Speed surfing: Gunnar Asmussen and Nicole Strehling win the third round of the Dunkerbeck Speed Challenge
SURF Redaktion
· 11.12.2023
The Lüderitz Speed Challenge on the canal did not produce a record tide this year, but Gunnar Asmussen still sailed to the top of the third part of the Dunkerbeck Speed Challenge 2023 in Namibia. On the open sea at Diaz Point, the Flensburg native achieved an average speed of 49.34 knots over 250 metres and thus secured victory ahead of Hans Kreisel and Vincent Valkenaers, who both achieved their respective best values on the Grevelingenmeer near Ouddorp.
Nicole Strehling with a surprise victory in the women's competition
Australian Nicole Strehling, a largely unknown newcomer, won the women's event. She set the best time of 38.42 knots in Albany in south-west Australia. "We actually wanted to go straight to Gero, but my speed friends drew my attention to a good wind forecast near Albany. The Albany speed spot is pretty flat because of all the seaweed, so you have to find the best middle ground between the seaweed and the waves for the magic run," she reported on the Speed Challenge website. Nicole Strehling has now fully caught the speed virus: "For a long time, I had a lot of fun riding as fast as possible with my old freeride equipment. In the last two years, I've started to consistently orientate my equipment towards the highest possible speeds."
In second place behind Strehling was Melek Toraman, who was also the best Grand Mater. Long-time winner Heidi Ulrich took a break this time.
Brendan Lorho, who recently caused a stir with a take-off in La Palme, won the junior 15 to 18 category. Jan Wim Becker came third in this category. Nicolas Goyard won the Foil category, while Joshua Pretorius was first in the Winger category. Thomas Moldenhauer was named best Super Master and Georg Nassauer best Ultimate Master. Christian Hirschberg came third in the Grand Masters.
All results under surfbd.com/dunkerbeck-speed-challenge
