Speechless.

Sat, 24 Nov 12 19:15

Fresh off the TRIMBLE... 68.01 over 1 second, 65.45 over 500 meters.

I'll let the pictures tell the story. The triple rum and cokes are already hitting the mark.

MALCOLM AND GEORGE WATCHING THE BEAST DO ITS STUFF.

POD HIGH AND SMOKING...60+ RUN 2

BERNT WITH HIS GOPRO PLANE. THE FOOTAGE IS AMAZING. THIS GUY HAS SKILLS. BLOODY WELL DONE IN 30 KNOTS OF WIND.

I SAVED THE BIG REVEAL UNTIL I GOT THE BOAT BACK UP TO THE TIMING HUT. WALKING BACK UP WITH THE NUMBERS AND MALC.

I WROTE THE NUMBERS BACKWARDS IN THE SAND. THIS WAS THE MOMENT.

MALCOLM AND I. WE STARTED THIS GIG 11 YEARS EARLIER.

YEAH... PRETTY HAPPY WITH THAT.

GEORGIE BOY IS PRETTY HAPPY TOO.

SELF EXPLANATORY REALLY...

BRINGING THE BEAST BACK HOME IN ONE PIECE.

We are absolutely over the moon with todays performance. I'll leave it at that. Tomorrow is already written off. So cool, so damned cool.

THANKYOU VESTAS FOR BACKING US ALL THE WAY.

That's it. Job done!

Love, Paul x

Paul's blog

Comments

VIDEOS

Submitted by Martin Rayment on Fri, 11/30/2012 - 10:57.

The Sailrocket Videos are an amazing insight into the whole process of setting a World Sailing Speed Record. I se that the latest videos are now on the web site Video Gallery, which gives easier access - except the 59knot run video, your 'first' outright world record isn't there yet. I hope you are intending to add this to the video gallery too. It's a great video!

It's almost sad you are packing up for the year.
Until the next time.
Martin Rayment

YOU BEAUTY

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 03:36.

Well done Larso and the team. Amazing effort with incredible numbers...make sure they spell your name right in the history books! Well deserved by all for sticking at it for the past 11 years, really stoked for you mate.

Gus - Phuket Thailand.

Hawke

Submitted by si on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 01:37.

This is a brilliant, emotional account of the run! Thank You!

I was telling a colleague about your new record before this post and commented that "you're probably still p1ssed and haven't had time yet..." It reminded me of a former PM of ours: "Any boss that sacks an employee for taking today off is a bum".

I remember vividly where I was that day too. This *has* to be up there! CONGRATULATIONS!

Are You Tempted

Submitted by Tom Darville on Wed, 11/28/2012 - 12:46.

Not wanting to put you on the spot (actually I do) are you guys tempted to get Helena out there going for the Womans world speed sailing record?

Tom

Time Travel

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/28/2012 - 12:32.

Apparently according to Sir Steven Hawkin at those speeds Paul you can time travel......

Apparently ..........

Best Wishes

Doctor Who (Time Lord)

Thank you. Fifty years after

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/28/2012 - 07:08.

Thank you. Fifty years after Bernard Smith penned the basics behind your boat you went and proved him very conservative in his estimations of a future you realized. He is in heaven smiling down upon you all. Thank you for providing us with an achievement and a new reality to last for years - and which still has legs to go further. Your design, engineering, development is inspiring. The team has done an outstanding job with dedication, intestinal fortitude, bravery and look at the freaking result you have achieved - well done ladies and gentlemen - very well done.

Speed sailing

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/28/2012 - 01:16.

Congratulations to all of you on acheiving such speeds and thanks for something to look forward to over many past years and the future. All the best. Bill.

The scary thing about the new

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 11/27/2012 - 22:30.

The scary thing about the new record is how close it is to the speed that was predicted for VSR2 by Paul and the team years ago!

How long will the record stand? Until VSR2 goes faster I suppose :) Congrats all around, a fantastic campaign.

Russell Moore

More Limericks, anyone?

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 11/27/2012 - 16:51.

There once was a speed sailor from Australia,
Who's optimism would never fail ya.
He stormed down the course,
claimed the record with force,
And with a rum and coke shouted "oh hell yeah!"

Somebody stop me.

World Record for Vestas Sailrocket 2

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 11/27/2012 - 16:51.

Congrats Paul and your team. As you said it took 11 years to beat the record , but your achievement has truly created a breakthrough in speedsailing. In some ways your
Efforts are much like Richard Jenkins from England when after 10 years, broke the Landsailing record of 116.7 mph and went 126.1 in 2009. Your 75 mph average is not that far behind traveling across a much more difficult surface.
Well Done!!!!! Mark Harris, NALSA, North American Land Sailing Assn.

Top Job! TopGear?

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 11/27/2012 - 01:45.

Congrats again, get job all around. Just got done watching an episode of Top Gear. Its a rocket not a car but man you belong on the montage!

Ellen Mac

Submitted by si on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 01:41.

Ellen MacArthur was a superstar in her appearance on Top Gear.

How do we get a campaign going to get Paul on there???

Star in a reasonably priced

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 11/27/2012 - 05:25.

Star in a reasonably priced car...

Some say...

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 11/27/2012 - 13:38.

Some Say...

Congratulations !

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 23:14.

So good to see that this speed can be reach.
It was a very good job ! Let's see for the next one :)

:-o

Submitted by mark on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 22:27.

Wow! 65 knots! That is absolutely completely and utterly amazing. Only heard this morning and it made our day in the office - one fantastic way to blow away any Monday blues after a rainy weekend. Congratulations again to all the team, all the years of hard work have paid back handsomely, the success is very well deserved by all, enjoy!

Cheers,
Mark

Holly Shit Batman

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 22:03.

As a windsurfer and kiter who loves speed and works to improve my personal best, it cannot be understated what a phenominal series of achievements the VESTAS team has achieved for themselves and mankind. I congratulate you all on your perseverance, teamwork and engineering excellence. What will never cease to amaze me is that all this performance comes from a beautiful form of free energy ... WIND! I am excited to see the trickle down of your technology and encourage VESTAS to continue its support for your fantastic journey of discovery. Bring on 70 knots it looks more possible now than ever... So nutt'in like a little Whoopass to inspire the competition. Note you can't take away from hydropter's open water speed performance or the shear simplicity and low cost of the windsurfing and kite gear, but I think you have smashed through the current power to weight, control envelope. Just glad to see the windsurfers led by Antoine Albeau break'in well past the 50 knot barrier. It is enspiring to watch from the cheap seats. Keep shreddin hard!!!

Tom Vandall

smashed it

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 17:59.

whoop whoop...huge congratulations to you all!! So, so happy to see you succeed in such a big way after all the headaches. A few glasses of champagne went down here in Cowes too! very very well done.

So Proud What great times!

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 16:19.

11 years but wow - Fantastic to see success we always knew you guys could do it - so happy for you Malcolm, Paul and Helena and all! All the best from the Ekspan Team.

GENIUS TEAM

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 16:09.

Fantastic record achieved by a team of genius.
So many revolutionary concepts in the boat. This machine is years in advance over any foil engine made today.
Respect to the engineering work and the courage to pilot such a machine.

I used to be a dinghy sailor and now a kitesurfer with a modest 35knots speed record.

You put the bar very high for us, andt you deserve everybody's admiration.

Well Done Guys from all the staff at Wartsila Namibia Branch

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 15:31.

Hi Paul and team,

Well done guys. Been watching and keeping tabs on you guys for a long time. Mind boggling achievement.

We wish you all the best to your next challenge

WELL DONE AGAIN!!!

VESTAS SailRocket 2 - Update

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 14:53.

Fantastic news ! This is a great testimony to your dedication and expertise.

best regards,

Mark Bebar
President - International Hydrofoil Society

Unbreakable

Submitted by Jacob Bohme on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 12:07.

Fantastic...
Jacob Bohme

WELL DONE AGAIN!! Is that the

Submitted by Tom Darville on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 11:48.

WELL DONE AGAIN!! Is that the job done? OR is there a 70knot bottle in a fridge somewhere? If there is you are one crazy mad person but we LOVE it.

Tom (Cosworth)

What a Job but what a Team

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 09:49.

Seen this project from day one , impressive then came SR2 more impressive but what impressed me the most is the dedication of the whole team.

The boat is something to watch really is but the expression on the faces when the record was set is something to see believe me , love it all its a dream come true for so many and you have once more put Walvis Bay on the map thanks so much.

Paul and Helena you deserve each and every moment of this bar that you pushed so high well done you an inspiration to all of us.

Put it there !!!!!

Absolutely brilliant, we knew

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 09:48.

Absolutely brilliant, we knew you would triumph.
Ian Loffhagen

Incroyable !

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 09:45.

Massive congratulations !! I have been following this record and your attempts for years, now, and what you have done is just is just amazing !!
Alexis, France.

Well done

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 09:21.

I had the pleasure of having a longer chat with you when you first launched VSR2 in Walvis Bay. I admired your absolute passion and also patience with me, who you never met before, and divulged so many details of this project without any hesitation. I have been following your endeavour since then, and I am delighted and thrilled that your efforts came to fruition.

My best Congratulations on a job more than well done!

Martin Fuhs

Blown Away

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 05:52.

Larso, unbelievable mate - you have to Stop. Boller & I can't drink any more in celebration of your amazing achievements !
Congradulations once more,to you & all of your team - outstanding work !
Schultzy

History

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 05:15.

Thank you Bernard Smith- 50 years ago you designed this layout for a high speed sailboat and wrote a book on how to do it 'The 40 Knot sailboat'.
With half a century of computer and materials technology the Vestas team have built a 60 Knot+ sailboat but the concept is still the same.

Michael Ipkendanz

Bravo

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 01:51.

Votre exploit est tout simplement extraordinaire.

Limricks, anyone?

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 01:20.

There once was a speed sailor from Victoria,
Who was overcome with speed-sailing euphoria.
His boat did race,
with such aplomb and grace,
that the kite-surfers declared a speed moratoria.

Hard earned laurels

Submitted by columbine on Mon, 11/26/2012 - 01:06.

You all deserve a rest now on your hard earned laurels - brilliantly done!!!!!!!!!
What a great advert your videos have been for the Gopro cameras - super test bed.
Fantastic shot you leaping in the air with SailRocket behind - a picture truely worth a 1000 words!
Then the icing on the cake for me was waking up to Radio Solent saying they'd shortly be going to Namibia - then hearing you so excitedly telling Julian Clegg the whole adventure, hard won success & your 'Place in Time'. It's been wonderful following your blog but to hear you was so much more. I now have that recorded to go with pics I took when SailRocket was launched at East Cowes.
South Today that evening showed your video & was mightily impressed with it.
I do hope you'll return to the Isle of Wight soon to talk about your triumphs & bring WindRocket too so all can admire a truely great craft.
Pat.

What a result

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 21:50.

I was first exposed to the Larson magic at Weymouth speed week 7 or 8 years ago the boat was in its early stages of development and was quite rough around the edges to an outsider. After watching your talk at the AYRA I realised you were very dedicated, driven and had a plan of how you were going to achieve your dream.
I have watched your ups and downs over the years including the big crashes and am so pleased to see that you and your team have achieved what you have strived for so many years and to have set the bench mark so high. You are an inspiration if you come back to Weymouth Speed Week I will have a rum and coke with your name on it ready for you.

Mike P

warmest congrats to Paul and the whole team

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 21:22.

this is so amazing, you are the best!!!
Balázs D

Legend

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 20:40.

Congratulation for your incredible performance! You are history and an icon for futur young designed and engineers.
You made theory come true.
Have a safe run!
Malric

Congratulation for your

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 20:37.

Congratulation for your incredible performance! You are history and an icon for futur young designed and engineers.
You made theory come true.
Have a safe run!
Malric

Supersonic

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 20:26.

Chapeau!

Alan Grace - very jealous cat sailor

20% FASTER THAN THE KITES! AMAZING!

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 18:25.

Amazing job to Paul and the entire team! Who would have thought you could exceed the current record by 20%?...you did!

You did it...the predicted 65 knots! And knowing your tenacity you will probaly exceed 70 knots with SR2...but what could a 60 foot Vestas SailRocket 3 do? Expect to see SR3 break 80 knots next year :)

Again, congrats to Paul and the Vestas team from the crew at XSsailing.com

Wizard from Aus

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 17:27.

They say there is a guy out there in Walvisbay who sails the equivalent speed of a fat force 12 Beaufort in a 30 knot wind.

That's mighty magical.

All the hats in the world off for you and the team.

Groeten,

Hielan Sybesma

65.45

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 16:18.

Congratulations! That'll take some beating.

Peter Mclaren - just a keen dinghy/skiff sailor

I feel sorry for the champagne factory

Submitted by Greg Boller on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 13:39.

Larso and team,

Wow, when will it stop and how many more champagne days to come? After so many years of trying and slowly chipping away at the goals the last few weeks have been a dizzying frenzy of achievements.. Yesterday's efforts are mind boggling.. Very happy for you all and just perfect that Malcolm and the others were there.. Soak it up and enjoy it all..
Cheers
Boller

CONGRATULATIONS!

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 12:54.

Absolutely stunning accomplishment, completely obliterating the previous record and even your own record setting run last week. Well done!

Dan Tucker
Rondar Raceboats USA
Marblehead, MA

Fantastic!

Submitted by Simon W on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 12:49.

Bloody amazing. I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw the figures.

Congratulations, again!, to you Paul and the rest of the team.

Here's to hitting 70!

Cheers from Melbourne, Oz

Simon

The stuff of Legends!

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 12:38.

Congratulations Paul, Helena and Team,
Truly inspirational.
Just shows what can be done with a the right attitude and the right team.
There was definately a confident twinkle in your eye before you left for this attempt!
Enjoy it!
Kind Regards
Will and Alice and Isabella Penfold

Congrats

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 12:01.

I had the chance to see VSR2 under build at the REDUX a few times and at its launch.
As I also enjoy the search of speed through design and efficiency on other mounts so I followed your adventure since.
Congratulation to all of you for this huge achievement.
Louis