The weather window we were hoping for has fizzled out so we have decided to head back to the UK early.

We knew that there was going to be less liklihood of good sailing days at this time of year but decided to stay on just in case. We were looking forward to the upcoming weekend but things look set to continue weather-wise. Our resources could be better applied if we return in early mid August.

VESTAS SAILROCKET is already packed away inside her container and the operational area has been disassembled.

We will use the time wisely in the UK to review what has happened and what is to come. Whilst we haven't hit the speeds we were hoping for.... we haven't hit any brick walls either. The boat and team in general has come a long way in the past four months. Speeds well over 40 knots are now a common occurrence and I personally feel that we are ready to make another significant performance jump.

I know I keep saying it, but speed WILL come with control... and I feel we are getting close to having the necessary control to steer with precision at high speeds. Part of the joblist over the coming weeks will be to install sensors on the foils to give a better indication of what the balance of the boat is like.

The accident that occurred on Run 50 was simply that... an unpredicted accident. We have since load tested the whole skeg assembly to over 185 kg of side load half way down its span and there was no sign of it breaking.

Whilst our goal is simply to be the fastest whatever that speed need be, we are very aware that there is a race on to be the first to 50. We will be back in action as soon as the conditions are back. So the ball is pretty much in Hydroptere's court now. We sincerely wish them well as their passion, dedication and openess is a great model for achieving success way beyond mere speed sailing circles. We hope they go fast... but not that fast just yet!!!

The coming weeks will also allow us time to put together some videos which will be posted when done (remember my laptop got stolen and it has been quite a hindrance in the video editing department).

So hopefully it will only be a relatively temporary departure from speed-spot and once again, as usual, we will come back much stronger for it.

Cheers, Paul.

Hi all,

Helena and I have just returned from three days trekking out in Damara Land about 200 km's North of Walvis Bay... and it was spectacular. Ah the solitude, the silence of the sunsets over spectacular vistas and the appreciation of simple pleasures like a fresh cup of tea... It was the perfect break.

Anyway, we are back... and sure enough, some things have changed in the world of speed sailing since we have been away. The WSSRC (governing body) have added a rule which basically says that the 500m outright record course must be in water over 50 cm deep (my knee joint begins at 50cm high). This effectively eliminates the possibility of wind and kite surfers from getting any benefits from ground effect in one form or another. Now like all rules it can be debated and pushed. Carrying a 50 or even 40 cm fin on a sailboard for speed sailing purposes is not viable... but it might be on another type of craft i.e. ours.

The fact is that there is a performance advantage for some craft when sailing in shallow water as they gain efficiency. We questioned the WSSRC about this some time ago and were advised that they were on the case. We are of the opinion that the outright speed sailing record for waterborne craft should be kept pure. By 'pure' I mean it should simply be the interaction of wind and water on a craft. The proximity of ground (or any other body)and its effect on the dynamics of the craft is known and it is real. To allow certain craft to push this corner of the rule would be to pollute the 'purity' of what this particular record is trying to achieve. Water could simply become a lubricant between the wind and the 'ground' (ground in one form or another). Now I see a lot of moaning on some forums from certain elements of the speed sailing fraternity who currently benefit from shallow water and a lot of their arguements I can sympathise with... but the fact is that the rule needed to get a little more specific. These same parties would be moaning their backsides off if some team of university students wanted to make a point and push the definition of shallow water much harder than they already have by building specific craft and courses to gain maximum advantage from this effect.

It does make it difficult for wind/kite surfers to determine what a viable course is i.e. "How close did you come in to the shore on that last run"? I have watched both disciplines very closely here on the Walvis Bay speed-course and noted the depth that they sail in. Typically, the windsurfers would be OK but the kitesurfers would fall foul (Many of the windsurfers would also on some runs). The fact still remains that they will still be able to sail in much shallower and hence flatter water than we could ever wish for. We draw slightly over 60 cm when planing... and generally are considering ourselves on the edge when we are in less than a meter. As far as finding the best water goes... they still have quite an edge.

I don't know if '50 cm' is the right amount and I'm sure that there will be plenty of debate on the subject. Whatever they all settle on, I personally think that it is a step in the right direction to maintain the aforementioned 'purity' of what a waterborne sailing craft is intended to be.

Now... what about the 'balloon-dragging-a-string-in-a-storm' clause?

The weather forecast still looks pretty average and we have to debate whether we should return to the UK earlier or later than planned. The useable tides are starting to creep into the afternoon again... but the wind is still absent.

Decisions, decisions.

Cheers, Paul

Well, yesterday was our last chance to sail on these tides until the next set return early next week. There hasn't been much wind anyway. the fact is that we have probably overstayed our cureent weather window welcome.

We are considering returning to the UK in the near future as our time will be better spent if we return in the windier periods. I would expect to be back in mid-August.

We will save that decision for now. VESTAS SAILROCKET is fully prepped for her next outing. We nearly got out yesterday but the wind fizzled. The absence of both wind and water over the next few days, mixed with the fact that the boat is in good shape... will allow us the rare luxury to make a foray out into the big, beautiful and ever beckoning desert. We want to see some wildlife and get our heads out of the container and away from the boat for a change.

We will make the call on whether we return to the UK based upon the weather forecast we get when we come back in a few days.

Cheers, Paul.

We are sitting here in a steady state of 'stand-by'. Every day we carry on with the tweaking whilst we wait. We didn't expect to still be here as this is not the season for good winds. We lost a month at the start of this session due to an unusual lack of wind and we have been trying at every opportunity to make the next break-through to take us further up the speed ladder.

I honestly feel that we are on the brink of a significant gain and thus find it difficult to walk away... even temporarily. we have a couple of days left on this set of afternoon tides... and then we have to wait through the afternoon low tides for the next session. If there is no wind for that week of opportunity then we will be forced to head back to the UK and spend our resources on a windier time of the year.

Fingers crossed for wind

Cheers, Paul.