Topspeeds from Down Under – A closer look

A few small discussions were started if the asymmetrical fins which were used are significant faster than symmetrical fins and so clearly supported these results. Well, I don’t want to answer this question, but I took a closer look on the results. The first I saw was how close 2sec., fastest 10sec. run and 500m are together. Craig Spottiswood had a 2sec. of 48.39knots, fastest run 47.75knots and 500m 45.95knots. In comparison to this some really fast sessions with a way bigger difference were done in the past. Two examples for those sessions are Hans Kreisel with 48.57/46.56/44.36 at The Brace and Hennie Bredenkamp with 48.38/45.97/40.98 at Luderitz, both were done with symmetrical fins. Just as well there are examples for sessions which were done with asymmetrical fins, Steve Thorp with 47.94/45.87/40.81 at West Kirby and Martin van Meurs with 45.51/42.99/40.63 at Terschelling Harbour.

In my opinion the big differences between 2sec., fastest run and 500m are mostly the result of bearing off from a sandbank or something like that or limited area. Maybe asymmetrical fins have advantages over symmetrical fins, but I don’t think this is the only reason for Craig Spottiswood’s results (of course beside the material he is an outstanding sailor and dominates the dayrankings very often). In addition there are sessions done with symmetrical fins and really small differences, for example Jacques van der Hout with 48.33/47.45/46.61 at La Franqui.

It’s really hard to figure out the differences between symmetrical and asymmetrical fins, probably a 1on1 comparison is the only way, but in my opinion the big results are more supported by perfect conditions and really good sailors!