Lüderitz Speed Challenge: World records for Albeau and Gibson, German record for Asmussen!

1 December could have been the day the speed elite had been waiting so long for - 50 knots of wind blew in a perfect direction over the Lüderitz speed strip. And the wait was apparently worth it, because with 53.49 knots (99.06 km/h), French veteran Antoine Albeau significantly improved on his own world record from 2015 (53.27 knots). Albeau broke the 53-knot barrier three times during the course of the day, and with his tenth run of the day he finally set the (still unofficial) new world record. There also appears to be a new best time in the women's event: Jenna Gibson from Great Britain was the fastest woman with 47.58 knots (88.12 km/h) was faster over the 500 metre course than any woman before her.

Gunnar Asmussen from Flensburg also had reason to celebrate at first, as he also put in a whole series of high-speed rides. He achieved his fastest time in the eleventh attempt, 52.69 knots (97.58 km/h), which would be a new German record. Karo van Tonder set a new record for women from South Africa with 45.83 knots, while Brendan Lorho, aged just 19, broke the 50-knot barrier and not only set a personal best with 50.62 knots, but also a new U21 world record. Simon Pettifer also set a new personal best with 48.89 knots. Unfortunately, Björn Dunkerbeck was no longer on site.

• These are the speed records in windsurfing

The new records apparently still stand even after the final verification of the video recordings. Antoine Albeau posted a message to this effect. Background: A few days ago, he had already chased down the canal in supposed record time. However, the 53.38 knots measured were not confirmed after analysing the video recordings.

More about the Lüderitz Speed Challenge 2024:

• Preliminary report: Lüderitz Speed Challenge underway - Dunkerbeck and Albeau on the hunt for records
• Björn Dunkerbeck reports from Lüderitz - Albeau records first top result
• Are the record days coming? Dunki reports from Namibia
• New world record for Jenna Gibson - will there be more records today?
• But no world record for Albeau - Dunkerbeck struggles with the water level