Semi-Final: June 30, 2016
Curveur-Ihitsague defeated Tambourindeguy-Minvielle 2-1 (15-8, 6-15, 5-3)
Full match video
During the point that began at 4-1 C-I in the first set (9 minutes 30 seconds on the recording), a small number dropped below the scorebox. "151". I hardly noticed at first. But then small numbers started dropping below the scorebox with regularity. I made a note to watch the match again and didn't pay much attention to these numbers on the first viewing. On the second viewing all I could watch were the small numbers. They were kilometers per hour, the speed of the throws before they hit the wall.
Jai Alai/Cesta Punta is well known for its sometimes extravagant claims of being the fastest ball sport in the world. It has been claimed that the fastest Jai Alai throw was 302 kph (188 mph). But does this one throw tell us that Jai Alai/Cesta Punta is the fastest ball sport in the world? Of course not.
A few years ago, I watched a Jai Alai match in the South Basque that was televised on EITB. They clocked some of the throws. The fastest I saw was by the great back courter Imanol Lopez. He was throwing the ball over 200 kph (124.3 mph) with some regularity. He topped out, if memory serves, at 203 kph (126 mph). Unfortunately, the match is no longer available for viewing.
But does even this tell us that Jai Alai is the fastest ball sport in the world? Professional men's tennis serves are not even counted among the fastest unless they are a minimum of 225 kph (140 mph). The fastest badminton smash in competition was 332 kph (206 mph) at one time and has been surpassed since. Of course, they don't use a ball in badminton.
Top speeds do not really answer the question of what is the fastest ball sport in the world. The second time I watched this match, I watched for the speeds and tried to take down as many as I could. Canal+ didn't clock every throw. There are deliberately slow throws in Jai Alai (dejada's and desparate saves come to mind). So that all has to be taken into account. I counted 97 throws that were clocked, seemingly randomly, and quite a few more from front courters than back. There may have been throws that I missed. Jai Alai moves quickly.
That said, the fastest throw I saw clocked was a Curveur long rebote (rebound shot off the back wall). 167 kph (104 mph). He also had a rebote at 163 kph (101 mph). The slowest throws I saw clocked were two by Tambourindeguy: 142 and 143 kph (88 and 89 mph). Most throws in Jai Alai are "fast" throws. Of the 97 throws I saw clocked, 76 were between 149 and 151 kph (92.6 and 93.8 mph). Amazingly, 49 were clocked at 150 kph (93.2 mph). Certainly some "fast" throws were slower. But just as certainly, some "fast throws" were faster. What I came away from this exercise with was the realization that Jai Alai, on average, for this match, was played at 150 kph (93.2 mph). Note that this was an early match at the beginning of the Basque summer partido season. These are good players who throw the ball hard. But there are better players who throw the ball harder. 93.2 mph for throws, on average. Watch any Jai Alai match and you will see the percentage of fast throws. It is a very large percentage of a very large number of throws. Keep that in your mind the next time you watch a tennis match, a baseball game (hits and throws) or even a badminton match.
One other thing that is quietly astonishing. To my knowledge there has been no noticeable change in ball or cesta (basket) technolgy at this level in Jai Alai in the last century. If I am incorrect about this, please let me know.
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