Lüderitz centre stage for wind surfing

To date, the Lüderitz Speed Challenge has produced an unbelievable12 World and 75 National Windsurfing and Kite Surfing speed records and this year’s event is pegged to start on 5 October to 15 November.

Founder and organiser of the event and the first person ever to achieve 50 and 55knots, Sébastien Cattelan (France), is the brainchild behind the specially-made very fast channel which now attracts the best Kite surfers and Windsurfers in the world.
This inspiring artificial 1 kilometre long channel is located in the natural Lüderitz Second Lagoon located just a few kilometres from Lüderitz. The 2015 event has attracted 40 top riders from 14 different countries and each will attempt to break National and World Records. At the very least, many PBs will be beaten during these 6 weeks.
The current world speed record holder in Windsurfing, Antoine Albeau (France) achieved an astonishingly fast 52.05 knots/96.4 kilometres per hour average speed over the official 500 metres run at the 2012 event. Antoine will once again do his best to keep his world title and push the limits even further.
Italian Record holder Patrik Diethelm, winner of the 2014 event, came just within .9 knots of the world record. Anders Bringdal (Swedish Record holder), a legend in the Windsurfing community, is another strong contender – Anders is currently second fastest in the world with 51.45 knots.
Women will also be well represented with the previous World Record holder, Swiss Windsurfer Karin Jaggi, who will try to regain her title from fellow country-woman, Heidi Ulrich.
Sébastien Cattelan (France) twice World record holder in Kite surfing will also be competing. He will undoubtedly go for the world record in Kite surfing (56.62 knots) but he will face stiff opposition from other very fast riders such as Sébastien Salerno and Sylvain Hoceini both from France.