Maui GPS V-Max Speed Challenge Series: #8

Maui, HI — Two time world speed record holder Erik Beale tops the weekend’s
speed chart with 37.4 knots The 2 day speed session was held over the weekend
with good wind and tide forecasts.  This attracted a bumper crop of racers
including 14 new faces.  Most of the fastest speeds were set on the Saturday
with easterly winds in the 25 -30 kt range with slightly higher gusts.  Many
personal best speeds were set. 

Sunday the wind was a better north-east angle but down around 5 kts to 20 – 25
kts. Topping the list on Saturday was challenge organizer Erik Beale with 37. 4
kts.  Erik: “I was stuck at 35 kts for the longest time, then a section of flat
water opened up between the waves with a big puff of wind and all of a sudden I
was at the other end of the reef – downtown”.  Hot on his heels was Alex Aguera
at 36.6 kts,he ran the lower reef repeatedly in search of the perfect run. 
Alex: “it only lined up occasionally,it was hard to find both the flat water
and the gust”. Peter John was 3rd at 36.3 kts improving his personal best by a
couple of knots.  Peter: “With a bit more wind we should be able to go 38 kts
no problems”Patric Bergeron set fastest wave speed of 31.2 kts on Saturday but
was caught napping by Fred Haywood on Sunday,Fred posted a 31. 6 kts for
fastest wave speed of the weekend.  Fred:”Patric’s board looks real flat for a
wave board- looks like one of my round pintail speed boards from the 80’s”. It
was good to see Fred out there, he has not competed since the early 90’s. In
October 1983 Fred Haywood became the first windsurfer to break 30 knots at
Weymoth speed-week in England.  He was the inspiration for Erik Beale to start
speedsailing.

In November 1988 Erik became the first windsurfer to break 40 knots on the
canal at St Marie de la mer , France.  His 40. 48 kts was the first outright
world sailing speed record over 40 knots. Interesting that Fred can break his
own speed record on wave gear. Fastest woman was Carine Camboulives at 26.2
kts, trying speed sailing for the first time she got so stoked, she sailed all
day upping her speed by 3 kts over the course of the day. Other personal bests
this weekend included Hot sail’s designer Tom Hammerton at 34.3 kts.

We are contemplating other sessions perhaps once a month throughout the rest of
the year to allow other racers currently off island to get some runs in.

RESULTS:
Place   Name Nationality Division Equipment Speed  
1.    Erik Beale GBR Pro  Speed  37.4 kts  
2.    Alex Aguera USA Pro  Speed  36.6 kts  
3.    Peter John NZL Pro  Slalom 36.3 kts  
4.    Elon Wong SIN Am  Slalom 35.7 kts  
5.    Tom Hammerton GBR Am  Speed  34.3 kts  
6.    Fred Haywood USA Pro  Wave  31.6 kts  
7.    Patrick Bergeron  CAN Pro  Wave  31.2 kts  
8.    Matt Wicks GBR Am  Wave  31.1 kts  
9.    Giampaolo Cammarota ITA Am  Slalom 29.3 kts  
10.    Tom James USA Am  Wave  29.0 kts  
11.    Tom Garcia USA Am  Wave  28.9 kts  
12.    Nico Dramisio ARG Am  Wave  28.9 kts  
13.    Larry Herbig USA Am  Wave  28.4 kts  
14.    Derek Vana USA Am  Wave  27.1 kts  
15.    Carine Camboulives FRA Pro-Women Wave  26.2 kts  
16.    Horacio ARG Am  Wave  26.2 kts  
17.    Polo Schneidlwind GER Am  Wave  26.0 kts  
18.    Carl Grundy GBR Am  Wave  25.8 kts  
19.    Richard Meagher IRE Am  Wave  25.6 kts  
20.    David Meagher IRE Am  Wave  24.9 kts  
21.    Danny Keevil USA Am  Wave  24.5 kts  
22.    Karen Bennett USA Am-Women Wave  24.4 kts  
23.    Laurent Guillermin FRA AM Wave  23.7 kts  
24.    Ian Haywood USA AM Wave  18.4 kts  
25.    Kristin Mccleery USA Am-Women Wave  12.8 kts