Luderitz 2013 ... dreams left in the drawer ...
What many considered the most awaited Attempt record in the history of speed has just ended. Unfortunately the wind did not want to play the role of the hero ... especially in 4 pro weeks ...
Our Prince, one of 20 pro, here comes for us, exclusively, interviewed by his friend Karim Cirillo.
Karim Cyril: hello Prince, Welcome back! Point-blank question: how come this year did not make the usual strong wind in Luderitz?
Principle: good morning to you to all RIW readers!!!
This year things did not go as planned thanks to the high pressure of Sant'Helena that had placed, in the last three weeks of the event, in the right place to block any low pressure wanted to arrive ... so instead of having the usual stable wind reinforced by thermal, we only had very gusty thermals that blew almost every day on the 20 knots at sea (and two – three times on 40) ... but 100 meters closer to the hills where is the canal arrived on the 5-15 ( and on good days 15-35) ... with slalom, at sea, you would have gone out 15 days out 23 with maximum 7.1.
K.C.: I heard that there were a lot of people and there was a bit of nervousness.
P.: a bit 'you ... and even the atmosphere that you breathed in the few days of navigation was not the best. 25 people queuing from 30 a 40 minutes before entering the water, about 30 seconds per head of availability to do the jump or water start and glide in an area where the wind could be from 3 a 30 nodes. If I enter 30 meters you could not leave you went back to the queue and this could also happen 2-3 consecutive times with the consequence of staying also 2 now without being able to enter the water … and here the good moment in the three days of official opening lasted about 40 minutes.
Too much nervousness ... and unfortunately also some "small" impropriety tending to weaken mentally or technically what someone mistakenly considered "the opponent" ... Nice things have also been seen, how to disappear my newly arrived fin or season with engine oil the screws of the straps, the straps and the fin of Hans' best table ... until the departure of Nick's navigator ...
This is also the result of the fact that some have tried to change the cards on the table by trying to transform, in words, (wrongly thinking that it brought more media success) what is a pure record attempt in a race with a daily ranking.
How much more wrong ... In record attempts the atmosphere is fundamental ... I will be a romantic ... but when hearts are pure and courageous ... even Nature is easier to turn on our side ...
When the atmosphere is perfect ... often the results also arrive ... because everyone can express himself at his best ... and large numbers combine more easily ...
And in the end it's them, the big numbers, that give popularity to the event.
In record attempts you try to refine your equipment while waiting for the big day ... because then in the end it's just that ... importantly... on the day of the Grail ... the day of truth ... that sometimes comes ... and others not ... the enemy is represented by his own limits: physicists, mental and technical ... you charge each other ... is a common adventure with distinct individual paths. Comparison with others, in case, if you pose ... it will only be in case of records ... and games made.
K.C.: how many days you entered the water with the official timing open?
P.: We say 3 but in practice 1 and 3/4 ... The first day of wind was the 1 November.
The first to enter the water were Bjorn and Hans Kreisel towards the 12,40 when the wind was still light: 39knts Bjorn and 37knts Hans ... I'll be in too, under-revealed with the 5.0 and despite starting pumping I end up with 39.5kts on average my first run in the Luderitz Canal.
The second run sees just before my start a bit of maretta because some Big did not respect the line and someone else screamed ... I leave nervous and just before the finish line I fall to about 43kts in speed bringing back a small crack to a rib ... oh well I think ... so I have several 
close the run rolling in the last 30mt at 40kts on average.
Unfortunately then for an hour the pain made me wrong 2-3 departures and I was queuing in the moment with more wind ... So disappointed and a bit inc... to I took the car and I placed myself at the end of the canal to see the water conditions ... They had improved a lot!!!
The time to get back in line and the wind drops in intensity ... together with the times of the riders!
So I decide to put the gopro in my head and with the 5.0 Do 3 run at about the same speed: among the 41,5 and 42kts average with 43.6kts peak ... And I think: not bad this 5 ... I can't wait for the wind to arrive!!!
Everyone else was with the 5.8.
K.C.: but why didn't you do some runs with the 5.8?
P.: seeking glory with the 5.8 it leads to nothing ... for me to do 47 or 42 it was almost irrelevant (at least in the first two weeks ... ) ... I, perhaps bypassing me, well other ambitions ... refine the 5.0 could open the doors to the dream ...
Who would have expected that november 1st would be the only windy day above the 30 nodes!!! …
Anyway I had disappeared more my new 400 for the 5.8 and therefore even if I wanted I could not use it ... I found it several days later because mistakenly another rider had put it in another container thinking it was his friend's (I had left him outside under the tent ... While I went to make myself a sandwich) ... Happen...
K.C.: and the other two days?
P.: we were busy making the calendar 
))))))
K.C.: hahahaha I meant navigation
P.: the second day of wind was the 7 November... Wind already from the morning ... I think: go today walk!!! I still arm the 5.0 changing the trim of the slats and I approach the start ... but before me enter Albeau, Anders and a couple more guys...
I do a run that starts well ... then the wind dies in the middle ... to return beautiful powerful in the last 100mt ... incredibly I was among the fastest of the moment with Antoine 39, Unlike 40,8 and I 40,04 and it was just the 13 ... so there was a great chance that the wind would come strong and I already dreamed of a nice run in a great way ... My GPS marked 44 peak and there were only 20-25 knots of great lasco ... and with the war chop ...
Unfortunately, however, immediately after a very bad thing happened: at the time of leaving for my second run (with more wind and less angle in the stern), I saw a dear friend of mine being thrown into the air by a gust with her kite ... the landing was so hard that he got his tibia out of the wetsuit ... we feared for the worst... and about some of us, after first aid, the cheeks got wet with pain ...
With Anders we spend a few hours in the hospital until we are sure that everything will be fine ... and apart from the fracture in the leg finally tell us, Thank God, that there are no serious injuries on the spine ...
A hug Sophie, we all love you!!! The first words he spoke were: I'm so sorry ... I'm so sorry ... she apologized a thousand times ... what a woman ... big heart ... great courage ... great sense of duty.
But we at that time did not think that his health ... and the speed seemed so far away ... like Italian football ...
Once the medical process has been successfully started, in the late afternoon Anders and I return to the canal ... and we want to throw ourselves into the water to wash that sense of restlessness that had entered us with evil intensity ...
Almost no wind in the evening ... we do a run almost together with the relevant speed of 30 kts: almost a record with a 41cm board
Then there were two more half days but with wind but never above the 30 nodes ...
I used the wing sail of 4,85 meters that I had already tried at the beginning in two days with ultra light wind ... left before a 5.8 and gave me back the smile for the tranquility and pleasure with which it is carried: accelerates which is a pleasure ... stay tuned!!!
Only the 17 November I used the 5.8 Aero 2014 also doing a great top speed that I prefer to keep to myself ... but unfortunately with an average of the first 250mt of about 28 kts thanks to the wind pierced ...
I close the run on the 37kts and decide that it's time to pack ...
K.C.: who impressed you positively?
P.: certainly Alberto Possati and Francesco D'Urso who managed to make two great runs despite, in recent years, do not practice discipline with the same assiduity as everyone else: Good!!!
Francis I did not see ... he was the first week and I the last three ... But Alberto that first November was radiant like a Knight who felt the strength of victory in his sword.: Immense!!!
I was then hit by Nick Vardalachos
that I found in great shape, as well as Farrel O'Shea; great Jurien Van der Nord and Hans Kreisel
which confirms his speed skills ...
Anders has found a second youth and incredibly has even improved his already stellar style!!!
Congratulations to all!!!
A special hug to Anders Biorkqvist and Daniel Borgeling who helped me in my dark moments ... when the ghosts wanted to be the masters ...
And congratulations to Zara Davis that even with a knee out of order went like a lightning bolt!!!
K.C.: could you describe the typical day when sailing … and the one when there was no wind?
P.: certain. On official days: alarm clock 6,30, warm-up and stretching; 7,30 breakfast ( eggs and bacon, yogurt and fruit etc. etc.) hours 9 to the Canal; two-three rigs are mounted ... then you sail from 13 All 18; 30 minutes to put in place, hours 19 hot shower in the hotel and stretching; hours 20 dinner hours 22 a few beers and tequilas
When it wasn't wind enough to open: always wake up 6.30 … breakfast at 8; fight with Mark Grinnel
in the breakfast room … so much to warm the spirits and create some new pain … and cheer up the stay of other guests torn between fun and fear:-))))
hours 11 gym: TRX, ball, Figures, stretching...
hours 13 lunch; hours 14 to the canal to mount and trim sails and fins ...
then we also did a bit’ of photoshooting from real stars ))))
and in the late afternoon ... a cap at the Diaz Point coffee shop
Finally a small aperitif at the Nest Hotel ... that to our great amazement has dedicated a room to us, reserved for us: Thanks Ulf, Thanks Tom, Thanks Bruno!!!
K.C.: could you describe Luderitz and the surrounding area?
P.: the place is lovely... it seems to be on the moon ...
Nature is among the most beautiful ever seen
Especially the panorama that is encountered in the 1300km that you make from Cape Town.
Choosing the dirt road you take just after the border, it feels like being in wonderland... it's almost surreal … especially at night with the full moon (as it happened to us: Antoine, Sarah, Mitch and I, on the way back).
K.C.: let's move on to the technical aspects ... explain the channel?
P.: the channel is oriented at about 150 ° on average. When the wind is light they become 160 or more ... when reinforcing, moves away from the stern up to 140° (which is already a deep beautiful lasco for most of those who use boards from 38 to 42cm).
The start is on the side (and with the light wind of "diskette") in flat water then the channel curves sharply near a cage put for the photographer, and from there there are about 600mt: 50 to accelerate, 500 the run and 50 to stop.
The channel in some places is wide 5 meters but the navigable part may not reach two, as on the sides the water can go below the 25 Cm... medium depth 40 cm.
To counteract the tide a giant leeward wall has been made that creates turbulence and in case of a fall welcomes you with a smile (this for me was welcome at the first run of the day before the official opening).
Last year the wall was not there … the channel was more sensitive to tides … but on some days it was definitely flatter, with less turbulence and easier. We are working, each bringing their own experiences and ideas, to improve a fixed channel, that is not tidal-dependent but just as fast … this was the first attempt … however high quality, next year will be better!
The place is very difficult and could intimidate even the bravest big wave riders ...
But on perfect days if tide and wind work together to have a stable effect on the water plane and on the sail ... then it could become the Earthly Paradise!!!
The dream for now has remained in the drawer ...
But that drawer will sooner or later open!
Forever Speed
Principle
ITA 223
interview: Karim Cyril 4 www.RIWmag.com
photo: Andrea Baldini, (c) Patterson, (c) Windsurfing Australia, (c) Luderitz Speed Challenge, Peter Davis, pierre bisson/www.gsyphoto.com
