Gin Kiteboarding becomes Official Supplier for the World Sailing Speed Record

September 7th, 2022

Extraordinary kites for an extraordinary boat!
After launching its record-breaking project back in 2019 and beginning construction of the boat in 2021, SP80 is collaborating with Gin Kiteboarding to develop tailored kites.

« The kite is as important as the boat to smash this record. That’s why Gin’s support in the development of our kites is fundamental.
Working hand in hand with a team that possesses such tools, technologies and above all the desire to push the limits of the kiting world allows us to confidently plan our first sailings in 2023 with a powerful kite.
»

 

Mayeul van den Broek, SP80 co-founder and project manager

Various kites of different wingspans

Various kites of different wingspans

Multiple kites spanning 20m² to 50m2 are in development. On one side, working with different kite sizes will allow the pilots to optimize the boat as they test it. Furthermore, the possibility to adapt the wingspan of the kite to the conditions gives the team the opportunity to maximize the performances of the boat during record runs.

Tailored to the boat, these kites will be very different from conventional kites and will require extensive R&D beforehand : the significant forces they will have to withstand at 80 knots demand specific fabric, bridles and lines be developed for the record.

Discover our collaboration in video!

« The SP80 team is extremely professional, and their ambitions fully align with our DNA. Overall, it’s a team of kite enthusiasts wanting to break a world speed record: a welcome opportunity for us to take a step back from the daily grind! We are looking forward to challenging ourselves with them and pushing our limits to design innovative, performant, record-breaking kites. This is what drives us! »

Gaël Landin, CEO of Gin Kiteboarding

« The SP80 team is extremely professional, and their ambitions fully align with our DNA. Overall, it’s a team of kite enthusiasts wanting to break a world speed record: a welcome opportunity for us to take a step back from the daily grind! We are looking forward to challenging ourselves with them and pushing our limits to design innovative, performant, record-breaking kites. This is what drives us! »

Gaël Landin, CEO of Gin Kiteboarding

A unique control system

In parallel to the important work done on the kites, the team is developing a unique control system : onboard, in a closed cockpit and with such forces involved, it is impossible to use a conventional kite bar. The team has been working on a innovative piloting system with a wheel and hydraulic controls to manage the kite while respecting rules for the record. Indeed, these rules requires that the energy needed to control the boat be provided solely by the pilots: a great technical challenge to overcome before the first tests in 2023!