Dear all,

Firstly, a big thank you to all who have helped on my crazy quest over the past few years, very much appreciated.

Now, to confirm the rumour that I am returning to Lake Lefroy this year, with a significantly better yacht and slightly more of an entourage! Believe it or not, I have actually found a sponsor, a UK wind power producer. Not mega bucks, but enough to buy the kit we need to get it done, and have enough cold beer and steak in the esky!

In my past experience of the lake the best time for wind and surface combination is late August, so we will be on record standby from 24th August until the 6th September.

As many of you missed my previous visits due to my antisocial sailing times, may I take this opportunity to invite you all for a beer / BBQ etc on the weekend of 30-31st August.

Bob Dill from America will be with me for the duration as official timekeeper, but if any of you wanted to add your names to the list of official observers and were able to make it to the lake at short notice, this would be much appreciated.

I will be camped out at the lake for the duration so feel free to drop in at any time.

One requirement I would like to request at this early stage is that Windjet has priority of the 'speed strip' sailing area during record conditions. It would be great to have company and observers, but having a lake full of boats / obstacles could hinder at best and be very dangerous at worst. At max speed, I am often on the edge of control and would request that sailors keep a big distance (3 miles)between themselves and Windjet during high speed sailing. If this could be understood by everyone before arriving, it will save my time on the day and maximise the chances of setting a new world record at Lefroy.

I look forward to seeing you all there!

Very best regards,

Richard.

WOW!!! Welcome Richard!! Thanks for sharing this with us. I won't be able to attend but will be keeping a very close eye on your attempt. Good luck!!

116.7 MPH or 187.8 KPH

the very best of british luck to you, i'll be keeping an eye on this thread, where abouts in the uk are you based? i'm in cumbria

Arjay said...

As all have said, best of luck for the attempt!! I noted your request for clear space, shouldn't this be something you put to the local authorities?? I'd hate to see your trials stuffed up because of some fool on a yacht, bike, 4wd all terrain vehicle, etc........

Hi Arjay, if any nut takes their motor bike, car etc onto the lake they do not get far. If we are feeling generous we give them a shovel to fill in the holes on the lake when they leave. Most of the local landsailors tended to sail their smaller yachts in the pond when Richard was out the last couple of times doing serious runs and leave the rest of the lake for the big guns. We try to keep quiet about local authorities. They know we there, we do not bother anyone and they don't bother us. Seems to have worked well so far

Hi All, Windjet modifications coming on well and on schedule for an Early August setup, but I see you have had some significant rain, the most for a long time. Any reports of how much water is on the lake?

Best regards,

Richard.

been trying to get in touch . about 100mm over 4 days, 50mm last night alone I would expect that we will be off the lake till mid to late August. Im hoping the wind will not blow the the water away as this will really thin the salt out near the clubhouse and you will need to set up way out on the causeway. There is now an extra caravan at the clubhouse for your support team. We will let you know when we get a better depth reading. Are you in Oz yet?

It just rained again. Sometimes I can never get my head around the Kal weather station figures. My gauge got 50mm in the same time period. I would expect Lefroy to get more. Wind today was from the north till the mid a'noon,which is keeping salt where we want it. then it rained again from the NW. Expecting more tonight.
Sorry

this time... DON'T FORGET THE CAMERA!!

the green and black version is now on the lake and basially rigged. rchard has had to set up on the second pond due to little puddle of water 5kms wide on the main lake. Guess what i forgot to take to the lake
fortunately the noted windsurfing photographer known to you all as Birdseyeveiw was there to get some good shots . we can hope t see some later in the week.
Alot of bugs seem to have been ironed,or carboned out, and there is even a passenger seat. the yacht is very much looking like it will go out and just do the job.
stay posted

Wow!! Is that a new yacht or the one he had here last year modified?

Is the wing free to rotate, and the tailplane works like a trim tab and adjusts the angle of attack? What a clever idea

Don't think I'd want to be the one designing the adjustment system for that wing

Another stupid question, is the outrigger pod designed to be on the downwind side?

Other locations could include roads or long airfields, which is outside the nalsa rules, but would enable high speed tests which are very necessary.

Cheers,

Richard.

Trav
Good to see you on here.
Cheers
Vic

crazy trav said...

heyyyy richard !!! welcome back to the land of oz remember if you need anything just give us a yell. are you still out at the yacht club?.

a big hellooo to everyone else too thought id better start joining in the fun. and remember it isnt fun unless you have scared yourself or in my case damaged myself and gone night flying. end result broken yacht, and broken reputation hehehehe.

Helloooooo my little lovely, welcome to the bun fight, we'll have to get you a secret avatar. remember what us superheros say, never reveal your true identity

Blimey trav , dont show em the new Kite buggy design until AFTER ive painted it