The Publisher
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Dec 4, 2008, 2:38 PM
Post #4 of 8
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Re: [The Publisher] 50 knot Barrier
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Dated 4th December 2008
From:
Rob Munro, Naish Africa
To:
Mr John Reed - Secretary to the WSSRC (World Speed Sailing Record Council)
Mr Pels - Secretary to ISAF (International Sailing Federation)
Dear Mr Reed / Mr Pels
Regarding your recent decision about Kite Sailing and the implementation of the Ground Effect rule.
It is clear that the methods employed by your Commissioner during the Luderitz Speed Challenge, Namibia, set a precedent regarding the measurement of the craft. Mr Michael Ellison produced the 15cm depth based on the Beam Width of our boards and the depth of our fins. However, he also measured other kiteboards which were not being used to compete and took the average of all boards at the event as it is clear that your organisation is unable to actually measure this so called "unfair advantage" properly and of course accurately.
So, by doing so, the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) should now adopt this method and employ it to all craft undertaking WSSRC Record Challenges. We have taken data from the L'Hydroptere site and come up with the following, which is along the same lines as Mr Ellison's in Luderitz.
Her foils are 5.7m long and going with the same argumentation like the maximum width measurement on kite boards and windsurfers you would have to take the length of the foil as the maximum measurement for the lifting surface width as the trimaran could heel over in a gust. Other factors to consider for L'Hydroptere is the draft the foils run at as they bring the lifting foils closer to the ground. The maximum draft of Hydroptere is 3.6m, but riding on foils the craft is a lot higher. With the same line of worst case scenario thinking the maximum draft should be added to the minimum depth required. By our estimation L'Hydroptere should be sailing in a minimum of 6m water depth to fit into the minimum water depth rule.
To use the maximum beam of the craft which is 24m does not make sense from a technical point of view to calculate any influence by ground effect. The rest of the craft is not a lifting surface, not even in a worst case scenario. Sailing a boat of that size and those dimensions, we still think 6m depth would get our hearts racing, as grounding would have such fatal and expensive consequences. To make sure the boat has sailed in deep enough water it shouldn't be a problem to provide a depth sounder profile of the actual record run and to cross check with charts [and a reasonable margin]. However, if you do not have the Soundings for the actual run, they cannot show that the course sailed and claimed was actually valid. This is something you cannot simply sweep under the carpet.
You rules state:
"At the time of the run in question, the shallowest part of the course must be covered by water with a depth of at least half the static immersed beam of the craft involved, or 10cm, whichever is the greater."
According to your rules, the Static or Immersed beam would make Hydroptere's actual beam width about 24m creating a 12m depth minimum? Which is it? 6m or 12m?
As stated before, please supply the sailing world with the actual data for L'Hydroptere's Record runs and if you are not able to do so, please withdraw the world record and/or class records of L'Hydroptere with immediate effect. We further demand that all craft sailing under the WSSRC's guise should from this day forward be required to use depth sounders or other methods at the disposal of the Commissioners to ensure water depth is adhered to during each and every run. During the Luderitz speed Challenge, your commissioner used a tyre and a buoy, and although he stood at only one point of the course, he did cancel runs where he felt the water was too shallow.
As stated in the WSSRC's Constitution, section 4, part b (Duties.)
"To appoint International Commissioners to ensure fair play."
We demand you to act under your constitutional duty! It is totally unacceptable for your organisations to continue to treat Kite Sailors one way and all other craft differently. It is completely against the Fair Play rule set out in your constitution. If L'Hydroptere is not able to show the details of their foils and the depth of the waters during their record runs, their records are not VALID. If I was the former holder of the Nautical Mile World Record, Bjorn Dunkerbeck, I would certainly challenge the validity of L'Hydroptere's run as it is not conforming to the rules of the WSSRC.
It is a shame that some areas of the sailing world wish to cheat their way into the record books through trying to buy the Outright Record. Kite Sailors are currently the fastest craft in the World, both in Men's and Women's categories, we DO own the Outright Speed Sailing Record. Sebastien Cattelan was the first person to officially break through the 50knot barrier for the 500m Title, and Alex Caizergues went on to finish the fastest with 50.57kts! These are facts, nothing more, nothing less. All of our runs were vetted and watched by a WSSRC Commissioner and we played along to your ever changing rules being dictated to you by large yacht syndicates.
This is all about fairness and compliance, and so far we do not believe that your oganisation is providing accurate records, data or the employment of fair play.
Signed
Rob Munro
WSSRC website: http://www.sailspeedrecords.com/
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