Funny how the guy trimming the mainsail never looks at the sail, there seems to be 5 captains.
Hydrofoils are a good example, because they kill the is-not-fair argument of the sailors. Hydrofoils have a ground effect, too, if the end of the foil is close enough to the ground. Beside that every fin can use the ground as an endplate.
Every sailor or windsurfer can use the ground effect for his hull as well. No problem with more and shorter foils.
So is the ground effect of the kiters unfair ? No !
So what is then wrong with the ground effect ?
Second argument: The ground is a third element. But why may I use the shore, but not the ground ? Both are third elements which pollute the purity of sailing. Where is the difference ?
So what is wrong with the ground effect ? Nothing.
Frant said ... No we will just choose a depth that frustrates our kiter friends.
On the contrary, the rule as it stands now allows ground effect for kiters but excludes it for all other craft. In 10cm of water a 20cm wide kiteboard at a 45 degree angle will have its trailing edge of the lifting surface (the WSSRC seems unaware that it is the height of the trailing edge above the ground NOT the depth of water that is the determining factor) in very close proximity to the ground. It will not touch the ground due to the entrapment of the water by the edge and fin. If there is a rise in the bottom (shallow spot)the board will rise over it on a cushion of water.
This lack of understanding is not the WSSRC fault. The Wolfson unit should have made clear to their client (the WSSRC) the relevant factors so they could have made an appropriate rule.
Tilmann said ..So what is then wrong with the ground effect
The simple answer is "the ground" . The WSSRC governs sailing records on water. Allowing a third element (the ground) to create a 100% reduction in drag is not by the WSSRC definition "sailing on water".
Just a thought (another lonely one)
1. Any members of the WSSR Council frequent here?
2. Anybody likely to be giving the record a bit of a nudge(or get remotley close to it) here?
No to both of the above
Slowies probably the only one even remotely close.
Then WTF are we wasting time on this pointless discussion?
Tillman, Huge respect for what you have achieved it certainly takes some size 10 titanium balls to hurtle along at those speeds, but if you have a problem with the WSSR Council not validating what you percieve as a record, then take it up with them.
If anybody has substantiated evidence that the ground effect is true then submit that evidence to them or take it through any other channels which may override the rule change.
But until then the rules are.... the rules.
Sorry, I only have 3 working brain cells in my red furry muppet shaped head and they're hurting reading this continual whining about rule changes
I'm gonna punish the seabreeze for taking so long to get here, and will teach it a lesson by not sailing today
