October 18, 2007
Landsailing Event in Rachel

By Dave Maxwell

“Landsailing is like riding on a roller-skate with a big sail.” A description by one avid fan getting ready for the next North American Land Sailing Association event October 20-21 at Rachel Dry Lake.

Most people have heard of windsurfing: using a modified surfboard with a sail to zip up and down or across, lakes and rivers where strong winds are found. Modify the idea to using a rail with wheels and a sail and you have Landsailing.

Enthusiasts will gather in Rachel for the two-day competition, part of the annual Western Landyacht Club/U.S. Open Mini Yacht Association Annual UFO Rally. Landsailing has come a long way in the last few years with significant development in both the open (big, fast) classes, and the emerging mini-yacht class.

Bob Schumacher and Bob Dill set the world Landsailing speed record of 116.7 mph at Primm, Nevada, March 20, 1999.

There will be three classes: 1, 2, and 3 of Open Mini yachts.

The Rachel Dry Lake entrance road is located 3.6 miles west of the Little ‘A’ Le’ Inn on Highway 395. Ribbons will be placed at the turnoff to mark the entrance.