Folks are doing distance runs. There were two recently over in Europe of 107 miles in fairly adverse conditions crossing from England to Holland:
Today, august 8 2005, 2 Dutch kiteboarders have attempted to cross the Englisch channel by kite. Stef de Jong and Gerhard van Geest started of at Lowestoft, England at about 10 am (Dutch time) for the 107 miles trip to Zandvoort, Holland.
Half way, Gerhard had problems with his gear and unfortunately the sea was too rough to give him a new kite,so he had to give up.
Stef continued on his own and at 6 pm he finally stepped ashore at Zandvoort.
This is a new world record for long distance kiting. Bad luck for Gerhard, but:
Congratulations Stef!
There will be more info on Stef's website soon I think:
www.kitesite.nl (Dutch)
from:
http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2318761
and
154 km in Holland, more at:
http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2318751
I understand there is to be an attempted crossing from Cornwall to Ireland soon as well.
Whip out that distance gear and get practicing.