Two weeks after Douglas sailed into the record books at the Luderitz Speed Challenge by kitesurfing across the ocean off the coast of Namibia at 49.84 knots, France's Sebastien "The Catman" Cattelan trumped the mark at 50.26 on Friday. But then on Saturday, Alexandre Caizergues flew through a run at 50.57 knots, rewriting the record books again.
The new record is still subject to ratification by a sitting of the World Speed Sailing Records Council.
Luderitz Speed Challenge
David Williams hits the water at day five of the Luderitz Speed Challenge.
Roger Hislop, Reasonal
Rob Douglas sets the outright Speed Sailing world record at 49.84 knots.
Roger Hislop, Reasonal
Sjoukje Bredenkamp followed in Rob Douglas's footsteps -- setting the women's Speed Sailing world record.
Roger Hislop, Reasonal
Sebastien Catellan competes at the Luderitz Speed Challenge 2008.
Roger Hislop, Reasonal
Sebastien Catellan cruises in close to shore at the Luderitz Speed Challenge.
Roger Hislop, Reasonal
Sebastien Catellan at day five of the Luderitz Speed Challenge.
Roger Hislop, Reasonal
Sebastien Catellan works into a turn at the Speed Challenge.
Roger Hislop, Reasonal
Manu Taub gets his shot in the water at the Luderitz competition.
Roger Hislop, Reasonal
Sjoukje Bredenkamp celebrates her dominating and impressive victory.
Roger Hislop, Reasonal
Rob Douglas of the United States, the new outright world speed sailing record holder over 500 meters.
Roger Hislop, Reasonal
Friday was a fast night of sailing, as several records went by the wayside.
Here's a look at some of Friday's record setting runs:
• Sebastien Cattelan 50.26 knots -- new world outright speed sailing record, and the first person to break the "50-knot" barrier.
• Rolf van der Vlugt 44.9 knots -- new Dutch outright speed sailing record.
• David Williams 44.82 knots -- new United Kingdom outright speed sailing record.
• Charlotte Consorti 42.19 knots -- new French women's outright speed sailing record.
• Katja Roose 36.83 knots -- new Dutch women's outright speed sailing record.
Competition continues at the Luderitz Speed Challenge through Oct. 13.
