Speed record falls once again

Bar rises further at the Luderitz Speed Challenge

Today was an epic one for breaking records at the Luderitz Speed Challenge in Namibia where once again the outright record for a 500m course has fallen once again. After France's Alexandre Caizergues managed 54.10 knots on 13 October, so today with the wind up to 45 knots today American Rob Douglas has become the new Outright Record holder with a run averaging 55.65 knots (subject to ratification by the WSSRC).

Given the wind strength the organisers built a retaining wall after the end of the run to keep the water in at low tide. This appears to have paid huge dividends.

Douglas was not the only person to set a new record today. Sebastien Cattelan set a new French record of 55.49 (and can also claim to have been the first to break 55 knots). Cattelan held the outright for just 1 hour before Rob Douglas bettered it.

Among the women France's Charlotte Consorti managed 48.5 and followed 30 minutes later by Sophie Routboul who posted a 48.64 knot run. Routboul could only manage two runs as she has a broken hand... Consorti returned to the water and did 50.43. The first lady to break the 50 knot barrier.