Kitesurfing Talent Competes

The Speed Challenge competition 2009 officially opened on the 31st of October at the Town Council Chambers. The competitors, organisers and some locals attended to celebrate the opening. Isaac Lucas, the tourism officer of Luderitz arranged the opening and also was the organisers’ contact here in Luderitz before they arrived, and was thanked profusely for his help with the competition.
The event started at 10.30am, although its scheduled time was 9am, on Saturday the 31st. Unfortunately there were only five people from Luderitz there, including the two of us and not many town councillors as many were on a visit to Sweden. All in all this was a poor turn out from the town, especially as the Luderitz Speed Challenge is such an asset for us, which was pointed out by the speakers at the opening. It was said that people from the town take Luderitz’s many positive aspects for granted, such as the strong wind, the close ocean and the beautiful landscape. Sebastian Cattelan, the organiser of the event took years searching for the best kitesurfing location and eventually found Luderitz in 2004 and started the Speed Challenge in 2007. This is the third year for the speed challenge to be held here. As ever records were hoped to be broken by the competitors, which there was a higher chance of happening this year as we have 25 competitors all here to kite surf, whereas last year there were 35 competitors, but that included windsurfers.
Sebastian Cattelan took the floor to thank the town for all their help and support. An upcoming gospel artist then performed from Rundu named Hendrik Dingi who is working on a new album, ‘On the right road’, who was very good. The man responsible for marketing the event then thanked the kite surfers for coming to Luderitz, for putting the town on the map in and out of the sporting world. He also stated that the event increases local business for people in the town, but he would like it to be marketed six months in advance, rather than the customary 2 weeks.
In order to increase interest of the event in the community he would like kite surfing workshops for children to occur in the coming years. However,there are arguments against his plans to get locals involved as Luderitz doesn’t seem the place to take up a wind related hobby due to the strong winds.
The kitesurfing competition has been in full swing all month, there has been many personal bests achieved, and records created and smashed for countries. Congratulations to Steffan Metzger from Luderitz who has beaten his personal best by reaching 40.21 knots. 50.95 knots was hit by Rob Douglas, which has created a new American record, but Alex Caizergues just beat him with a time of 50.98 knots, which is a new kiteboarding world record. The world outright speed sailing record of 51.36 knots, is still to be beaten though, so let’s hope during the last few days this can be achieved.
There has been plenty of perfect windy days, and lots of locals have been to the second lagoon to watch, support and be entertained throughout the month.
We are thoroughly disappointed we won’t be here for next year’s competition. We wish them all the best of luck for the final days of the competition.•