MARKE

MARKE THE WRIST-WORN, WATER-RESISTANT ACTIVITY KEY LETS YOU LOCK EVERYTHING, INCLUDING THE KEY, INSIDE. It’s easy to see why the sport is so addictive. Robert skims the sand just two inches from the surface, and can easily hit 60mph with nothing but wind and skill. There are no brakes: He slows by throwing the buggy into a sideways drift, or by raising his kite so it remains taut but directly overhead and no longer pulling him forward. His cargo hauling needs are different to Phil’s. Robert says he could get three buggies in the back of the XF Sportbrake once disassembled and with the split/fold rear seats flipped forward. And pulling away on loose or slippery surfaces like wet sand is made much less stressful by the All-Surface Progress Control. You simply dial in the speed you’d like to maintain, place your feet on the floor, steer the wheel and the car does the rest, tailoring the throttle, transmission and ABS response to help ensure a seamless getaway*. If only the wind were as predictable. The problem with this free means of propulsion is that it doesn’t always show up, or turns up in force. Robert often comes to Benone at dawn or late at night to catch the right conditions. Phil joins us later when conditions improve, launching off some low sand dunes. “It’s not easy to fly here,” he adds. “The wind is variable and too strong sometimes, but if you can fly here, you can fly anywhere.” Sitting in comfort in the cabin of the XF Sportbrake, we look out over Benone Strand at the blue north Atlantic Ocean, with the Inishowen peninsula of County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland on the left, the impressive Mussenden Temple perched on the cliff edge above Downhill to the right, and the Scottish island of Islay north on the horizon. There are worse ways to pass the time when the wind won’t cooperate than to leave the trunk packed, grab a coffee from the shack on the beach and shoot the breeze with the locals. The wind may vary, but the stunning views of Northern Ireland are always here. Visit jaguarusa.com to build yours and choose your accessories *These features are not a substitute for driving safely with due care and attention and will not function under all circumstances, speeds, weather and road conditions, etc. Driver should not assume that these features will correct errors of judgment in driving. Please consult the owner’s manual or your local authorized Jaguar Retailer for more details. Above left: The optional Activity Key is perfect when engaging in outdoor sports. Top right: The XF Sportbrake boasts a full-length panoramic sunroof. Bottom right: 12-time Irish kite buggy champion Robert Finlay. 64 THE JAGUAR

PHOTOGRAPHY: LKJDÄLKJDF KJLÄKJ ÖÄÖK ; DFÄÖLKJÄLKDJ ÖÄDFÖÄ (2) THE JAGUAR 65