It depends a lot on the location. 50 knots in January in Ireland is probably like over 60 knots in the Canary Islands. Thomas Traversa is light, so it looks more like 40 knots when he is riding down the line, but other bits where they can't control their smallest sails in a plain jump must be over 50 knots (Irish wind). It probably gusted 70 knots+ during the day.
They didn't have small enough sails with them in Ireland. Traversa is taking a 2.5m to the next one.
Koster is 90 kg and has to change down to a 3.7m sail in this video so this would be genuine 50 knots in the Canaries and they have a lot more control.
gimmewind wrote:forgive me for not knowing how helicopters work but isn't it beyond dangerous to be in a helicopter in 70 knot wind?
No. As long as you are in a helicopter that can fly more than 70kts, which most easily can. Otherwise, you will find yourself going backwards relative to the ground!
Starting and stopping their rotors it in those winds might be outside the box for some helicopters though...