Last Thursday, December 5 2008, Isle of Wight – a British speed sailing craft Vestas SailRocket, piloted by Australian Paul Larsen, became the world’s fastest sailing boat* by attaining an average speed of 47.36 knots over a 500 metre record course. At the same time a bunch of windsurfers, set on breaking the same record were becalmed in Waterford. With winds averaging only 22.6 knots, the ultra efficient craft – which incorporates materials and technical support by Gurit – reached peak speeds of 52.22 knots during the run down of the Walvis Bay speed-strip in Namibia.
The speed achieved is enough to give the team the ‘B’ class world record* and Paul Larsen the Australian National record*. Although there was more drama than just breaking records, when the boat literally took off on the second run and performed spectacular backflip by flying more than 30 feet in the air upside down.
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Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
