Nantucket Speed Course

My brothers and friends just returned from Nantucket after a long weekend  on board the Black Dog Tall Ship Alabama.  We were in Nantucket opening Nantuckets Black Dog store for the 2009 season.  The forecast was for a sunny 20 to 25 kts SSW on Saturday.

Nantucket is an incredible island……….natural beauty, history, architecture and wind.  I have had a few good days in the surrounding waters and I knew the forecast would let me take a look at Nantucket’s speed potential.

To enter Nantucket harbor on the North side of the island you have to pass through two 1/2 mile long breakwaters (red straight lines in picture) that run approx. north and south………. an ideal speed course on a NW or SW wind (red arrows in picture)  I sailed a strong NW wind there in late August 2007 where we had over 40 kts………

This last visit I had 20 to 25kts with gusts to 30 from the SSW…………nice comfortable 10 meter Crossbow weather and the course was butter smooth behind the perfect man made breakwaters.  At only a few feet above see level they create smooth water and have no effect on the wind.  Notice all the sandy spits stickeing out on the upper right side of the picture…..excellent freeride sailing too.

Nantucket, on the big blows could offer up 50 kt speeds over the 1/4 mile…….some of the flatest windiest spots i’ve ever sailed…..for sure!  More research is required………will advise.  The forecast for Nantucket’s sister island and my home Martha’s Vineyard is:  20 to 30 kts SW today, 15 to 30 kts NE tomorrow and 30 to 35kts SW on Saturday………..big speeds coming.

The Nassp Team (Cabrinha, Lynch Assocaites, The Black Dog and Dakine) said its goodbyes in Frankfurt Germany as world champion Melissa went on to West Palm and the boys, Gebi, Damo, Jamie and I went onto Boston USA.  The 747-400 broke out on the approach to Logan Int. airport at about 200 feet………..solid overcast, rain and a 25 knot Southwest breeze………too bad it wasn’t Port Saint Louis……..we would have been on 15 minute alert and ready for action!

The Vineyard today is sunny and windy……….20 to 30kts SW.  The Spring winds here will allow the NASSP team to continue to train and bust 50 kts with the new GT-31 GPS units.

Overall the NASSP Team did well as we continue to grow and fullfill the NASSP mission statement:  “To build a team of American speed sailors who will compete on the world stage in any class of sail to bring speed sailing records and results back to American shores.”  In France the team collected a world championship in womens and 3rd,4th and 12th place men finishes…………not too bad for our first team event.  Thanks to Cabrinha for the great equipment and Black Dog and Lynch Assocaites for the opportunities……..

Preliminary plans are being developed by NASSP to bring IKA kite speed to the USA later this fall.  An invitational GPS event with prize money for the worlds fastest and their teams on Martha’s Vineyard in 2009 is the plan.  The Top Gun trophy will be up for grabs.  More to come…………

NASSP-

The Vineyard......Flat, Fast and Windy. The perfect site for a Top Gun event!

Damien LeRoy US-45

Damien Leroy (USA – Cabrinha, Black Dog, CornerFive, NPX) is one of the best all around kitesurfers on the planet.  In 2008, Damien won the US national course racing championships and was the overall winner of the Gorge Games.  He attended his first kite speed event in March 2009 in France, where we had a chance to ask him a few questions on his new discipline of kite speed.

Q. When was your first time on a speed board? Speed, wind?

A. Islamorada Fla. 35kts December 2008. 15 kts of wind

 Q. What were your first thoughts after your first session?

A. I wanted to go faster…….it wasn’t fast enough?

 Q. Did it remind you at all about your skiing days?

A. Not really.

Q.  How fast did you go in Alpine racing?

A.  81 mph.

 Q. Now that you’ve sailed a speed board……what are your thoughts about smaller guys sailing fast????

A.  We have a shot for sure…but I haven’t been in strong winds yet

 Q. What is your max speed GPS?

A.  44 Kts

 Q.  Do you think there is potential for speed events in the US?

A.  For sure……….with the right people behind it, a lot of people could get involved……….all ages…its about going as fast as possible and that is fun!

 Q.  Do you think a world record is in your future?

A.  Yup! Just ask Rob

Q.  Can speed sailing improve your course racing skills……if so, how?

A.  No Rob!  It definitely does not………..don’t get a course board!  No, but seriously, no question the strength and effort involved with speed sailing will help your technique and strength in course racing.

 Q.  Do you think the current speed board design is outdated?

A.  For sure!

 Q. Do you have ideas for improvements?

A.  Oh Yea.  But those are mine for now.

 Q.  What is it like traveling and competing with the first group of American speed sailors?

A.  Well, it is the greatest feeling, cause the team mambers are all in it to push the limits of something that we don’t even know if its achievable……….and its easier to eat a baguette with 5 people.

 Q.  What is it that you are trying to obtain in speed sailing……personally and as a NASSP team member?

A.  First, I didn’t know if I could beat the fastest girl.  Second, I wanted to beat Rob.  Third, I want to prove a small guy can beat a big guy.  As a team member, I want to make sure and help the team get mentally stronger and I want to be there when the records get broken.

Q. How much do you weigh?

A. 155 lbs.

Q.  Na……without your wetsuit?

A.  Ok………150 pounds.

 Q. Any other comments or thoughts?

A. If it wasn’t for Rob Douglas I wouldn’t be here…………..thanks Rob. And Cabrinha are the fastest kites for sure.

The North American Speed Project Team (Cabrinha, Lynch Assoc. and The BlacK Dog) has spent the last three days on standby, waiting for weather improvements.  A stubborn, weak low pressure system remains parked south of the racing area over the Med resulting in nearly calm, variable conditions with frequent showers.  Yesterday was spent tuning equipment and by taking a van trip to the nearby town of Martiques…a charming seaside village with many canals and maritime activity.  On our return trip to our headquarters at Port Napolean, local wine was discovered for an average of 1.5 euros per bottle !!  Forecasts do not look very promising…possible racing conditions for this weekend.

After 2 races, both run on the first day of competition,  Melissa Gil the teams only women member sits in 1st place at this time.  NASSP captain Rob is 3rd, Damo 4th, and Jamie 12th.  Rob has posted the event’s top 2 speeds of 33.94kts each) 

NASSP Team rider Melissa Gil - Sorry guys she has a boyfriend.....NASSP Team rider Damo

Melissa Gil (USA - Cabrinha, BlacK Dog, NPX and Dakine) a native of Costa Rica, is 25 years old and a current resident of  Jupiter, Florida.  She joined team NASSP several months ago when the decision was made to make the trip to France with Damien to compete in the IKA Kitesurfing Speed World Championships.  She has been kiteboarding for about 5 years but first stepped onto a speed board only last month.  Prior to making the trip to France, Melissa had spent only several days training on her speed board in the Florida keys….WHAT?  Never having piloted a speed board down a speed course, Melissa proceeded to out pace 2 known women world talents…Consorti and Bredenkamp.  Melissa’s finishing speeds were consistent, and she has also achieved the top women’s speed so far- 30.03knots.  Demonstrating a smooth confidence in her approach to the races, Melissa seems to possess a natural speed sailing stance.  Her potential, obviously, is still an unknown.  In the first 2 races she sailed a NASSP prototype custom speed board designed by Rob and Cabrinha Switchblades IDS 10 and 12 meter kites.  Due to the somewhat raw, chilly conditions, Melissa used multiple layers of neoprene, rash guard, impact vest, and hood to create the necessary warmth for her success in the first 2 races.   

Team NASSP along with Craig Hall, the NASSP Team ITO or Information Technology Officer has been analyzing the teams GPS information on GPS Results…studying tracks on the course, speeds over various sections of the racecourse and looking for opportunities for improvements if conditions allow.  Coach Gebhardt’s contributions have helped to keep the team focused, despite the poor conditions, we are ready to take advantage of any racing opportunities that present themselves in the next few days.  The Team is on alert status, with eguipment ready to go in less than 15 minutes.  Lounging at team NASSP HQ, Damien LeRoy was overheard saying, “I am so freaking ready to hammer down……..I can’t freeking take it anymore!”