Luderitz speed Challenge 2014: the dream of the Prince Andrea Baldini is still under way ... "I'm Back!”
Vanessa Batlle
As fiancée caddy, (and passionate about windsurfing speed) weapons and luggage, I found myself Luderitz to share one of the most exciting experiences of my life.
The lunar landscape ... surreal ... almost fairy made it all the more fascinating.
(photo: Vanessa Batlle)
From Fiumicino at parties 19.30 We arrive at 13,30 in Cape Town.
First positive note, the company Kennings car hire Cape Town gave us a surprise: instead of the classic bakkie, a brand new Ford Custom Van at the same price !!! Thanks Kennings!!!
(photo: Vanessa Batlle)
We arrive at Luderitz on 5 October on a cloudy day and with maximum 13°.
No wind until 8 ... but a Desert Storm breaks a high tension cable and the whole town remains 3 days without electricity.
The food at this point are at risk and the Prince takes a nice stomach flu with fever 39 attached and connected... Just in time to start the Speed Challenge well.... So the 9 October while 50 knots of wind knocked on the door of the canal we had to deal with the desire to navigate, the impossibility of eating and the need to find asylum in the bathroom at every chime of now 
Vanessa Batlle: Prince as it began this year in Luderitz?
Principe Andrea Baldini: Apart from the fact that being here is a privilege and a wonderful thing ... It was tough ...
Almost as soon as I arrive I read Claudia Collina's message that sets me apart from one of those things you would never want to hear: one of the dear friends ... one of those who never gives up ... one of those attributes has them ... and hammer down never backed down, he left for the Long Journey ...
How many sunsets in Banzai ... how many mornings at the Cape ... How many memories emerge ... in a week that already in itself had shades of gray ...
That's how it opens on the first day of Strong Wind... I do everything to honor my journey ...
But the chop is devastating... the almost impossible angle: 170°, I had lost 5 kg of weight ... 3 run to hell and break one of my best trees by exploding on the finish line!!!
Destroyed, disassemble and go to the Hotel ...
Magically, however, the wind changes direction and the few who remained at the canal were able to take advantage of an optimal condition ... Unexpected...
V.B.: Well the first day went like this and then?
P: three days later I felt better ... step from Imodium and rice in white to eggs and bacon!!!
And finally I take possession of my physique: is the 12 October.
The wind is not strong ... On 30 nodes; everyone is with the 5.8 ... I had time to develop, with the mythical (and great friend) Claudio Badiali, after a few test prototypes, only the 5.4 and the 5.0. So I'm going to go in with the 5.4 determined as a gladiator!!!
(photo: Vanessa Batlle)
They are in line with the fastest ... and so very happy ... Anders 45 Nodes... I 44 ... Then Anders 44 and 46 …
(photo: Andrea Baldini)
I try to push harder ....
(photo: Beadle Photo)
But in the middle of the gust the fin gets stuck on a sand island formed with wind-blown sand in the canal and I make one of the most spectacular flights ever!!! The neck hurts ... and maybe went the tendon of the left shoulder.
As well as the "magic fin", Gasoil 19, the most beautiful of the beautiful ... who is about to listen to the de profundis.
(photo: Beadle Photo)
But in the end you always get up ...
About Gasoil 19, only Erik Beale's mastery could bring her back to life somehow goods Erik
For the pains: Cannon voltaren and ready for 15 with blizzard forecasts …
The blizzard was there but again the corner was wrong: too much stern and then rolling chop from fear ...
I close the sail on the chop but I can't do more than 44,5 Nodes... it was hell ... Only 5-6 rider in the water at the most difficult time ... was unnecessarily risky.
(photo: Vanessa Batlle)
In one of the runs I fall into the bend on the boom with the thigh and the pain is of the strong ones … for 3 days I won't be able to stretch out my right leg...
While I wait for the angle to change direction (strong from previous experience) I burst the 4 Meters... faithful squire of the last 6 Years...
Brotherly friend Farrel lends me his best 4 meters … but on my sail it's too fast in the tip … and I can't control the chop ... I'll stop at 45 Nodes... Also because I had leg and shoulder out of order ...
(photo: Beadle Photo)
V.B.: Tell us what you were doing on non-windy days.
P: When there was no wind apart 1 hour in the gym for stretches and warm up ... some work on the canal to try to eliminate the sandbanks and so much setup of slats and trees on the 5.4 …
Or you're dabbling in Beer, Tequila and Jegermeister … doing a little’ of healthy revelry at the mythical Nest Hotel !!!
(photo: Vanessa Batlle)
V.B.: and then the big day came?
P: certain … the 30 October … but not as strong as we hoped ... And I haven't been able to exploit it!!!
I could count on 5.0 that with its 380 Proxima spun very karacho.
But in the end the wind never exceeded 40 knots and then it would have been the 5.4 sailing to do something great ...
V.B: Join us on your fastest run.
P.: I only had the pleasure of savoring an ephemeral and capricious flurry that as it came so she's gone leaving sad 25 nodes behind her.
Childbirth easy jumping on the table, in the corner are over and ready to exploit the gust comes but small claims ... Then the wind dummy ... Enter the run forever ... on 42kts ... after a few more seconds finally comes the powerful but short gust above!
(photo: Beadle Photo)
So while taking a peak at 49kts I found myself with the bottom in the water as if they had turned off the fan suddenly ... and here in 3 seconds to return from 46kts ... ends the run with 45, 28kts.
The GPS marks 48, 05kts ... But my feeling is positive!
I realize that I could have gone strong ... Strong!!!
And that's what matters ... Now I know ... You can do!!!
I'm back!!!
(video: Vanessa Batlle)
V.B: What you learned from this experience?
P: that what is good in La Franqui is not said to go well to Luderitz and vice versa ...
I understand that I need 5 sails: 5.1, 2 x 5.4, 5.8 and 6.3.
5 Trees at least: 3 x 380 and 2 x 415
2 Mistral Boards 41 standard and another with the wider stern in case the chop was too insidious.
So I already wrote to the big Bad ... and we're working for Luderitz 2015!!!
(photo: Beadle Photo)
V.B.: In the last two weeks new people have arrived ...
P: Certain, Team French has arrived with the great Tierry Bielak, the sympathetic and always polite Christophe Ricahud and many others!
Then the dear and great friend Possati Tree who proved to be fitter than ever with 45knts on the run and 47knts top speed with a puffy foot!!!
(photo: Pierre Bisson)
From the surfing world we then had the honor of surfing with Chris Bertish … A hero of the big waves ... the last winner at Mavericks!!! Bravo Chris!!!
(photo: Vanessa Batlle)
From the beginning, besides Anders Bringdal, Farrel O’Shea, Hennie Bredenkamp, Mark Grinnel, Hans Kreisel & JVH etc etc. Erik Beale was present (a speed legend, the first to have exceeded 40kts in the years that were) with its cavitational fins and new prototypes of futuristic boards ... beautiful things ... beautiful things!!!
V.B: What would you like to add?
P.: there are many emotions that emerge ... I've been super lucky to have someone who has taken care of me over the last few months and made this possible.!
Goods Cherie
(photo Beadle Photo)
Then one for all I want to thank in a special way "Moccasin" Alessandro Giovini a true friend in all respects.
And a deep thank you to those who have always helped me to keep my dreams alive !!!
Forever Speed!!!
Principle
ITA 223
