Anke Brandt eyes new world record

Manama: Bahrain-based German kite surfer Anke Brandt has set off from Bahrain to UAE in her attempt to set a new world record by covering 550km from Bahrain to Abu Dhabi.

Brandt currently holds the record for longest distance kite-surfed by a woman, a record she set when she circumnavigated Bahrain in 2014. With the goal of setting a new record, she set off from ART Rotana in Amwaj Islands alongside a support boat yesterday evening.

Speaking to DT News, a representative from Brandt’s team confirmed that she began her attempt at 4 pm yesterday.

“Anke left today (Thursday) along with the support boat with the team on board exactly at 4pm as planned,” she said, adding that Brandt is expected to reach Abu Dhabi at Bahrain time 4 pm today.

“It is going to take up to 24 hours, so 4 pm Bahrain time tomorrow (Friday) is the expected finish,” the representative added.

“I’ll be kiting non-stop going with the wind until I reach the beach at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. The main challenge will be kiting at night over fairly unfamiliar waters, ” Anke had said on Tuesday.

Through the mission, Brandt hopes to raise $5,500 for “Wings for Life,” a charity organisation that is trying to find a cure for spinal cord injury through ongoing research.

“People can donate online or contact my team through our social media channels and purchase the mission’s official t-shirt,” Brandt said.

“I believe your body can do incredible things and it is important for us to work on finding a cure for spinal cord injury,” she added.