Lüderitz Speed Challenge: Are the record days coming? Dunki reports from Namibia

Nothing happened on the speed channel in Lüderitz for almost a week, but a few runs were scored again at the weekend. Always at the front: Antoine Albeau, still the current world record holder and leader of the Lüderitz Speed Challenge 2024, but Gunnar Asmussen came very close to A2 on Saturday, even though he was unable to set a new record for this year with 45.64 knots. "Speed surfing is just awesome, especially here in Lüderitz," said Gunnar to Björn. "I can hardly wait to feel the board flying again. I have big plans for this year, I can't wait to keep pushing my top speeds up!"

Asmussen's best run puts him in second place in the current ranking ahead of Björn Dunkerbeck, who also achieved a top score of 44.37 knots on Saturday. Lurking just behind him is 19-year-old Brendan Lorho from France: "For being my first year on the canal, I'm really enjoying it!" said the youngster happily to Björn. "I like it. Deep enough, safe and damn fast! I love the spot!"

Pushing your personal limits

In fifth and sixth place are Simon Pettifer and Jenna Gibson from Great Britain, who also know almost perfect speed conditions at their home spot in Weymouth. "I set all my personal best times this week," says Jenna. "It wasn't really windy yet, but the conditions we had here on the 'bad' days were still faster than anywhere else in the world, my best 500 time was 39.89 knots in La Palme. I've set a new best time on the channel almost every day this week!"

The conditions we had here on the 'bad' days were still faster than anywhere else in the world." (Jenna Gibson)

Gibson is also looking forward to the coming days and optimal conditions. "I've experienced that magical moment that everyone talks about when you get flat water, accompanied by a big gust that accelerates you all the way down the course, getting faster and faster. It's an incredible feeling that I'm already addicted to." Her goal for Lüderitz? "I came here to push my personal limits, I would love to break the women's world record. But in the end I just want to be happy with my performance. If I can stay within 2.5 knots of my friend Simon, then I'll be happy, that's a good benchmark for me!"

• Report of the first days: Björn Dunkerbeck reports from Lüderitz - Albeau records first top result

Will we see a new world record this week?

However, the forecasts promise almost perfect conditions for the beginning of this week. Björn Dunkerbeck describes the prospects for Lüderitz: "Now the days are getting better and better, and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are the best forecast. So we can expect good, hopefully very fast runs on the speed channel!" says Björn in his exclusive insights for surf. "If the wind direction and strength turns out the way it looks, we're going to have a lot of fun!"

In terms of equipment, Björn and some other riders have upgraded again: "I have now been able to test my new Starboard iSonic in 40cm width, and also my new 5.5 Severne Mach 8!" Karo van Tonder already posted pictures of her one-off 4.8 slalom sail last week and has high hopes for the forecast conditions: "I'm super excited about the coming days in Lüderitz! We have a record-breaking wind force and a good angle forecast. This could be the opportunity we've been waiting for the last month. The channel looks very good to break some records!"

• You can follow the speeds at the Lüderitz Speed Challenge live here

Many used the waiting time last week for more test runs at Diaz Point on the open sea, and there was also a team evening, a commemoration of speed surfer and long-time Lüderitz starter Farrel O'Shea and a cinema evening with Björn Dunkerbeck's documentary "Born To Windsurf".

Meet the Riders: Roger Örnvang, SWE 52

Björn also introduces us to some of the participants in the Lüderitz Speed Challenge, this time Roger Örnvang from Sweden: "I've been taking part in the Lüderitz Speed Challenge for ten years now, my first year in Lüderitz was 2013. I've been kitespeeding for six years and set the Swedish kitespeed record over 500 metres at 44.61 knots.

In 2018 I wanted to start windsurfing again, I had been doing it for 25 years but stopped in 2000 for kitesurfing. I bought new windsurfing equipment and in 2020 I told my friends here at the Lüderitz Speed Challenge that I wanted to try real speed windsurfing! So I booked my ticket for the LSC 2021 and a little later I flew across the channel for the first time on a windsurfing speedboard, with 47.3 knots top speed and 43.68 knots over 500m. I was thrilled by this fantastic adrenaline rush! Last year, I set a new personal best: 48.6 knots top speed and 44.29 knots over 500 metres.

My love of speed surfing also took me to France to the "Prince of Speed", where I hold the Swedish record for the nautical mile in both kitesurfing and windsurfing at 36.86 knots. My company R-Tech Solution AB has sponsored the Lüderitz Speed Challenge, the Prince of Speed and the Dunkerbeck GPS Speedchallenge for many years! We have the most fantastic camaraderie and enjoy the adrenaline, excitement, joy, happiness and the feeling of speed on the water together."

Lüderitz Speed Challenge 2024: Intermediate standings 24.11.

1. Antoine Albeau (46.30 knots)
2. Gunnar Asmussen (45.64 knots)
3. Björn Dunkerbeck (44.37 knots)
4. Brendan Lorho (44.13 knots)
5. Simon Pettifer (42.58 knots)
6. Jenna Gibson (42.57 knots)
7. Thomas Moldenhauer (42.03 knots)
8. Karo van Tonder (41.05 knots)
9. Roger Örnvang (39.00 knots)
10. Charles van Tonder (38.82 knots)
11. Momar Diagne (35.64 knots)