Wow.....what an experience! Getting used to the run in fully powered conditions today - it felt a lot windier than it was. Firstly Luderitz is definitely not easy. Gusty at the start making getting going one of the hardest challenges with huge gusts and sand hitting you before you can hook in. Then hook in very quickly, clear your eyes and accelerate round the bend and try and get everything locked down for the start gate. The next 500m is pretty hardcore...big gusts hitting you in the narrow channel but you also have to be ready for any lulls as your board steers upwind. I had one run when I was half way down when the course disappeared for 50m in a sheet of sand as a huge gust came through - goriila stance adopted :-) Then its full power through the finish with plenty of room to stop this year. I was completely breathless for 1 minute after the run!

Completely unique experience today - will never forget it! I tried to take it easy within the context of what I've written above....kept the bigger fin in and played it as safely as possible in the bigger gusts.

My verified 500m time was 44.57kts (very close to the GPS result). I'm proud of that today....good base to build from and I think it placed me respectably.  Faster times to come for sure.

Will upload photos to facebook shortly.