Team New Zealand are targeting 250kph as the true potential of their radical land yacht becomes apparent.

Glenn Ashby piloted Horonuku to 222.4kph in just 22 knots of wind on Lake Gairdner in South Australia on Sunday evening to smash the wind-powered land speed world record of 202.9kph set by Britain’s Richard Jenkins on March 29, 2009.

Simulations suggested the design and engineering of Horonuku could get it past 250kph if the right conditions lined up and the team will look for those in early 2023.

A return to the salt surface of Lake Gairdner in January is a possibility if a favourable wind forecast of a steady 30 knots eventuates.

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To add almost 20kph to a record that has stood for more than 13 years is satisfying, but Team New Zealand want to produce a speed that really reflects the technological prowess of their craft.

Ashby described the new record as “a massive tick in the box” but added that it was really just a glimpse of what the land yacht could do and “deep down we know the craft can do more”.

As Ashby grows increasingly comfortable with the speed and handling of Horonuku, there’s a real feeling that they are only starting to scratch the surface in what could be achieved.