Fifty knots plus for Vestas Sailrocket 2

On only her fourth run with her new foil package, East Cowes built VESTAS Sailrocket 2 posted her personal best time of 50.98 knots over a 500 metre course with a peak speed of 53 knots.

Whilst the team is still dialling in the boat, these times are unofficial (not ratified by the WSSRC who govern the sport). Nonetheless, the speeds would comfortably surpass the current Australian record for Larsen as well as his better his own Class 'B' record. The time puts VESTAS Sailrocket 2 (VSR2) only 0.4 knots behind trimaran L’Hydroptere's best 500 metre time. This means L’Hydroptere is still the fastest sailing 'boat' in the world... but only just!

The Outright World Speed Sailing Record is still over 4.5 knots away. The team are aiming for over 60 knots so are still frustrated by these speeds in the low 50's. They believe there is a 'glass ceiling' there. The hydrodynamic equivalent of the sound barrier. Everything about VSR2 is about breaking through this. Although this run was relatively fast, it did not show them that they had achieved this breakthrough... but... it was only their fourth run. The quest continues.

Top photo: copyright Helena Darvelid / Vestas Sailrocket.