Kitesurfers Ben Morrison-Jack and James Weight left Cape Grim near Stanley on Tasmania's North West tip just after 7am yesterday morning and arrived on dry land in South West Victoria just short of 12 hours later!
Ben & James have been friends since high school and whilst Ben has considerable ocean sailing experience (including America's Cup challenges and Sydney to Hobart races), James is a total newcomer to ocean crossings.
"It went really, really well. It was really good fun for most of it, then we obviously got tired towards the end" Ben said. "Our legs were cramping up and what not because the wind was a little bit different, but we got pretty much all the way here and then the wind died out a little bit so we had to swim the last little bit".
The pair were accompanied by a support craft to monitor their crossing and to lend assistance in case of an emergency. Under the terms of the record attempt however, they were not allowed any contact with the craft or it's crew whilst the attempt was in progress. The support boat was skippered by Grant Wharington, the well known Victorian sailor.
A kitesurf crossing of Bass Strait has never been attempted before. In March this year windsurfer Alison Shreeve failed in her bid to complete a crossing, suffering from mild hypothermia and cramps 80kms from the Victorian coastline, leaving the only successful non-stop, unassisted crossing on a windsurfer to Nick Moloney in 1998.
Snickers recognised the synergies with their "More Nuts" campaign so were the major sponsor!
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