Windjet break UK record...

...in their programme to attack the world sailing speed record

Windjet, the British campaign to shatter the wind-powered speed record on land, ice and water, yesterday claimed its first success by achieving the British wind propelled land speed record at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire at a speed of 86mph.


"We¹re delighted to have broken the British record with Windjet," said 24 year old pilot Richard Jenkins. "It's frustrating that we didn't break the world record, as we've exceeded the official speed in testing, however this is a major achievement for British engineering and we¹re convinced we'll beat the world record soon."

The attempt was made in 19 knots of wind, somewhat below the ideal 25 knots required to break the world land record which stands at 116mph. The attempts were recorded on two police systems, one film and one manual. The film system recorded a lower best run than the manual system, so this is the speed published.

The British group, based in Lymington, England, have started to build a new craft to attempt the outright wind water speed record early next year. No details of the British craft are available at the moment, all the team will divulge is that the boat is designed to be able to achieve high speed in more open water conditions than the protected areas required by recent record breakers.

The Australian world record holders are also reported to be preparing for another attempt at raising the record from the present 46.52 knots set in 1993.