What is the record ?
1972
The history
A story of legendary boats and sailors
The record’s existence stems from the pairing of daredevils and innovators. In the beginning, it takes one to ask: “Wonder how fast we can go in this thing?” and the other to reply with a question: “What if we tinkered it a little?”
Eventually humanity’s innate desire to push back against the physical limitations nudges these bold and visionary sailors to take these ideas further. The legends that make up the record’s history were shaped while drifting in these dicey waters.
©KEYSTONE Pictures USA
Crossbow – 26.30 kts
October 1972 on the Isle of Portland; Weymouth’s annual Speed Week has gathered a number of experimental boats, and the contenders are eager to show off their speedy machines. The course against which they are measured is a 500m run, simply because a mile will not fit in the venue. The Crossbow and its 4-man crew come out ahead of the bunch, finishing their run in under 37 seconds, and thereby log the first World Speed Sailing Record, as well as cementing the 500m run as the official benchmark.
A unique visibility in the sailing world
The World Sailing Speed Record is one that garners the most attention in the sport because it doesn’t cater to a single discipline.
What’s more, the record’s scope reaches outside of the confines of the sport; as its status “World Record” suggests, its impact is global.
« Just like with the sound barrier, once you’re through, you’re through, and the equation for doing 100 knots or greater will have been written. »
Paul Larsen, current World Sailing Speed Record holder
