Windsurf – July 2019

82 JULY 2019

Test Editor Tris Best // Second Testers Maurin Rottenwalter, Joe North & Dan Hallam

// Photos Dan Hallam & Tris Best // Test Location Portland Harbour

FLIGHT’S PRIMARY IGNITION

The parameters suggested to the brands for our inaugural wind foil sail test were left incredibly broad and open, for one

simple reason. We wanted them to decide which product to put forward, and in doing so provide some understanding of

their design direction. A sort of litmus paper test to gauge whether there was a consensus amongst the largest sail lofts.

FREERIDE FOIL SAIL TEST

W

hen wind foiling first came into the limelight, one of the

most alluring points was its perceived ability to inject life

into light marginal winds. There were plenty of bold state-

ments made by various brands that full foiling bliss could be

achieved easily in less than 10 knots ... but in reality, even spicing up those

10-15 knot days was a real draw. With the introduction of the new power

source, the ability to reduce the sail size used was compelling - no one would

grumble at being able to use a smaller sail, with the obvious upside of ease

and handling.

Step forward a few years and the progression in foil and board technol-

ogy has been meteoric. The change in the sail’s role has also been analysed,

understood and evolved, leading to many foil-specific designs appearing. Our

brief to the brands for this review was to provide sails for foiling use in winds

between 10-18 knots. It has given rise to an eclectic bunch of sails, in sizes

from 7.8m to 5.8m, which is testament to the belief of many that when

foiling a rider can get away with sails two square metres smaller ... or two sail

sizes down from the sails normally used.