French windsurfing champion Antoine Albeau has broken the world speed sailing record. Although yet to be ratified Albeau clocked up 49.09 knots, which is 91 km/h, beating the previous record by 0.4 of a knot. A World Sailing Speed Record Council observer was on hand to verify the record breaking run.
The record was set on a specially built canal at Saintes Maries de la Mer in the south of France. The area is subject to the “Mistral” a strong cold wind which funnels down the Rhone Valley from the Alps in winter and spring.
Would be contenders for the record have been waiting for the right wind conditions to hit the canal. On Wednesday a 45-50 knot Mistral came in with gusts up to 60 knots, although conditions were rough and the wind angle was not ideal for a record breaking run. 14 windsurfers spent the day trying to break the elusive 50 knot limit to no avail with Albeau topping out at the 49 knot mark around midday.
French trimaran l’Hydroptere is due to be launched in a weeks time. The boat is being optimised for all out speed with the object of breaking the 50 knot speed barrier.
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