With 40 knots having now been beaten in every Australian state, and by some 38 sailors with 2 second peaks, is it time to admit that 40 really isn't that quick any more?

Yesterday we had Mr Love down at the Pit describing his 40 knot average as a "crappy day", and it seems we are seeing 45 knot peaks with monotonous regularity!

Looks to me like the heat in Australian speed sailing has been turned up a few notches in 2009.

and in WA... 41 is the new 40

its a shame we have such good conditions in Perth regularly, but none of us have the ability to capitalise on it. The guys in SA and Vic seem to be doing it tough. Great speeds for such crap conditions guys. You should come over here- who knows how fast you would go then... [}:)]

slowboat said...

and in WA... 41 is the new 40

its a shame we have such good conditions in Perth regularly, but none of us have the ability to capitalise on it. The guys in SA and Vic seem to be doing it tough. Great speeds for such crap conditions guys. You should come over here- who knows how fast you would go then... [}:)]

or Qld

elmo said...

I've done 45 now I'm chasing 46

Nearly up to a 43,when i get to a 51 I,ll be in the middle

The guys at Sandy seem to be getting 45knts regularly but have they reached the limit of the current equipment?
Can't remember seeing to many 46+knot peaks(apart from that old dude)in recent times.

"Is 45 knots the new 40?" ... seems that way for those of us with good conditions.
Though I think the advancement in sail design has made the differance in the regularity of 45 peaks in not great conditions, compared to the day I did my 5x10 PB. It just seems easier to get to 45 every now and again, only thing thats changed is the sail, still using same board, mast, style of fin.

The hard part is getting the right conditions that allow one to consistently repeat a great run.

ka43 said...

Try living in f***** Sydney!!!!!!!!!
Then again the top Cockies seem to be able to do it. Oh woe

If and when I ever get to 40 then the rest is not just gravy, its friggin' gold!!!!!!!

See what happens in October at the Pit.

I coulda sworn you were already 40 Larko, geez ur an old lookin bugger then if ya still in ya 30's

elmo said...

Just remember....

A PB's a PB whether it's +40 or Sub 30

It's all about pushing your own boundaries not someone elses

So what you are saying is a 40 is a 40 whether it's 45...or a 30

Short answer is yes.

Long answer: what we need to go even faster is 35-40knots of wind that lasts for more than half an hour. Check all the recent posts from the PIT and you'll find the days are at most 30knots. Sometimes, we get the odd 35knot squall or it's ridiculous, like the storm in April. Remember, they wait for 40-50knot days at the Trench and we manage respectable speeds in sub 30knot days. As I said in a post recently, when I got back into this sport after 15 years, I had no idea I would be hitting 45 knots. Now that I can do that in 30 knots of wind with a 5.0m sail, can't wait to see what I can do in 35-40 knots of wind with a 4.4m! I have not once spun out, tail walked, catapulted or just plain stacked at the Pit whilst on the speed run, except for when I initiate a gybe at 38-39 knots and am not totally committed. Sounds easy doesn't it. But I just want to feel like I'm pushing my equipment and so far, I have only managed that once or twice in a couple of runs in over a year!

Anyway this is what the sport's all about. What it feels like for each of us. To me, the speed is secondary to the feeling, and I haven't really felt maxed out or physically challenged yet, unlike the wavesailing or marathon slalom racing or ocean freesailing I've done.

The Sandy Point speed strip is one of, if not THE best speed strip in the world. It is very accessible and has 40 knots + conditions at least a dozen times a year.
In the last few years I have seen at least a dozen guys get the right gear, experience and confidence together to regularly top 40 knots averages.
In 2004, I was over the moon to crack the 40 knots barrier just for a peak speed. This was on a 3.7m wave sail and a '90's 14" speed board with an 15 year old 10" symmetrical slalom fin. In short order we got modern small (5m and 4.4m) speed/slalom sails and some purpose designed Time Machine fins. Suddenly, 40 knots was repeatable on a regular basis and the 5 x 10 sec 40 average was attainable. Shortly after that came a big step forward in fast, easy to sail production speed boards and speeds started creeping up into the mid 40's with a few outstanding sailors pushing the high 40's on a regular basis.
It is still quite a milestone and an achievement to crack a 40 average, and still a significant feather in your cap to do a 40 knots 500m, even here. To get 40 knots peak speeds anywhere else in the country is a very worthy achievement indeed! I reckon the next best spot to watch at the moment is the newly exposed channels in SA!
There are about half a dozen Sandy Point regulars, and probably a similar number of interstate visitors who now have a very good chance of a 45 knots average given an exceptional Sandy Point day (apart from Chris and Mal who are already there). This is still a very big goal, certainly for me, and I would not really have believed it was a realistic dream a even a year ago. Now I think it might be, given a really good WSW day with consistent 35 -40 knots winds. I also think that two or three Aussies who are already have high 40's are a very real chance of joining Chris with 50 knot peaks if all the stars align on a perfect day. Now that really would be sumpthin'!!
And anyone who comes to Sandy and cracks 40 knots for the first time still gets a lot of respect from me, thats for sure. Remember, the Sandy regulars have a 5 or 6 year head start, and we still get quite a kick out of a 40 knots run.
And just in case any of you guys are wondering, the difference in the feeling of speed between 40 knots and 45 knots still blows my mind!! I still can't imagine what 50 would feel like!

35 knots is the new 30 from where I'm standing at present, although it would be lovely to get 40knots in this year that I turn 40 (which is about as much chance as having sex with a supermodel onboard the space shuttle orbiting the earth)

It's all relative, I don't think any of the Pit Crew would be any more excited doing a 45 as I was getting a 36 the other week, talk about cartwheeks
Besides aiming for a 40 my next big target is just a 33 at Yorkeys, I kid you not

But back on track as AUS1111 said, 45 is definitely the new 40, one day 50 will be the new 45, bring it on

Its all relative to were you sail. I want to get a 42 ave at the Pit, but I,d also be over the moon with a 34 ave at Inverloch in the confused chop. Its about pushing the limit and not f@#king up Its just for fun ya know

Hi AUS 1111, I think you mean Hamma did a 38 at Grundy's. I am the one who doesn't check that his GPS is working before attempting a NM[}:)]

only for the w*ankers that have surpassed 40!

stringer said...

only for the w*ankers that have surpassed 40!

Nic. I'm having trouble understanding your post. What are you referring to? Is it the photo in your profile?