Emirates Team New Zealand and Land speed pilot Glenn Ashby have sailed ‘Horonuku’, their wind-powered land speed world record craft, faster than any previous records.

‘Horonuku’ named by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, meaning ‘gliding swiftly across the land’ did exactly that and was clocked at 222.4km/h in 22 knots of windspeed on Lake Gairdner in South Australia.

Pilot Glenn Ashby was clearly happy with the run, but also tempered with the knowledge that Horonuku can go much faster. “The team and I are obviously buzzing to have sailed Horonuku at a speed faster than anyone has ever before - powered only by the wind. But in saying that we know Horonuku has a lot more speed in it when we get more wind and better conditions.” Said Ashby.

“So for sure there is a cause for a celebration, but this isn’t the end. From initial idea and the beginning of this world record attempt, which was pushed and supported by Grant Dalton, Matteo de Nora and the rest of the team at Emirates Team New Zealand, the objective has never been about just beating the record, it has always been about pushing things to the limit and going as fast as we possibly can. We know we can go faster, so we plan to.”

Horonuku is fitted with an approved GPS which records survey grade, differential GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) data which provides 21 data points over the two second record period

Before the 222.4km/h speed is declared ‘official’ there is a stringent verification process that needs to be conducted in accordance with the international governing body FISLY (Federation Internationale de Sand et Land Yachting) for the new world record speed to become ratified.

There has been an independent FISLY approved judge on the ground at Lake Gairdner to witness and verify the run, the GPS recording from Horonuku and all other mandatory requirements of a record attempt – and must submit all related data to FISLY within 48 hours

Horonuku is fitted with an approved GPS which records survey grade, differential GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) data which provides 21 data points over the two second record period. Each of those data points supplies a position estimate accurate to around 10mm. This will deliver an average speed over two seconds the result of which will be directly comparable to that of the standing record of 202.9km/h recorded by Richard Jenkins on March 29th 2009, a record which has stood for over 5000 days.

“The Land speed project has been a new opportunity to push the boundaries in aerodynamics, structural forces, construction methods and materials fields.” said Emirates Team New Zealand Principal Matteo de Nora. “What is often underestimated is that the technologies we explore in challenges like this- or in an America's Cup campaign - are ultimately the foundation of tomorrow's technology. Being ahead of the times in technology is what fascinates about all the challenges faced by the team so far.”

Emirates Team New Zealand’s Wind powered Land speed World Record attempt at South Australia’s Lake Gairdner. The Land yacht called ‘Horonuku’ is assembled on the lake and taken for its first sail. Photo: James Somerset

The high speed runs by Ashby and the team comes after a frustrating few months of weather delays at the Lake due to unprecedented rainfall and surface water leading to delays in the program, and the weather forecast for this weekend was equally as challenging with significant wind direction changes and the dreaded threat of rain and thunderstorms.

“As a team we have been hanging off every weather update from Clouds all week, so have been doing everything possible to be ready for the small windows that present themselves to us. What originally looked like a good 20-22 knot day all day Saturday ended up not delivering the winds we needed.” explained Ashby.

“With rain in the surrounding area, and less wind in the foreseeable forecasts after Sunday we were running a fine line. So the fact we have managed to thread the needle and do a few record runs is especially satisfying. But one thing that we have always understood and has been abundantly clear, is that no matter how prepared you are, you cannot achieve a result like this without an amazing team around you and a little help from Mother Nature.”

Now the team has passed the previous record speed and is confident that with more wind Horonuku has the ability go even faster, the team will take a break and await a perfect forecast to have another run.

In the absence of any more breeze in the foreseeable future and Christmas just around the corner that is likely to come in 2023.

Hopes were high for an opportunity at a world record run on Saturday for the Land Speed team out on Lake Gairdner in South Australia.

The forecasts did indicate some good opportunities for some 20+ knot breezes, however, those required winds were in disappointingly short supply, explained pilot Glenn Ashby. “Unfortunately, we haven’t quite had enough breeze out there. We had a few tiny puffs come through that were just over 20 knots, but they were super short-lived and basically never had the wind strength to crack into any decent numbers.”

Most of the runs undertaken by Horonuku were in around 17-18 knots of breeze from the NNW, which while short of the required wind speed for any record-breaking runs, did allow Ashby to get a number of runs up to 184km/h allowing him to tweak the balance and control of the craft which he is becoming increasingly comfortable with- at times effortlessly floating the windward pod off the ground while travelling over 180km/h.

Land speed record pilot Glenn Ashby takes the host seat. Emirates Team New Zealand’s Wind powered Land speed World Record attempt at South Australia’s Lake Gairdner. The Land yacht called ‘Horonuku’ is assembled on the lake and taken for its first sail Photo: James Somerset

Ray Davies who is on the ground as part of the Land Speed team was impressed at the increasing control Ashby is developing after one run, feeding back to Ashby, “That was a really nice run for control, it just looked like you were flying the pod beautifully then.”

The team remains optimistic at another opportunity for increased breeze on Sunday, with the forecast models of the day being favourable for the wind to provide a few more knots of wind speed now out of the SW of possibly between 20-24 knots.

“We are all like coiled springs at the moment and are ready to react at a moment's notice, so will be out on the lake ready to roll in the optimal breeze, which is looking like arriving much later in the day,” said Ashby.