonna stay out of it but during today's sesh I was thinking to myself:

how could speed sailing come close to charging down the line on a head-high wave, in 25knots+, spotting the curling lip and lining it up...


I even managed to Elmo my face!

speed sailing's just not wave sailing.

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used to feel the same way myself, came and checked you guys out, if you were sailing with greeny, and definitely looked fun, stirred me to think "Will I go and have my 3rd speed sail of the day..... Yeh I've had enough, might join the boys?........ Nah just one more speed session, need that speed adrenalin fix.......

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yeah, i was there. i nearly overdosed on adrenalin. greenroom did

bit of a trek for you to not sail, isn't it?

Im still shaking from the rush