'Buzz unmatched' - Gibson breaks windsurfing record

Jenna Gibson set a new world record speed for a female windsurfer last week

Dorset-based athlete Jenna Gibson has said the feeling of breaking records and competing in speed windsurfing is "unmatched".

The 27-year-old set a new world record speed for a female windsurfer last week, competing at the world speed windsurfing event in Luderitz, Namibia.

Gibson finished with a 500m record at 48.03 knots, as well as being the first woman to break the 50-knot barrier for peak speed.

"You don't really know straight away if it was a quick run," Gibson told BBC Sport.

"The fastest runs come from when you feel most comfortable and I did get a feeling right after that it was quick because slowing down right at the end was a lot harder than usual!

"There's only quite a short stopping distance too due to it being a man-made trench. It's all been a bit of a whirlwind since but I'm super-happy and excited about it all."

The competition is held on a trench with optimal ground wind speed to maximise speed performance.

In total, Gibson broke the pre-existing world speed record of 47.96 six times during the competition, setting the new high-standard of 48.03.

Gibson, who lives and trains in Poole, usually competes in the Slalom IFCA class and is a four-time world champion, unbeaten in six years of competing.

"The sport is such an adrenaline rush and the buzz you get after is unmatched," Gibson added.

"This last year I've put quite a lot into trying to improve my speed and it really paid off.

"I also love competing on the racing scene with windsurfing so I definitely won't be stopping that any time soon."