Vincent Valkenaers gave it his all

27/11/2022

With a run timed at 53.08 knots on the Lüderitz Speed Challenge on Saturday, the Belgian Vincent Valkenaers came close to Antoine Albeau's record again but did not manage to make the difference during a day during which he gave everything!
Despite a very optimistic weather forecast on this Saturday at the Lüderitz Speed Challenge in Namibia, the conditions were far from optimal... Indeed, the programme included strong winds (50 knots with gusts up to 60 at times) but above all a lot of angle on the channel with a significant chop that hindered the competitors over the last 200 metres of the run. On a very technical run, it is the Belgian Vincent Valkenaers who distinguishes himself and who makes 20 runs. As the afternoon progressed, the counter went wild with 9 runs at more than 50 knots, including 5 at more than 51 and 1 at 53.08 knots, so close again to Antoine Albeau's 53.27 knots.
Despite all the motivation and perseverance of Vincent Valkenaers, nothing could be done and, as in 2019 with his 53.25 knots, he came very close to becoming the fastest windsurfer in the world. He leaves Hans Kreisel (50.75 knots) and Gunnar Asmussen (50.71 knots) far behind, while the German Melek Toraman takes advantage of this day to beat again the German women's record that she had beaten a few days earlier by bringing the time to 45.45 knots. Without forcing her talent, the Swiss Heidi Ulrich broke Zara Davis' previous record twice with 46.53 and 46.77 knots, proving that she is now the leader in speed among women...
Sunday, the last day of the Lüderitz Speed Challenge
with a not very optimistic weather forecast and an edition that should be marked by the new women's record of Heidi Ulrich and her 47.16 knots achieved on Friday 25 November, she whose courage and self-sacrifice allow her to achieve another great performance, having made some 107 runs in total, the record of this 2022 edition!

 

Source: Lüderitz Speed Challenge
Photo: Jaco Wolmarans

tags: Lüderitz Speed Challenge Lüderitz Heidi Ulrich Vincent Valkenaers

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