Well they've done it - 2 cash strapped mainland tourists have taken the cheap alternative and kited from Tassie to Vic. Despite what we think of them 
that's a pretty impressive effort on one tack. (Do kites have a tack
)
To be fair, one of them is a respected blue water sailor and gave a good account of himself on telly - the footage even looked good.
Select to expand quoteYes that is correct record time, you lousy poleys did it in a mere 17hours while us superstar kiters did it in a lightning fast 11hours
1 million ----- zip
But that was in like 1980 or somthing ?
It wont be long before that record is cracked by a windsurfer
C'mon guys, lets use this thread to acknowledge that not all kiters are boardy over wetty wearing dropkicks doing stupid dangly things - this was a well prepared and executed feat of endurance by a couple of experienced and sensible sailors. Well done.
Gotta concede - that is impressive.
Perhaps they could try crossing the Tasman for their next adventure?
C'mon guys, lets use this thread to acknowledge that not all kiters are boardy over wetty wearing dropkicks doing stupid dangly things - this was a well prepared and executed feat of endurance by a couple of experienced and sensible sailors. Well done.
They hoped to get there in 10 hours, but they failed
www.abc.net.au/news/2009-09-02/kite-boarders-attempt-bass-strait-crossing/1414310?site=news
and they headed for Inverloch, but they failed to get there.
(and probably didn't even try as hard as Alison)
www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/07/2679003.htm?site=news
Alison is 100x greater a sailor than me. But why the formula gear?
Also, are you allowed to re-rig while crossing? Yachts can .... agh, what's the term? when you roll the sail up? Actually they can re-rig, what am I talking about?
I think the sailing term is either reefing or furling. Possibly a combination of both. Alison probably used formula gear as thats what she is most comfortable and familiar with.
I remember in the thread that followed her progress there was discussion about her gear and whether it was appropriate. Whatever rig chosen for such a crossing would have to be a compromise and be as versatile as possible.
that's a pretty impressive effort on one tack. (Do kites have a tack)
Im not so sure what the big deal is. Most people who take up kiting cross the line from when they once called themselves straight
Does swimming the last 1 km count. I thought you had to kite or sail the whole distance???
Select to expand quotegaryk said...
Yes that is correct record time, you lousy poleys did it in a mere 17hours while us superstar kiters did it in a lightning fast 11hours
1 million ----- zip
But that was in like 1980 or somthing ?
It wont be long before that record is cracked by a windsurfer
Yeah it was in the 80's,that was the last one of the poledancers.Im pretty sure they are all extinct now.
it was 1998.... "leaving the only successful, non-stop, unassisted crossing on such a craft with Nick Moloney in 1998."
i think that all the kiters in Australia should all kite to Tasmania and stay there, that would be impressive...
