44.19 kn

The International Speed Windsurfing Class (ISWC) and the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) have to clarify their position on the newly created GPS Speed World Records, introduced by the website GPSSS www.gps-speedsurfing.com) and GPSKS (www.gps-kitesurfing.com). 

These world records can not be recognised by us and we feel they will introduce confusion into the world of speed sailing.

We have worked with the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) for many  years and with their help established many world and national records for our members. The WSSRC has been established since 1972 and is sanctioned by ISAF to provide impartial results and observe claims by all high speed sailing craft and ensure that they are achieved fairly and correctly under their rules, ensuring fair play for all. They are the only official body that can issue World and National records which is widely accepted and supported by the sailing world.

We do accept that the websites GPSSS and GPSKS have done an excellent job in promoting speed sailing using hand held GPS devices and have brought a large number of new competitors to the sport of speed sailing. Their technical groups have worked hard in achieving good accuracy levels and the website does a great job in providing a platform to compare results across the world.

We would appreciate if GPSSS and GPSKS would formally present their findings about accuracy levels to the WSSRC instead of going a route of divisiveness. The WSSRC has stated to be open to any new timing methods, as long as their accuracy levels can be proven and comply with the general WSSRC rules. Both ISWC and IKA have stated on many occasions that we are happy to help in this endeavour.

The International Speed Windsurfing Class Committee
The International Kiteboarding Association Committee