2
NEWS
Speed sailing record smashed --- video
Australian pilot steers radical sailing craft to 64.78 knots!Two days after finally smashing the outright world speed sailing record, the Vesta's Sailrocket 2 (VSR2) team decide to tackle the Nautical Mile world record which was held by the mighty Hydroptere.
It was always going to be an interesting challenge for the VSR2 team as the speed course that they sail on in Walvis Bay, Namibia, is defined by a beach which is exactly 1.04 miles long. This requires them to launch the boat out in more exposed waters and try and get up to as high a speed as they dare in rough water before they hit the start of the mile.
At the end of the course they also fire out into rough water and have to bring the boat to a stop. It's hard on the boat. The beach is not straight but has a slight curve in it. The mile is measured by GPS equipment in a straight line, so Australian pilot and project manager Paul Larsen needs to balance between sailing in close to the beach for the flat water and sailing the straightest and hence shortest distance between A and B.
In this run, with winds that averaged just under 25 knots, The team smashed not only the nautical mile record* by over 5 knots averaging over 55.3 knots, but also raised their own outright speed record* to 59.38 knots over 500 meters hitting a peak speed of 64.78 knots (74.55 mph, 120 kph).
For Aussie Larsen it was the perfect result after 10 years chasing the perfect reach. The speed sailing was realised.?VSR2 performed exactly as predicted by the Sailrocket design team of Malcolm Barnsley and Chris Hornzee Jones.
The spec for the boat was to be able to hit 65 knots in 26 knots of wind in order to average around 60 knots.?
*All records subject to WSSRC ratification?. Youtube footage directed, filmed and edited by Ben Holder.
Read the latest Boatsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the Boatsales Network's mobile site. Or download the all-new App.
Tags
Share this article
Written byBoatsales Staff
See all articlesStay up to dateBecome a boatsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe todayDisclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Contact
Advertise with us
International marketplaces
Consent
Download the boatsales app
