I would've gone, but for the fact that I'm a pussy

Yep

Wasn't A2 developing an aerodynamic suit and strange fins a while back . What happened there.?

Roo said..

Imax1 said..
Wasn't A2 developing an aerodynamic suit and strange fins a while back . What happened there.?

He has quite a few goodies with him in Luderitz but hasn't taken them out yet. Wait until it looks like record conditions and he'll be playing with all the good toys!

Mabee he could squeeze his way into Cathy Freemans old running suit.

49.56 knots for the 500m today. Gunnar Asmussen was the fastest, wind came in late and will blow all night. Tomorrow looks like the first day with potential for 50 knot runs. A2 took the day off today, and a few more speedsailors started arriving in Luderitz ready for the big blow.
www.gps-speed.com/LSC2023/AutoUpdateGPS.php

L?deritz speed course finally opened after a 10 day lull in the wind. A2 was fastest with a 500m time of 48.93 knots with Gunnar Asmussen a fraction slower at 48.92 knots. www.gps-speed.com/LSC2023/AutoUpdateGPS.php

Forecast for the next 6 days is windy but record breaking conditions aren't expected until maybe Wednesday wx.iwindsurf.com/spot/86416

One of the reasons A2 hasn't gone over 50 knots for the 500m was a bad fall he had over 10 days ago and is slowly recovering.

Here's the full story: A2 Yes, everything went well at the beginning, I was able to test masts developed with Nautix. I also tested many combinations of equipment, also changing the boards, fins, etc. The 2nd day , the wind was stronger, I sailed with ballast. During my first run , just after passing the final camera, when you straighten up and go up a little to slow down, I brushed the windward side of the bank. It threw me off balance and I let myself slide forward. The problem is that there isn't much water in the canal this year and during the first impact , I landed in not even 30 cm of water! So I hit the ground with a nice impact to my ribs and the back of my back. I got over it, I didn't really have any pain. I felt it hit but it was okay. It was the 1st run , I continued my day until the evening. But during the night, it got complicated because I started to have difficulty urinating and in the morning, I realized that the little I could urinate was blood! I went straight to the doctor. I did lots of tests, x-rays of the pelvis, ribs, ultrasound of the bladder, kidneys, etc. We looked at the stomach, the intestines and there was nothing. I took treatment, was able to sleep a little and started urinating properly. But the next day, the pain in my back was really too bad, worse than the day before. I went back to the doctor and took pain medication. The next day, I was in even more pain. I had x-rays and ultrasounds done again because the rib fractures are more visible a few days later sometimes. And still nothing! It is assumed to be a large internal hematoma. In the meantime, there had been no wind. On Sunday, there were interesting weather forecasts, I prepared well but, from the first run , the pain was too strong in my back. I tried a 2nd run but I was at 47, 48 knots, without really getting to the edge. I told myself it was dead. Since then, we are at the beginning of the week and the pain is still there. It's not great even if it's a rather calm week ahead. For me, it's not worse, it will help me get better. I'm obviously disappointed but that's how it is. I hope it will get better. There are still 2 weeks left and I hope that the conditions will return and that my back will finally feel better, which seems to be the case for the last 24 hours!

Great chat on windsurfing.tv with Ben Proffitt talking speed with Antoine Albeau.

Quiet day 9 in Luderitz, top speed of 44.59 knots by A2. Only 5 speedsailors in action today. Tuesday looks to be the next good blow coming through.

Fastest gear so far this year the new Mach 7 Severne 5.2 and Neil Pryde EVO XIV 5.3.

A2 at 47.68 knots for the 500m today. Jim Crossley at 45.06. Wind didn't come in until late, fastest runs just before 5:00 PM.

Roo said..
Day 8 on the L?deritz speed course. Not much change in 500m times over yesterday. A2 (186 cm tall, 99 kg weight) with 48.97 knots and Gunnar Asmussen (186 cm, 97 kg) on 48.89. Jim Crossley fastest of the normal size speedsailors (177 cm, 93 kg) not far behind on 47.54 knots for the 500m.

Is this without extra ballast? if so, then me putting on the "dad bod" kg's might actually be a good thing...

"It's for speed sailing darling" when the wife makes a comment haha

Roo said..
Day 8 on the L?deritz speed course. Not much change in 500m times over yesterday. A2 (186 cm tall, 99 kg weight) with 48.97 knots and Gunnar Asmussen (186 cm, 97 kg) on 48.89. Jim Crossley fastest of the normal size speedsailors (177 cm, 93 kg) not far behind on 47.54 knots for the 500m.

What's a 'Normal' size speedsailor? Around here they vary between 55Kg and 110Kg. But I'm not sure if and of us could be truly called 'Normal'

Roo said.. Nah...yer just average not normal Daffy!

Small group and a bit dissapointing speeds i believe ? Will there be a Luderitz 2024 ?????