It was obvious from the onset that today was going to be a different day. The locals and other spectators were already at the beach before many of the riders got there, and on only the third timed run of the day, yesterday’s best time was beaten. The wind was blowing a lot harder so many riders switched to smaller (7 to 9 meter) kites, and quickly many riders started having their fastest runs thus far.
As the day progressed, riders started recording faster and faster times, and after almost three hours the 50 knot barrier fell again...twice. Alex Caizergues did it first, recording a time of 50 knots, and blowing it all wide open. Catman almost did it shortly thereafter, close on his heals, recording an impressive 49.5
With the wind still blowing hard, everyone was wondering if today would be the day.
It looked like it was going to be an all French affair, until Rob Douglas of the U.S.A. became the second rider of the day to break the 50 knot barrier, when he recorded a time of 50.5 knots, and became the new leader on the day. But it wasn’t over yet.
Thirty minutes later, and shortly before the strip closed for the day, Alex Caizergues completed another unbelievable run of 51 knots, which obviously finished as the best run of the day. At the time of writing, these times are all unofficial and unratified, and they need to be corrected for current, but what this means is that, should Alex’s time stand, we could have a new world kiteboarding record. Similarly, if Rob’s time stands, it would be good enough for a new American national record.
Tomorrow official (but unratified) results will be available, and likewise clarification on what new records were set will also be made available. But maybe it won’t matter, as tomorrow the wind is forecasted to come through just as hard, and it’s very possible that the best is yet to come.
