Emirates Team New Zealand sets a new wind powered land speed record
by Sail-World.com/nz 13 Apr 2023 18:05 NZST
13 April 2023
Glenn Ashby with Horonuku being set up for the new wind powered speed record © Emirates Team NZ
Two months after Emirates Team NZ first broke the world wind powered speed record, the team has returned to Lake Gairdner and broke the existing mark, which has now been ratified.
The official Wind-Powered Land Speed World Record now stands at 225.58km/h (140.17mph). Set in just 23 knots (42km/h) of wind.
The previous mark, set by Emirates Team NZ's Horonuku piloted by Glenn Ashby was 222.4km/h, with the previous mark set by Richard Jenkin was 202.9 km/h.
Jenkin's mark had been unbroken for over 13 years. But, as revealed in ‘Land of Speed’ the documentary covering the Emirates Team New Zealand land speed campaign, the new world record was relatively short lived.
Pilot Glenn Ashby explains of the opportunistic window presented to the team. “In February we were really coming back to the lake pack up the craft. We had to get Horonuku and the containers back to New Zealand. But a few days out, Clouds our Meteorologist indicated there was a possible weather opportunity, so we rattled our daggs and got to the lake.”
Horonuku is now back in New Zealand and to commemorate this incredible feat, Toyota New Zealand are putting the World Record setting land yacht on a public event during the school holidays, and you're invited!
The craft named Horonuku by Ngati Whatua Orakei meaning, 'gliding swiftly across the land' will be located at Te Komititanga between Britomart Station and Commercial Bay in downtown Auckland.
Come down and see Horonuku up close, watch the 'Land of Speed' documentary [SW: It's outstanding!] and try a VR 360-degree experience that replicates sailing Horonuku and learn how the craft travels at over five times the speed of the wind powering it.
You'll also have the opportunity to meet Glenn Ashby and some of The Emirates Team New Zealand Land Speed members who made this possible. The team members will be onsite every day from 12.30 pm to 1 pm, and the Land of Speed documentary will play every hour on the hour.
Event Name - Toyota & Emirates Team New Zealand bring you Horonuku
Name of Venue - Te Komititanga
Dates - 19th April - 22nd April
Times - 10.00am - 6.00pm
Event Costs - Free