A blustery weekend in the UK has marked a significant achievement in the WASZP class as British sailor Toby Smith recorded an astonishing speed of 31.0 knots, setting a new class speed record.
This remarkable feat did not come from a meticulously planned attempt. Instead, Smith’s record-breaking run occurred spontaneously after he finished a race. After crossing the finish line, he noticed a substantial gust coming down the course and seized the opportunity, stating, “this might be the moment.”
After executing a jibe in winds estimated at 35 knots, Smith committed himself entirely to the experience, ultimately rewriting the WASZP record books with his incredible run.
Racing from the Royal Hospital School Sailing Academy in Suffolk, the young sailor represents a strong junior U18 pathway, demonstrating the growth of the WASZP class among youth in the UK. His record-setting run took place during the Start of Season Championships in Datchet, where conditions proved perfect for speed.
Looking ahead, Smith is focused on the upcoming European Championships scheduled for early July in Mar Menor, Spain, where he aims to compete at the highest level of youth foiling.
Smith described the feeling of exceeding 30 knots: “It just felt fast,” he noted, revealing that he had previously only surpassed 30 knots once. While he achieved the record of 31.0 knots, he is confident that there is more speed to be found, hinting at the possibility of reaching 34 knots in the future.
The young sailor emphasized that his setup was not specifically tuned for speed during the record run, indicating that optimising his boat could potentially yield even higher speeds. He mentioned that factors such as water temperature, flat water conditions, and wind strength significantly impact performance. Smith highlighted the importance of setup, control, and safety, indicating that as speeds increase, so does the required precision and reliability of the equipment.
Smith has been gradually edging towards this record for a year, recording speeds of 28.4 knots in Weymouth, progressing to 29.4 knots earlier this year, and reaching 30.4 knots just two weeks prior to his record-setting run. His competitiveness and desire for speed have driven him to pursue such milestones.
“Now that I’ve got it, I won’t want it to be taken away. So I’ve got to keep going and keep pushing for a better record, I guess,” he stated, looking forward to future challenges.
With the new benchmark set at 31.0 knots, Smith believes the potential for further speed is very much alive in his eyes, embodying the spirit of exploration in sailing.
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