21 OCT '15
NEWS – RACE DAY 4:
Today the wind arrived late.
We opened the race with the new riders coming from France and Great Britain at 1.30pm. They joined the competitors from the previous Race Days and straight away demonstrated their skills.
The day started with 25 knots average wind speed which is light considering what Lüderitz can really provide, and what the forecast predicted. After a few warm-up runs, riders quickly got used to the channel and made the most of the moderate winds (reaching 33 knots average today).
Clouds provided gusty winds which are not ideal.
Antoine Albeau (France) the 22 x World champion in Windsurfing achieved 49.94 kts at the beginning of the day in 25-30 kts of winds only with a bigger sail for light conditions: 6.4.
Most of Antoine’s runs achieved 49 kts (4x) and 48kts(3x); Patrik Diethelm, the Italian record Holder achieved 49.79 kts (Best speed for him today and achieved over 49 kts (3x) and 48 kts(3x) close to his record (51.18 kts). The battle for top speeds has been really tight between them.
Many riders have done a good performance today with the wind conditions:
Yann Coadic (French windsurfer) achieved 47.55 kts last year and has almost beaten his PB (Personal Best) today with 47.44 kts
Manfred Merle from Germany has been very close to his German National Record of 2013 (which has been beaten in 2014) with 47.3 kts (2013: 47.86 kts).
The 3x World Record Holder (1991-1993), Thierry Bielak from France has achieved 46.84 kts with an amazing 50.87 kts top max speed!
3 Personal Bests have been achieved today:
Christophe Richaud – France (3rd participation) achieved 46.66 kts (was 46.55 kts)
Laurent Fesquet – France hasn’t stopped improving starting from 39 kts up to an incredible 45.11 kts today.
Christian Maillet - France, also his 1st participation at the event, was targeting 40 kts and achieved 41.16 kts
