A new wind-powered land speed world record has been set, smashing a previous record which stood for over 13 years.
Key points:
- The wind-powered land speed record was last set in 2009 in the US
- A team from New Zealand has gone faster in northern South Australia
- The record still needs to be verified by the land yachting governing body
Team New Zealand — normally a sailing team — set the new benchmark on its land yacht, named Horonuku, at Lake Gairdner, a long white salt lake in South Australia’s far north.
Pilot Glenn Ashby successfully sailed the team’s wind-powered craft at a speed of 222.4 kilometres per hour on Sunday — in 22 knots (40.7 kph) of wind.
The time surpasses the standing record of 202.9 kph recorded by Richard Jenkins in the US in March 2009.
“The team and I are obviously buzzing to have sailed Horonuku at a speed faster than anyone has ever before — powered only by the wind,” Ashby said.
“But in saying that, we know Horonuku has a lot more speed in it when we get more wind and better conditions.
“For sure there is a cause for a celebration, but this isn’t the end.
“We know we can go faster, so we plan to.”
Before the speed is declared official, it will need to go through a v
