Douglas raises speed records in France

Rob Douglas (USA) has returned to record breaking pace at the 2023 Prince of Speed held June 1-30 in La Palme, France. Having set the outright world speed sailing record over a 500-meter distance on a kiteboard in 2008, later raising it to 55.65 knots in 2010, he is now busting the speed barrier on a longer course.

On the afternoon of June 14, he became the first kiteboarder in world history to break 40 knots on the one nautical mile with an average speed of 40.41 knots. Early in the morning on June 15, with winds gusting to over 40 knots, Douglas went faster at 41.49 knots. Finally on June 24, with winds gusting over 40 knots again, he posted a 42.54 knot average speed with a top speed of 49.5 knots.

The previous record for the one nm course on a kiteboard was 39.11 knots held by the Frenchman Sylvain Hoceini from Fontignan France.

The event was held at Plage du Rouet, just to the west of the 2024 Olympic venue of Marseille, with all speeds still to be ratified by the World Speed Sailing Record Council.