RESULTS

Ultimate Speed Meeting or USM are a CASUAL chance for speed sailors all over the UK to meet up at some of the best speed venues in the world. These are being held via THE hub of gps speed sailing world wide. www.gps-speedsurfing.com

I started these around 2 years ago with the aim for the windsurf speed addicts to get together and pit their sailing skills against some of the best speed sailors in the country. The names on the mailing include Taboo Gaastra's Dave White, Maui sails team rider Martin van Meurs, Tushinghams Bob cunningham, Noble sailboards team rider Steve Thorpe and wave sailing legend Farrel O'shea.

This year us Brits are lucky enough to have the british speed sailing challenge. This is being held in conjunction with gps-speedsurfing and is open to any windsurfer on UK waters. Ultrasport have been kind enough to sponsor with prizes such as an F2 Missile (drool) and sails from Maui sails. There will be a trophy for the fastest sailor of the year and the prize will be given out with a raffle system. This means the more you post the more chance you have of winning a prize! I have now registered my wife and two daughters on gps-speedsurfing. I think it's best to hedge my bets on the Missile :). It's fantastic to see this kind of support for UK speed sailing. Many thanks to Ultrasport from speed-sailor.

The USMs are called on a rollover basis. I scan the weather sites during the week for any wind that could happen at the weekend. The tides are checked to see if somewhere like the Ray would work at middayish. I warn my fellow speedsters of an iniment call for a USM and then give a solid call on Thursday. Minimum wind speed is a solid 20 plus knot forecast and of course is the right direction.

Venues:

The Ray in Southend-on-Sea Essex. The first speed course in the world that has produced a 50 knot GPS v-max on a windsurfer. This was achieved by Martin van Meurs. I was lucky enough to be there when he done it. Mega speed from a mega sailor. We are lucky to have two banks at the Ray that work in different directions The West course works in a southerly wind. Southeast and southwest being the best directions and is around 2.5 kilometres long. The East course (where the 50 knot v-max was broken) works in a westerly or an easterly. The east course is a little shorter than the west course but is still around 800 metres long! The window for the Ray to work is at least 4 hours long! I saw the Ray at its worsy at the last Driven By Wind event. Shallow and choppy springs to mind. Thankfully these sort of conditions are rare for the Ray.

West kirby near Liverpool is legend among speed sailors world wide. West Kirby is Martin van Meurs favorite speed course. There is nothing but open sea before a westerly gale hits the famous wall. The wind is super constant and the water super cold! But this place is speed sailing heaven. It's possible to squeeze a 500 metre run out of it, but you have to slow down pretty smartish if you dont want to hit the end wall! A truely great place to sail and the locals are uber friendly. Any questions about West Kirby ask here.

More venues to come.