SPEED TALK WITH PATRIK DIETHELM

Patrik Diethelm was the fastest man at this year’s Luderitz Speed Challenge. Patrik has deep speed experience, this being his third consecutive Luderitz speed event.
This year Patrik was the man everyone followed… he studied very carefully course conditions for his attempts, making runs at specific moments- and his strategy worked!
Patrik used the design he helped create; the Loftsails Speed Blade.

Q: You were the fastest at Luderitz this year! What put you ontop of the event rankings… what about your visit this year, was it different from last year?

Patrik: I was well prepared, and especially after 3 years, I had sails which I really loved. Sure the experience from the past helped a lot and I knew better when the right time calls for the good runs were.

Q: What is needed to set a new Windsurfing Speed Record?

Patrik:I guess good conditions ¡¡¡ I remember well the first year when the conditions where really good, however this year the wind played a bit funny and blew a deep angle many times so it became quite choppy and the runs were not so fast. I personally dream off 55 knots with an angle of 135° and really flat water.

Q: Could Luderitz be considered in some way artificial (man-made canal)?

Patrik: Well, it is hard to find a spot with 50 knots plus with 135° angle and flat water and also the disadvantage from the windsurfers is that we need to have a video camera timing system, as the recognized GPS systems the boats are using are way to heavy and way to expensive, so we have to make it up. Maybe one day the small GPS’s will be more accurate and recognized at WSSR so we can sail wherever we want and we do not need a canal anymore.

Q: What is it about speed sailing that you like? Dislike?

Patrik: Speed sailing has a lot to do with equipment and I guess I have the advantage to know a lot about it. Also there is no time stress, you can change some gear any time you like. There is no dislike ¡¡¡

Q: How does it feel to be at the top of the gps-speedsurfing rankings 2014?

Patrik: Sure it feels good even though I would liked to have the WR more – hehe!

Q: Are you planning another visit to Luderitz next year? Who are the guys to watch for 2015?

Patrik: Yes, I plan to go again as it is so much fun. Actually with Speed sailing it is not like you can watch someone and kind of race tactically like in Slalom and Formula. There are many good guys to watch and sure many more guys who can go fast have not had the chance to visit the canal, so better to watch out everyone and do not miss the good times.

Q: What separates small slalom board designs (for open water) and speed board designs for the canal? Fins?

Patrik: Sure Slalom boards are bigger and have a wider tail compare to speed board but rocker line and insert position measured from the tail is actually very similar if not even the same. The fins for the canal are asymmetrical so there is a big difference. The sails are also very similar and I could easily use my speed sail for any slalom competition.

Q: Can slalom designs be competitive at Luderitz, or are specialized speed designs needed?

Patrik: The Slalom boards for sure don not work as they are way to big but Slalom sails are 95% of what the guys are using.