Langman flies a kite again!!

by David Culp on 12 Nov 2004 For the first time in a major ocean race, spinnaker-replacement kites will be flown on a maxi racing yacht, Sean Langman's 66-foot AAPT (ex Grundig), in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race starting on December 26, 2004.

AAPT has taken line honours in almost every offshore race in Australia, and is known as a serious giant-killer, regularly mixing it up with much bigger 90 footers.

But to capture his first Sydney Hobart line honours trophy this year, Langman knows he has do something completely new - go fly a kite.

The OutLeader(tm) kite flies in the stronger stable wind well above the level of the boat's masthead, providing enormous pulling power. The kite looks like half of a giant parachute, but measures as a spinnaker. Unlike a normal spinnaker, it is sheeted only from the deck, so it doesn't contribute to heeling the boat or burying the bow.

This means that the risks of uncontrolled spinnaker wipeouts are almost eliminated.

Never one to shrink from adding leading-edge developments to the already blisteringly fast 66-foot 'skiff-on-steroids' AAPT, owner and skipper Sean Langman is excited to be breaking into new territory again. 'I am definite on having a go,' Langman says. 'The whole crew is looking forward to the kite.'

AAPT's 420 square meter OutLeader kite is being designed and built by Kite Ship Corporation of Martinez, California, who have been developing
sailing kites for more than 25 years.

KiteShip's President Dave Culp explains: 'We know of no other controllable traction kite which simultaneously has only 3 lines, no bridles, no inflatable chambers and no
battens or spars, which is why we have patented it.' Over 40 yachts from 30 to 75 feet are now using OutLeader(tm) kites, but AAPT is the first big boat to race offshore with one.

The AAPT crew is planning some serious training sessions with their new kite. 'It's a bit different when your spinnaker flies on 100 metre sheets, 70 metres above the water,' says KiteShip's head sail maker, Roger Hall.

'But since the OutLeader kite needs no pole, it is a joy to gybe.'

Using OutLeader kites will also free AAPT's crew from having to pump water ballast aboard the lightweight downwind flyer to counteract a normal
spinnaker.

'I reckon the most benefit for us will be the reduction of heeling moment, leading to less water ballast of which we currently use 3
tonnes down wind, ' says Langman.

The 60th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race starts on Sydney Harbour on December 26th 2004 and finishes 628 miles south in Hobart, Tasmania.

It is often described as the most gruelling long ocean race in the world. No yacht race start in the world attracts such a huge number of spectators - both on the water and lining the shore. If the wind gods allow, the spectacle of
AAPT powering through the harbour under her huge kite will be an eye-opener.

Sean Langman just wants to go fly his kite all the way to a giant-killing win in Tasmania.

ABOUT KITESHIP CORP. KiteShip(tm) Corporation is a group of forward-thinking sailors, designers and visionaries, who have been
exploiting the fundamental advantages of traction, kites for decades. The company, based in California, but with agents on all continents, is focused on designing, developing, manufacturing and licensing technology relating to large kites coupled to watercraft - from sailboats all the way to large commercial ships.

CONTACT: Dave Culp, President, Kite Ship(tm) Corporation

2004 Silver Lake Way, Martinez, CA 94553, USA

Tel: +1 925 550 6738

Fax: +1 509 471 1881

Email: dave@kiteship.com

Web: www.kiteship.com