Who's record this will be, sailors or kiters?

[Toby]

[Matty V]

Sailing

It’s just a kite for propulsion, it’s attached directly to the craft like a mast and sail on a boat.

Benoit isn’t calling the boat a kite surfer so I do t see how it’s even a question

[edt]

good luck I hope they don't get injured. I remember the sailrocket 1 went airborne and crashed at 50 knots back in 2008 and it was not until 2012 that they were able to figure out the design flaws and set the current world record. It's hard to imagine what will happen if their craft explodes into carbon fiber dust at 80 knots. Be careful guys! If I remember correctly the sailrocket was not claimed to even be a sailboat by traditional sailors and just said it was a "vehicle" not an actual sailboat. This one will also not be a "boat" or a "sailboat" but instead a wind propelled craft, one that neither kiters nor sailors will claim as one of their own. There's a reason nobody is able to break this outright wind speed record, it's dangerous and expensive.

[bragnouff]

It's both!
Kiting is just a subset of sailing. And those projects are lead by avid kiters. So it's a very blurry line between sailors and kiters (if you really feel the need to draw a line).
Also check Alex Caizergues Syroco project, https://syro.co/en/speed-record/ The next year or two will be hot on the speed front!

[JakeFarley]

Will they be able to overcome the drag from the kite and lines to be able to reach 80 knots? I don't know but am a bit skeptical. Just saying.

[Toby]

I wonder about the flat water...they need a longer coastline with offshore winds...otherwise too wavy...

[Baptiste_FR]

It's both!
Kiting is just a subset of sailing. And those projects are lead by avid kiters. So it's a very blurry line between sailors and kiters (if you really feel the need to draw a line).
Also check Alex Caizergues Syroco project, https://syro.co/en/speed-record/ The next year or two will be hot on the speed front!

I think the potential is higher for the Syroco project to break the record since it's a capsule that is not in contact with water. But it seems more tehcnical to ride.