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The coherent momentum kick from counterpropagating optical π pulse pairs forms the basis for fast two qubit quantum gate protocols, where the gate speed is not limited by the confinement strength. Towards this aim we demonstrate coherent optical excitation of an 171Yb+ ion using single picosecond pulses at 370 nm with a maximum population transfer of 94(1%), limited by imperfections in the pulse detuning (est. -33 GHz from resonance on a 339 GHz FWHM near transform limited pulse, 3GHz/hr drift) and intensity stability (2.4% pulse to pulse). Expected  gate fidelities for two fast gate pulse schemes were simulated using measured laser noise parameters and found to be 32% (GZC n=1) and 77% (Duan n=1).