Select to expand quoteFaff said..
Hi Faff, no plans for pure race wings, we prefer to use our resources to make the best possible wings for our customers, rather than chasing the current super high end race area, as seen in kite/windfoiling. If however the racing formats and rules allow a more open competition and equipment limitations, to allow a bigger group of consumers to join in, then we would of course be interested. Right now with 4000?+ foils which change at each event, specialised custom boards and wings, it's pretty far away from the actual market. Fun if you are in the scene and can afford it/ or are sponsored, not so much for an average consumer. :-)
Then you may be leaving money on the table. I sail, I mean wing, a spot with quite a few ageing slalom sailors. If I kicked their asses off the wind, they would have another reason to take up winging (besides ageing knees and backs). I don't see any youngsters getting into slalom windsurfing (or any kind of fin windsurfing). I do see youngsters getting into windsurf and wingfoil racing.
Could be, on the other hand we just did a National event in South Africa in January, nearly 40 wingers, not a single "race" wing in the fleet, 2km long reaches, 13 races, won by our foil designer Jerome Bonieux using a standard Unit/some races a D/LAB. Everyone had a blast and plenty of youngsters in that fleet, along with older people like myself - at the same event 30 windsurfers, as you say, hardly a youngster there, still having fun though, but with a ton more gear/costs. That event actually shows the benefits of both sports quite well, even if Winging has won the long distance the last 2 yrs...:-)
We believe in wing racing, just not the current system of arms race which only really benefits a few suppliers and is far too expensive for any youngsters to seriously follow. Once a more affordable system is in place, we'll be at the table, until then we'll focus on fun racing which is affordable for everyone, not just a few. But of course everyone is welcome to invest into race gear, I just think it's a bit unnecessary for most customers when you can already hit 30knots on a Dacron wing, which can be used in the waves or freestyle. :-)
Select to expand quoteCraigGDuotone said..
Could be, on the other hand we just did a National event in South Africa in January, nearly 40 wingers, not a single "race" wing in the fleet, 2km long reaches, 13 races, won by our foil designer Jerome Bonieux using a standard Unit/some races a D/LAB. Everyone had a blast and plenty of youngsters in that fleet, along with older people like myself - at the same event 30 windsurfers, as you say, hardly a youngster there, still having fun though, but with a ton more gear/costs. That event actually shows the benefits of both sports quite well, even if Winging has won the long distance the last 2 yrs...:-)
We believe in wing racing, just not the current system of arms race which only really benefits a few suppliers and is far too expensive for any youngsters to seriously follow. Once a more affordable system is in place, we'll be at the table, until then we'll focus on fun racing which is affordable for everyone, not just a few. But of course everyone is welcome to invest into race gear, I just think it's a bit unnecessary for most customers when you can already hit 30knots on a Dacron wing, which can be used in the waves or freestyle. :-)
There are a few (and probably more coming) race wings from other manufacturers. North have the Mode Ultra, Gong have their double skin wing, PPC have the M1-R, Starboard have obviously done their spec wing, Ozone the Fusion, Vayu their recently announced wing. Nothing from F-One as yet.
I think generally most of us quite like to go fast - the Blitz for example is a welcome addition to the range of Duotone foils.
It does seem a little odd to have that and not a wing to go with it - but I get what you are saying, you can quite happily go 30 knots with a D/Lab or Dacron wing.
Some of us do local racing or club racing, I do wonder if these racing wings have some advantage at all and I'm sure there is a market there for them. I don't ever see myself competing at the top level or trying to do national or international racing.
But I do see a race wing as being fast, amazing upwind, good overpowered and being super efficient in tacks/gybes - that doesn't sound like a wing that only appeals to top level international racers.
I will be reviewing the double skin PPC M1-R in the not too distant future - so I guess I'm going to find out what it's all about one way or another and whether the juice is worth the squeeze.
Select to expand quoteMeonAsh said..
....
I think generally most of us quite like to go fast - the Blitz for example is a welcome addition to the range of Duotone foils.
It does seem a little odd to have that and not a wing to go with it - but I get what you are saying, you can quite happily go 30 knots with a D/Lab or Dacron wing.
....
Ah... what's a Blitz?
Blitz 550 winning the first event this year:
www.instagram.com/p/DFIuNZ5NQQ2/?img_index=5&igsh=dDM3NTJmYmp2dzJm
Select to expand quoteMeonAsh said..CraigGDuotone said..
Could be, on the other hand we just did a National event in South Africa in January, nearly 40 wingers, not a single "race" wing in the fleet, 2km long reaches, 13 races, won by our foil designer Jerome Bonieux using a standard Unit/some races a D/LAB. Everyone had a blast and plenty of youngsters in that fleet, along with older people like myself - at the same event 30 windsurfers, as you say, hardly a youngster there, still having fun though, but with a ton more gear/costs. That event actually shows the benefits of both sports quite well, even if Winging has won the long distance the last 2 yrs...:-)
We believe in wing racing, just not the current system of arms race which only really benefits a few suppliers and is far too expensive for any youngsters to seriously follow. Once a more affordable system is in place, we'll be at the table, until then we'll focus on fun racing which is affordable for everyone, not just a few. But of course everyone is welcome to invest into race gear, I just think it's a bit unnecessary for most customers when you can already hit 30knots on a Dacron wing, which can be used in the waves or freestyle. :-)
There are a few (and probably more coming) race wings from other manufacturers. North have the Mode Ultra, Gong have their double skin wing, PPC have the M1-R, Starboard have obviously done their spec wing, Ozone the Fusion, Vayu their recently announced wing. Nothing from F-One as yet.
I think generally most of us quite like to go fast - the Blitz for example is a welcome addition to the range of Duotone foils.
It does seem a little odd to have that and not a wing to go with it - but I get what you are saying, you can quite happily go 30 knots with a D/Lab or Dacron wing.
Some of us do local racing or club racing, I do wonder if these racing wings have some advantage at all and I'm sure there is a market there for them. I don't ever see myself competing at the top level or trying to do national or international racing.
But I do see a race wing as being fast, amazing upwind, good overpowered and being super efficient in tacks/gybes - that doesn't sound like a wing that only appeals to top level international racers.
I will be reviewing the double skin PPC M1-R in the not too distant future - so I guess I'm going to find out what it's all about one way or another and whether the juice is worth the squeeze.
I look forward to this review Ash. I too am quite curious about the semi double skin wings coming on to the market. The efficiency gains would need to be significant to be of cost benefit
Select to expand quoteMrPieMan said..
Here's a recent review from a good YouTube channel:
Thanks for the review. I had the opportunity to back-to-back demo (4m) both the 2025 Unit SLS vs 2024 Unit and came to the same conclusion. Both wings were pumped to 8.5 psi. Rode each for an hour. After watching Klaus and Ken Winner's promo video on the new Unit, wondering if reducing the pressure by 1 psi or more will make the SLS more playful? Just a thought.
