Rob Douglas (sailor)
Encyclopedia
Robert "Rob" Douglas is an American professional sailor known for using a kiteboard
in speed records attempts. In 2008 Douglas broke the world speed sailing
record on a kiteboard, hitting a top speed of 49.84 knots. Douglas again became the holder of the speed record in October 2010 when he was clocked at 55.65 knots.
, Massachusetts
, USA to a family which operated a sailing business.
Another new speed record was set by on October 28, 2010, at the Lüderitz Speed Challenge
in Namibia
. On that date, in perfect conditions, Douglas was one of five kiteboarders to top the previous record held by a trimaran
named L'Hydroptère. Douglas was the fastest of the fivesome on that day, setting a new world mark of 55.65 knots (103.1 kilometres per hour).
Douglas's record setting prowess led to him be nominated by the International Sailing Federation
for its 2011 ISAF World Sailor of the Year Awards
.
Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing or Kiteboarding is an adventure surface water sport that has been described as combining wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, and gymnastics into one extreme sport. Kitesurfing harnesses the power of the wind to propel a rider across the water on a small surfboard or a...
in speed records attempts. In 2008 Douglas broke the world speed sailing
Speed sailing
Speed sailing is the art of sailing a craft as fast as possible over a predetermined route, and having its overall or peak speed recorded and accredited by a regulatory body. The term usually refers to sailing on water, even though sailing on land and ice is progressively faster because of the...
record on a kiteboard, hitting a top speed of 49.84 knots. Douglas again became the holder of the speed record in October 2010 when he was clocked at 55.65 knots.
Early years
Rob Douglas was born June 16, 1971 in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, USA to a family which operated a sailing business.
Speed sailing record holder
In 2008, Douglas became the first person to set a world speed sailing record aboard a kite board, hitting a speed of 49.84 nautical miles per hour. This record proved to be short-lived, however, as another kiteboarder soon broke Douglas's mark, topping the 50 knot sailing barrier for the first time. Later in 2010 Douglas set three new American speed sailing records, being clocked at top speeds of 50.95, 51.88, and 52.58 knots.Another new speed record was set by on October 28, 2010, at the Lüderitz Speed Challenge
Lüderitz Speed Challenge
The Lüderitz Speed Challenge is an annual speed sailing event, held since 2007 in Lüderitz, Namibia, in the southern hemisphere spring. The event is organised by ESF Events, managed and owned by Frederic Dasse and French kitesurfer Sebastien Cattelan, and is observed by the World Sailing Speed...
in Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
. On that date, in perfect conditions, Douglas was one of five kiteboarders to top the previous record held by a trimaran
Trimaran
A trimaran is a multihulled boat consisting of a main hull and two smaller outrigger hulls , attached to the main hull with lateral struts...
named L'Hydroptère. Douglas was the fastest of the fivesome on that day, setting a new world mark of 55.65 knots (103.1 kilometres per hour).
Douglas's record setting prowess led to him be nominated by the International Sailing Federation
International Sailing Federation
The International Sailing Federation is recognised by the International Olympic Committee as the world governing body for the sport of sailing....
for its 2011 ISAF World Sailor of the Year Awards
ISAF World Sailor of the Year Awards
-Background:The ISAF World Sailor of the Year Awards were launched in 1994 by the International Sailing Federation. The awards are recognised as the pinnacle award a sailor can receive in recognition of his/her outstanding achievements by the world of sailing....
.
External inks
- North American Speed Sailing Project official website, www.nassp.net/
- "Fastest Sailor in the World: Rob Douglas Interview," www.youtube.com/ Uploaded November 18, 2010.