Pascal MAKA (FRA) sped into the history books with his record breaking run of 38.86 knots, setting a new World Sailing Speed Record as windsurfers became the fastest sail-driven people on the water.

During 12 days in July 1986, the 29 year old MAKA began the reign of the boards as he smashed the previous World Sailing Speed Record on multiple occasions, hitting a peak time of 38.86 knots or 72 kph.

Ever since the inception of the World Sailing Speed Record Council in 1972, the World Sailing Speed Record – sailing’s outright speed record set over a 500 metre course – had been in the hands of the Crossbow team led by helm Tim COLEMAN and designer Rod MACALPINE-DOWNIE.

At the inaugural Weymouth Speed Week in 1972, Crossbow, an asymmetric proa, set the record at 26.3 knots. Three years later the 30 knot barrier fell as Crossbow reached 31.24 knots, a speed which was increased to 31.8 and then 33.8 knots by the asymmetric catamaran Crossbow II in the following two years. In 1980 COLEMAN and the Crossbow II team improved their record yet again, this time to 36 knots.

Crossbow II’s time appeared way ahead of the chasing pack, but there were already signs of changes ahead. In the same year as Crossbow II hit 36 knots, Jaap VAN DER REST (NED) smashed through 20 knots on a board, and two years later, MAKA took his windsurfer to Portland and recorded 27.82 knots.

The boards' main advantage were their lightweight and small size, and as the times improved so the boards became smaller and lighter. What did not suit the boards was the conditions in Weymouth and Portland where the speed week was held, and so they moved to new venues searching for flatter waters and bigger winds.

By 1985, Michel PUCHER (AUT) had reached 32.35 knots on a board and Crossbow II’s record was beginning to look vulnerable.

July 1986 saw the world’s fastest windsurfers head to Sotavento on the island of Fuerteventura in the Canaries. MAKA was flying and came within half a knot of Crossbow II’s record. The next day things got even better with the wind speed intensifying and direction shifting slightly, setting up perfect conditions for broad reaching just off the shore where the sea was flattest.

The ideal conditions had arrived and the records tumbled. Jimmy LEWIS (USA), Fred HAYWOOD (USA) and Eric BEALE (GBR) all broke through the 36 knot barrier but nobody could complete with MAKA. Over 12 days of the speed trials in Fuerteventura, MAKA, on his tiny purpose-built Gastra board (just 2.6 m long and 0.3 m wide), broke 36 knots on an incredible 20 occasions and recorded speeds over 2 knots faster than anyone else, culminating in his record run of 38.86 knots.

The World Sailing Speed Record had fallen and the windsurfers had taken the crown.

Where Are They Now

In 1988 Pascal MAKA (FRA) amazed the sailing world again as he won a straight race with the 9 ton trimaran Paca on his tiny 84 kg Gaastra Slalomfoil. Later in the same year Eric BEALE (GBR) broke MAKA’s record and became the first man to ever pass 40 knots on a sail-powered vessel. By 1990 the crown was back with MAKA at 42.91 knots.

The record returned to the boats in 1993 as Yellow Pages Endeavour broke the 45 knot barrier. After an 11 year wait the boards came back, with Finian MAYNARD (IVB) setting a new mark and then increasing it to the current record of 48.70 knots in 2005.

ISAF In 1986

Peter TALLBERG (FIN) became President of the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU) in 1986, a role he would hold until 1994.