Antoine Albeau and his world sailing speed record

Antoine Albeau (France, Team Quiksilver) yesterday beat the official world sailing speed record. The windsurfer from Ile de Ré reached a speed of 49.09 knots (nearly 92 kph), on his funboard powered by a 4.80m2 sail, on the canal at Saintes-Maries -de-la-Mer. No sail-powered vessel has ever previously managed such a speed.

Antoine Albeau

Sailing Speed World Record

"On March 5th, the conditions were really extreme with some very violent winds. There were about a dozen of us out on the water, but only three or four of us were able to beat the record (including the former holder Finian Maynard). It was a physically and mentally exhausting day. I'm shattered!" explained the new record holder, who can barely take in the scope of his achievement. "This world record means a lot as it's not just for windsurfing - it covers the whole world of sailing. I'm only just starting to realise what I've done."

Antoine Albeau is France's most successful windsurfing expert, with no fewer than 11 World Championships to his name. His next target is to break the symbolic 50 knot barrier. But with the weather outlook for the next few days not looking good, Antoine has decided to leave the Camargue and postpone his latest attempt to a later date.

Antoine ALBEAU (France)
2008 – New holder of the world sailing speed record
2007 – Slalom World Champion
2007 – Formula Windsurfing World Champion
2007 – Speed World Champion
2006 – Slalom World Champion
2006 – Super X World Champion
2005 – Formula Windsurfing World Champion
2004 - Formula Windsurfing World Champion
2001 – Freestyle World Champion
1994 – Slalom World Champion
1994 – Race World Champion
1994 – Overall World Champion

Date of birth : 17 of june 1972
Sponsors : Quiksilver, Neil Pryde, Starboard, Ford Lease Autovital, Deboichet fins
Sail number : FRA 192

Von: Olivia Payerne agency / Andrea Lakeberg