Walvis Bay Speedweek

Walvis Bay, Namibia. Many local riders took off recently to Walvis Bay to participate in the 21st annual Walvis Bay Speed Week. The event has over the past couple of years attracted the biggest names in the sports of windsurfing and Kiteboarding. The event took place from the 14th to 21st of October and the purpose of the competition is to see who is the fastest over 500m and more recently, the Nautical Mile. 

Timed by state-of-the-art video systems, the event is overseen by the World Speed Sailing Record Council (WSSRC) & International Speedsailing Association (ISA.)  At this years event there were only 11 Kiteboarders who took part, as the event was mainly an ISA Windsurfing event.

The week is timed to coincide with the strong winds, but this year was particularly light. Only a days racing was held, but that's all it took Sjoukje Bredenkamp (18) to break the current 500m Women's World Record of 35.2 knots.  The previous record holder Aurelia Herpin (Fr) was not there to defend her title, but that did not stop Sjoukje from beating the record by almost 2 knots.  The previous record was made at Walvis Bay last year, but in a lot more wind. Sjoukje Got a top Run of 37.24 Knots.. 

Her times on a kiteboard were quicker than all of the female windsurfers, including World Record holder Karin Jaggi and World Champion Valerie Ghibaudo.  And, it was not only the women she beat, her performance would have placed her 3rd overall in the men's Kiteboarding too.

Rob Munro, Nigel Bowley & Jurgen Geiger stayed on for the 50 knot record challenge.  You can read more on the official website www.speedweek.co.za and follow progress at www.speedsailing.co.za.

Thus far Rob Munro set a new Kite speed world record over the Nautical mile with 35.65 knots. In close racing he was able to defeat Nigel Bowley by only 0.07 knots. This promises thrilling action in the next days.