News & Features | ISAF | World Sailing | Official Site : SHREEVE Breaks A Class Women World Speed Sailing Record

News

21 November 2005, 11:31 am

SHREEVE Breaks A Class Women World Speed Sailing Record

WSSRC Record Attempt

St. Maries de la Mer, France

At the canal in St. Maries de la Mer, in southern France on 17 November 2005, Allison SHREEVE (AUS) set a new 500 metre course A Class (between ten and 13.93 square metre sail) world sailing speed record of 27.70 knots, subject to ratification by the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC).

With her 10.7m NeilPryde RS5 sail and F2 FX106L slalom board, SHREEVE broke the world speed record three times in one day. The existing record was set in April of last year also in St. Maries de la Mer by Marianne TERTIAN of France at 26.36 knots.

SHREEVE still has her sights set on breaking the current women's world speed record held by Karin JAGGI of Switzerland which stands at 41.25 knots, and continues to wait patiently for stronger winds to reach the purpose-built canal at St. Maries de la Mer.

SHREEVE commented, 'I have been waiting in southern France for one month for speed record conditions and today it was going to be good enough for the A class (above 10m sail) record.

'At 0900 the wind was 20-25 knots. With the equipment that I rigged up, and with the wind at a really square angle to the canal, I found it difficult to hold the board down in the gusts. So with my 10.7m NeilPryde RS5 sail and F2 FX106L slalom board, I hit a successful run breaking the record with 27.21 knots. I was able to better that new record two more times with 27.3 knots, and finally 27.70 knots which is equal to 51.3kph. A broken fin put an end to any more attempts.

'I am really happy to have this record, and am most grateful to the MOS team for their support and for giving me the opportunity at this wonderful facility. Thanks also to my sponsors Neil Pryde, F2, Deboichet, and Linfox.

'I came here though to have a crack at the outright women's world speed record, and will continue to wait patiently for the stronger winds to kick in for the main event!'