Archive for October, 2009

Ludertiz Africa - October 31 - 1700 local

Saturday, October 31st, 2009

 In country and boots on the ground.  We arrived on Wed. the 28th, Little bro Jamie’s birthday…….to a solid 45kts south wind with gusts to 55 and jet lagged….not a good combo.

Thursday was windy too…….40kts + .  Team USA got on the water and worked on a few things…..new kites, new boards, new fins.  The new kites from c

Cabrinha kites look very impressive.  Pieces to the puzzle that will produce a new world record for America?????

 The forecast is weak for the next week! 

 Equipment tuning, exercise and mental prep is the daily regiment.

 Opening ceremonies were held this morning and the skipper’s meeting is tonight

 Team Black Dog will be ready!!!!!!  Daily updates to follow

 

<<<JTAC. Bravo Lima 555>>>

Operation Africa - Mission update - Vineyard Haven USA - NASSP HQ

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

 

 

 

                            Orders have just arrived from Black Dog Corporate and its ultra covert Special Activities Division. (BDSAD) The NASSP team is directed to proceed to Luderitz, Namibia, Africa on October 26 2009 for mission Red Diamond.  Primary objectives: Recapture the outright world speed sailing record, set a new American overall record and test the speed gear.  The demolition target for this Op is Hydroptere’s (FRA) 51.34 knot WR, currently the world’s fast sailboat.

Initial intel reports suggests strong resistance in the mission area of operations

 PRELUDE BY JAMIE DOUGLAS  US-575

Rob US-55 (50.54knots) - the 2nd fastest kitesailor on earth and America’s fastest sailor asked me join Team NASSP to compete and train in the Kitesurfing Speed World Championships last year in France…… it didn’t take me long to comeback with my answer.   I just had to consider…could I help the team ?  Can I break the 50kt theshold………I say yes.  After hitting the speed course in Port St.Louis, France last spring I took a middle of the pack result with me……..Can I help the team in Luderitz…the fastest piece of water in the world ?  In this remote part of the African continent, time, high winds, shallow waters and competition will take its toll on the sailors.  Only the strongest, most well prepared sailors will be victorious.  I will push the team hard to recapture the outright world sailing speed record.  Team NASSP is stronger. 

EQUIPMENT-

All 2009 NASSP kiteboarding equipment is of the next generation.  The NASSP weapon locker is jammed packed with the best gear on planet earth.  Rob has selected only the most capable boards, kites, fins and accessory equipment from the industry’s most respected professionals and best companies………Cabrinha, Dakine, NPX wetsuits and Curtis fins. Improved speed boards straight out of the skunk works of shaper MZ  - Cabrinha’s kite designs based on the record setting Cabrinha Crossbow IDS from designer Pat Goodman have been built for highwind performance - Aircraft inspired fins from Curtis Hesselgrave will keep us straight and allow us to apply full power.   One of our primary mission sponsors, Bill Lynch of Lynch Associates has been sailing with us all summer and fall on the Vineyard.  To all of our sponsors and partners…many thanks…we will push it hard for the entire 4 weeks in country.

Coach Gebhardt US-45 is back.  Bringing with him an unmatched competitive experience level and history of success.  Equipment testing, diet, physcial and mental prepartion will be part of the daily grind in Luderitz.  Always remembering to apply the “Attitude of Gratitude”

Stay tuned to the blog as we will be updating it regularly while training continues on the
Vineyard this October in preparation for Luderitz - Nov 1 to 28.  Also check out the event website at speed-luderitz.com

J. Douglas -

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