Short Post

Hi

Here is a very short post regarding the Luderitz Speed challenge.  Their site is really interesting for all speed junkies.  If you have not done so, please have a look at it.  The winds so far have not been as strong as in previous years but a few national records have been broken.

A while ago I mentioned Sailloft Hamburg sails in a piece about Patrik boards.  Karen Jaggi was riding the Ultimate model from this maker.

Looking at the speed event pictures, I notice that Patrik is riding speed sizes of the Ultimate.

 

Does this mean that his involvement with Loft Sails is coming to an end?  He is still listed as an international team member on the Loft site but with Karin now part of Sailloft Hamburg, maybe Patrik will join up as well.  Watch this space!


good winds

Severne and Avanti

Hi

Some comments about new equipment.  Firstly I note that Severne is trailing everyone at publishing their 2016 sail line.  Not sure why but there is probably a good marketing reason.  I suppose that once you have your new line published, you battle to sell any current year sails still on dealer floors.

Speaking of new sails here are two 2016 versions of the Avanti models I always covet.  This year they are even better due to the fact that the overhanging batten above the boom on the Poweride has been dropped.  Yay!

The 3 Cam Condor

No Cam Poweride

What I especially like about Avanti’s sails is the use of really high tech scrims.  They are extremely fast and easy to sail (according to every review I can find) and of course, light and strong.  Nice work guys!

Both sails come in sizes 5.8/ 6.6/ 7.4/ 8.2/ 9.0 with the Poweride having an additional 5.2 size at the bottom end.  Batten numbers in the Poweride vary according to size.  Nice!  

Talk to you soon  

GA Phantom 7.8 - 2015 Review and new Fanatic Formula board

Hi

GA Phantom

Gareth forwarded me the link to this review.

http://www.windsurf.co.uk/test/ga-sails-phantom-7-8m-2015-test-review/

Their findings with the Phantom 7.8 are exactly as I would suspect - fast and easy.  As I've said before, Peter's designs have become so good at providing a linear power delivery which gives one huge confidence as you spool up.

Gareth and I were discussing this via e-mail (he is still in the UK but due back here within the next three weeks) and I was saying how suitable these sails are for the non-racing blaster.  The ease makes high speeds such a breeze and if you compare this sail with the Severne Overdrive you will feel the difference. 

The Severne is so fast and performance orientated but with this potential comes a concomitant price - no forgiveness  for fuzzy technique!  You will find that in the gusts, if your technique is not spot-on, (if you sheet out for instance) you will be continually fighting for control in strong conditions. Exhausting and intimidating!

Of some small concern is the tester's finding that the cams on the Phantom are difficult to rotate. I'm sorry to hear this but I am fairly sure that when Gareth's arrives, we will sort any rotation problem out - no problem.

Fanatic have introduced their new Formula Board  

Dan says that he will do with the formula model what he has done with their slalom boards - create a shape as good as the best out there and I believe him.  

Up until last season, if I were in the market for a formula board my choices would have been Mike's Lab, Starboard and Gaastra (in that order).  The big Fanatic didn't appeal some how.  This one however, I have a good feeling about.  Watch this space!

I note that most of the designers test their shapes using Z Fins or Kashy.  I hope that we can test a Zulu fin in one of these machines this season.  Robbie??

Good winds  

    

Gybing Post

Hi
Regular readers will know that I do something about gybing from time to time.  This is one of those gybing posts.

I have tried to simplify the slalom gybe by breaking it down into its constituent parts.  I have used a live gybe by one of the experts (Matteo Iachino I think).

Here he comes entering the move at full tilt

He retains pressure on the inside rail and begins to flare the sail (important)

Note how he keeps his eyes on where he wants to go.  He continues pulling the boom towards the outside of the turn .  He steps with knees bent.

His front foot is forward controlling and stabilizing the board.  The amount he has flared the sail is really apparent.  The board very briefly straightens out because his weight is over the centre line.  I have the feeling that he has stopped looking at where he wants to go.  Antoin never finds himself in this position

He flips, and resumes carving by forcing his heels down and looking into the direction he wants to go.  His speed allows him to continue through the gybe.  You can see the slight mistake in the wake.  

He lifts the front of the boom up, keeping the rig away from his body.  This is the point where he will suddenly break at the knees to very briefly remove his weight from the board.  This serves to keep the board planing and will also bring the nose down. 

The nose settles and his arms are straight ready to pump.  See ya!

 All the best 

Good winds

New iSonic and X-Fire Boards

Hi

Starboard

Visuals of the new iSonics have been around for a while.  I have to say that I'm not that impressed with the graphics.  They look like something I might have come up with (not good!)

These pictures come from Jeffrey van Hoe's weblog.  Thanks Jeffrey.

The needle-like tails remain on the boards.  I understand that the size with the biggest changes has been the 124 which will be completely different from the 2015 shape.  The other sizes have changed but not much.



One thing of interest with these boards is the new light weight straps.  I use Kovalski light straps and have really got to like them over the years.  The problem with the Kovalskis is that they are not adjustable.

These Starboard straps have adjustment (OK you need a screw driver but it looks to be quick, easy and a nice simple system).








RRD

Here are some shots of the new X-Fire profiles.  Much the same as this year I think.  They certainly look polished and the new graphics are reasonable.

Talk to you soon
Good winds

2016 North Warp

Hi

I found this 2016 North Warp presentation on dailymotion (from Wind Magazine).  Apologies to all the non-French speakers but I'm sure that the visuals are reasonably interesting.

As I keep saying, this foil just seems so simple and for me, that is part of the appeal.  Add to this the phenomenal results the team are achieving and you will appreciate what an elegant piece of design it is.  I also like the fact that the long batten does not protrude too far beyond the boom end.

   

Présentation North Sails Warp F2016 by Wind_Magazine


Enjoy and I will talk to you soon.

Our winds are almost ready to kick in for the new season.  Can't wait!

New GA Sails

Hi
Just a quick note to give you some info about the 2016 GA Matrix, Cosmic and Phantom lines.

I hope that Anthony gets a Cosmic 7.5 in this year.  This is the size I like to experiment with and I just have the feeling that in 7.5, the Cosmic could be something special for the non-racer.  For the 8.5m size, I would definitely go with the Phantom.

I hope that you are able to expand the images.  I need to publish this and get back into the blog to see if that can be done,

Good winds
Phil