Lüderitz Speed Challenge 2025: The first runs on the canal - Vincent Valkenaers in front
46.70 knots - that's the first day's top speed at the Lüderitz Speed Challenge 2025, set by Vincent Valkenaers yesterday, the first day of this year on the canal. In relatively light winds, this is still some way off the world record, but all the riders were happy with the start. The wind is expected to pick up again today, so that the record can probably be raised further before a few days of calm are announced.
Valkenaers not only set the best speed of the day, but also the second and third best values - the Belgian is therefore a top favourite to finish at the top of the rankings and perhaps even set a new world record. Behind him is Antoine Albeau in second place with 45.57 knots, followed by Gunnar Asmussen with 45.18 knots. The man from Flensburg is a sponsor of the event with his sailing workshop Sailmakers Dedication, and has new suppliers this year with FMX and NeilPryde.
New designs for new records
Open Ocean record holder Cedric Bordes is in sixth place after the first day on the canal, followed by Lüderitz newcomer Nils Bach. At 41.97 knots, Heidi Ulrich was a touch faster than world record holder Jenna Gibson (41.77). Ulrich and Bach, together with Vincent Valkenaers and Christian Arnold, make up the Patrik team, which has set itself ambitious goals under the title "Project 100" and has been equipped with a series of new speed shapes by shaper Patrik Diethelm. Antoine Albeau and Cedric Bordes also received a delivery of brand new Severne speedboards shortly before the event.
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More about speed surfing:
- These are the speed records in windsurfing
- The best tips for speed windsurfing from Andy Laufer
- From building contractor to speed surfer: how Andrea "Principe" Baldini became the "Prince of Speed"
- Speed surfing: "The ultimate goal is 100 km/h" - Interview with Antoine Albeau
- Jenna Gibson on the Lüderitz Speed Challenge and her world record
- "Speed is like ski jumping" - Interview with Gunnar Asmussen
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Earlier on Monday, many riders had already been out at Diaz Point - the spot on the open sea near the canal, which offers similar conditions and also works in slightly less wind. Even though the runs there are only about half as long and most of them had to resort to slightly wider boards, it was an ideal warm-up for familiarisation and testing. Christian Arnold from the Patrik team even achieved his personal best on the open sea.
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Björn Dunkerbeck at Diaz Point
Björn Dunkerbeck has not yet been on the channel, but sent a video of a warm-up session at Diaz Point. "First run after the long journey from Gran Canaria via Frankfurt to Windhoek, and then another 850 km drive in the van," he wrote. But even he can't wait to finally hit the canal!
All information about the Lüderitz Speed Challenge can be found here, live results are available at luderitz-speed.com/ranking-2025/!
