Matty V wrote: ↑Wed Nov 04, 2020 3:21 pm
so the edited video for entertainment that you are now analyzing? while Portland is indeed massive the actual area of flat water in that wind strength and direction is anything but massive.
a fair bit faster than 49.8kts? what would that speed look like?
do bear in mind that bar Sam hitting that speed and the other bloke doing over 50 are the two highest speeds there, only one other kiter has done over 50 in the UK at a better location so i am curious how much faster Sam could have gone for his first time on that kit.
I was analyzing the video for our benefit, but as i said, you don't need to see the video to know he was overpowered. The numbers tell the story.
A fair bit faster should have seen Sam edge a few knots off the current record. Say 54.755 kts
Luderitz, a Mecca for the world's fastest vs Portland Harbour Pros and Cons
Luderitz - Pros - ultra flat water and predictable high winds in November. Cons - dangerous narrow channel, dependant on wind direction, very remote location for most.
Portland Harbour, Pros - Sams local flat water spot, high wind potential, not wind dependant, accessible to many, relatively huge downwind runoff area. Cons - unreliable wind.
Sam did extremely well but his lack of experience in this discipline shows. The "go big or go home" mantra cost him a potentially higher speed. I have no doubt about that.
Portland gifted him with big wind, turbo gusts, flat water, plus a ton of downwind room for that last second broad-reach speed increase. This should have seen him come within a few knots of the world record.
Sam was gifted with great conditions yet he failed to yield the best from it. Not to take anything away from him of course, as every one knot increase becomes exponentially harder to achieve the faster you go.
The difference between 54knts and 57knts are worlds apart. The video is great entertainment, i enjoyed it and gave it a well deserved thumbs up, especially seeing as he wasn't even taking the whole idea that seriously to begin with, but it does go to show that even in the most ideal conditions it takes real skill and experience to pull off something truly special and I think Sam would agree.