While wind-powered carts have been used to transport cargo for centuries, it’s only in the past few decades that land sailing has become popular as a competitive sport. A number of organizations sponsor races, including the Associación Patagonica de Carrovelismo and the North American Land Sailing Association.

Photo: Jean-noël Lafargue

Photo: Jean-noël Lafargue

Catching a gust in Quend, France. Modern land yacht designs can reach speeds of up to 126 miles per hour.

Photo: Jean-noël Lafargue

Photo: Jean-noël Lafargue

Out for a cruise in Germany, 1949. Larger designs, like the one pictured, were fairly common in the sport’s earlier days.

Photo: Deutsches Bundesarchiv

A modern two-seater design on exhibit in Saint Malo, France.

Photo: Kamel15

Photo: Kamel15

One of the world’s most famous land sailing spots is La Pampa del Leoncito, a massive clay plain located near the town of Barreal in western Argentina. The site hosts the annual Campeonato Mundial de Carrovelismo.

Photo: Adam Roy

Catching the breeze at Le Ouaisné, on the isle of Jersey.

Photo: Man vyi

Photo: Man vyi