the true is in Cagliari the wind is around 10knts and none of the top contenders seem to be in foils

would like to hear those who for years kept saying foils were the ultimate weapon for light wind

not for race, it appears

he has got a point tough.

If flysurfers were the shit in light wind.. the racers would have choosen them..
Cant see many here in Cagliari..

www.kitecagliari.com

They suck on the downwind legs. Apparently.

Summer Olympics? Wasn't that just on? ya!! the Mr. Bolt show three peat?

To much string on those ram air kites... that's gotta increase drag.

Kami, it´s not only they suck on the down-wind leg as u said. Looking to Cagliari videos they do not seem to give any advantage on the up-wind - meaning: i didn´t see flysurfers being reported crossing the up-wind mark in the first places and then loosing the advantage.

foils were also told to be the king for hang-time but even the local hang-time addicted goes with dynos...

maybe they got their advantages in LW with a TT, who knows...

nothing against foils, just commenting

well i do love hassling pumpy. its such a easy target.

but in this instance i think he is right. i have an ozone edge and and flysurfer speed 3.

the speed definately goes upwind better but it does it slower. the edge gives alot faster board speed and even though its bad down wind its twice as good as the speed. the speed is the worst downwinding kite i have flown. its horrible.

speed does kick arse in the glide department. but i can get higher on the edge.

ps the speed also stays in the air alot better in ultra light wind. its doesn't fall out of the sky like the leis.

the obvious reason why more riders aren't using foils is that if the wind was light enough for a foil to give a competitive advantage the race would be postponed due to lack of wind.


Lets also consider what makes a good race kite:

upwind angle performance
downwind angle performance
max speed up and down wind
fast relaunch
easy to maneuver among competitors kites.
easy to untangle in the event of a collision
predictable power delivery
fast transitions and easy to control lift for tacks and jibes
durability against collisions with other kites.
scale-able performance meaning the 7m works as well as the 17m and works similar enough to transfer the same skills between kites regardless of wind speed.


considering all of that info. there is only really 1 criteria that I see foils excel at. upwind angle.

don't get me wrong. I think foils are great. especially in light wind or if you want to boost big and float around for awhile. I just don't see them being competitive in an Olympics race.

Pumpy,

I think you should keep promoting the inflatable doll idea,
which could prevent accidents for your creditability

Inflatable Doll Reduces Traffic Accidents

http://www.rooftopcomedy.com/watch/BND_20120808

What if and i mean what if there was an Olympic discipline with a 5 mile course "upwind"only

And the wind very light 5-6-7 knots max to give foil (like SP3 21) an advantage

A skilled racer on the best raceboard available would sure leave all the tubes in its wake

So i agree with you C Johnson.....the 21 would win Gold...in that type of venue..and Supalo wind