International Speed Windsurfing Class

The International Speed Windsurfing Class (ISWC) is a class of speed windsurfing boards that has developed over the last 30 years in order to facilitate high performance competition in strong winds and on flat water. The International Speed Windsurfing Class is controlled by the International Sailing Federation and has been adopted as an international class in spring 2007. The class is defined as an "experimental" class, which means that the class rules give a wide possibility for the development of new equipment, also outside commonly used technologies. Speed windsurfing events are normally held on "flat water" as opposed to coastal surf; which means side-offshore wind directions with a strength of at least 20 knots.The ISWC speed world champion is established throughout a tour, the [http://www.speedworldcup.com Speed World Cup] .

Records

Antoine Albeau is the current record holder with a speed of 49.09 knots (90.91 Km/h or 56.49 mph) over a 500 metre course at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (France) on 5th March 2008.

The previous record holder is Finian Maynard having reached an average speed of 48.70 knots (25.05 m/s or 56.05 mph) over the same distance at the same location, on 10th April 2005. This exceeded his previous record of 46.82 knots (24.08 m/s or 53.88 mph) set on the 13th November 2004 at the same venue.

* [http://www.speedworldcup.com/world-records.html Updated List of Speed Sailing Records, Speed All Time Ranking]
* [http://www.boards.co.uk/articles/index.asp?ID_A=327&article_type=59 Boards Magazine Speed-Sailing History]
* [http://www.speedsailing.com/Background_records.htm Complete Chronology of Speed Sailing Records]

Record Spots and Event Sites

Speed Windsurfing events are normally held at venues with reliable, strong offshore winds and flat water. In opposite to the venues for record attempts, accessibility is important as well as a not to difficult course to allow for proper race organization. For world record attempts, venues are chosen only by the best wind and water characteristics.

* [http://www.fuerteventura-worldcup.org Sotavento Beach, Fuerteventura, Spain]
* [http://www.speedweek.co.za Walvis Bay, Namibia]
* [http://www.luderitz-speed.com Luederitz, Namibia]

Prominent Competitors

Bj%C3%B6rn Dunkerbeck, 2005 World Champion

Finian Maynard, 2006 World Champion

External links

* [http://www.speedworldcup.com International Speed Windsurfing Class website]
* [http://www.sailing.org ISAF website]
* [http://www.internationalwindsurfing.com International Windsurfing Association]