A new challenge, passing the 58-knot bar!
In the summer of 2017, in Oman, Alexandre Caizergues was crowned Kitespeed World Champion for the fourth time. After two years of absence due to the calendar and the weather, the Salt and Speed makes its return to Salin-de-Giraud, the famous spot where, during the 3rd edition of the event, Alex Caizergues had set the world speed record in Kitesurfing over 500 meters, with the hallucinating average speed of 56.62 knots. His new challenge? Beat the world speed record and pass the 58-knot bar!
"Clearly, it's almost impossible to go for this record, because we're not fighting with the same weapons, but to manage to reduce the gap is still important. I don't forget that when I became the first man to break the 100 km/wind-powered barrier, I improved the record by three knots in one go, so nothing is infeasible. Even so, it would be very presumptuous to announce that I want to beat it. Reasonably, I think we can imagine reaching 58 knots, with a top speed of more than 60 knots, which would already be extraordinary" said the kitesurfer during training.
On stand-by at the Salin-de-Giraud site (Bouches-du-Rhône), the Provencal rider accompanied by the French Charlotte Consorti, holder of the women's record since 2010 with an average speed of 50.43 knots, was waiting for the right weather window.
And it arrived this Monday, November 13th!
A new world record
On Monday 13 November, Alexandre Caizergues became the new speed record holder by reaching an average speed of 57.97 knots, i.e. around 107.36 km/h over 500 m! He improved on his previous record of 56.62 knots (104.8 km/h) set on 11 November 2013.
A record achieved in Dantesque conditions, in a mistral sometimes blowing at more than 50 knots. Charlotte Consorti, holder of the women's record, and Alexandre Caizergues ran one run after the other all day, approaching incredible speeds for sportsmen pulled by a wing.
"What a great Monday! It's great! Unlike 2013 where I only did one big run, yesterday I was three times over 57 knots over 500 metres! I'm very, very happy. This new record is the result of a lot of work in training and with my technical partners. We had a great team in the organisation of this crazy session. I would like to thank all the Salt and Speed staff, the event partners and my own supporters. The Salt and Speed continues until the beginning of December. The 60 knot bar is not far away." said the French rider.
Always higher
The Salt and Speed act 5 started in the right way, but still holds some nice surprises if we are to believe Alexandre Caizergues. Indeed, the latter has set himself an incredible goal, that of getting closer to the absolute sailing speed record held since autumn 2012 by the multihull Vestas Sailrocket 2 (65.45 knots)!
The French duo will soon be joined by the American Rod Douglas. With the one who was nicknamed the "Usain Bolt" of kite, they hope to go even faster in the next few days.
