Sorry, Alex - I have to disagree with you and side with PMU here
I agree that self-rescue is a relevant issue in a complete "Light Wind Challenge".

However, I think we'll find that when you test the low-end on the big light-wind kites, the S3 21 will still be in the air when the best of the foils has dropped out of the sky Then, when it comes time to rescue and swim in, the foil do just fine ...
The biggest PITA with the S3 21 is packing up ... despite 2 enormous holes in the trailing edge, it takes F-O-R-E-V-E-R to get enough air out to roll it up tight enough to pack into a ... erm ... pack.

So if only to prove the point once and for all that self-rescue with a foil is not an issue, it should be included

... my latest kitemare - Crossbow dropped in a lull T.E. down onto the water, then a teeny-weeny wave washed over it and swamped the kite. I managed to relaunch it but there it was a long time of trying to get the L.E. up enough to drain the water off the sail.
Doesn't happen with a foil

I will side with Alex on this one. In a light wind challenge, I'd like to see which kites perform best and worst in light wind.

I wouldn't mind seeing a self rescue test on the side. I think self "rescue" is worth comparing as a convenience (like relaunching, packing, repairing), but I believe it is a harmful concept to promote as something to depend on for your life. Excellent marketing and a great way to sell kites. If self rescue is extremely important to a rider, I believe it's time to rethink a few things like judgment and flying skill.

John

Of course, wind range should be the primary focus but a part of actually being out and riding is dealing with gusts and lulls and drop-outs.
The reason why I "support" PMU in this is that I don't believe foils will fail or prove to be disadvantaged at all

... of course, it's a totally synthetic test - the odds of actually having to swim in with a modern foil are very slim

Siding with the covert FS agent? Agreeing with him defeats his purpose for being here: pure provocation. You'd disappoint him.

I agree that self-rescue is a relevant issue in a complete "No Wind Challenge".

In any case, the best self rescue "rider" is likely to be the worst light wind rider, for obvious reasons.

That'd be a shame wouldn't it


I'm going to be a troll and say "Well obviously they're an LEI rider aren't they?"

As others have said there are so many different types of self rescue and anyone with a bit of experience will have had to do it a few times. I've had to swim in with both LEI and ram air kites - haven't experience with arcs. Neither swim was fun. Distance with the foil was about 300M until I could stand up and sort the kite. Distance with the LEI was further. I was about 500M off shore but there was a strong cross shore wind and tide running that way so probably 1000M by the time I got to shore swimming with the kite, current, wind, etc. Neither kite 'sank'.

In related situations I have swamped a foil kite in a shore break and I have bow tied a LEI bursting the leading edge in similar conditions. In both cases the kites became anchors pretty quickly. The foil I had flying again in 45minutes once I untangled the bridle...the LEI required a repair to the leading edge and a new bladder.

So...yes...I am interested in self rescue but let's be realistic. I sure wouldn't volunteer to do a deep water pack down and swim with a bunch of different kites on the same day. I'm nowhere near fit enough to do more than one of those in a day. What I would be interested in is the testers going onto the safety and then re-launching - in shallow water and in deep water.

I'm also interested in the 'usable / safe' wind range for the kites tested. A historic problem with big light wind kites is they were good but in a very limited low wind range. One knot over the top and you were well over powered... So when things start picking up and getting gusty what happens?

Ps...If it isn't on the list for the test you should add the Ocean Rodeo Flite. Tried one the other day in Wales. Simple, uncomplicated, easy to use, loads of power / de-power. I liked it a lot.

PMU was suggesting 1000m off-shore ...

I think getting gusty rising winds on a day or days when you do a light-wind test would be pushing the bounds of good luck. We may have to rely on anecdotal evidence for those ... of course, you have to take it with a grain of salt

Regarding our closest local spots here, I've only ever once kited in cross-shore wind. The rest of the time it's been on-shore to some degree ... and even if it's not, there's a beach a few hundred meters of where we are at all times.

This was posted on the Flysurfer Facebook wall recently.

IKA Slalom World Championships Day 3: First Heats.



A nice review of the ongoing Grand Prix race can be read here: http://www.sailingmurcia.com/

-joedy

Hi Guys,

This video might interest you.

It's Race Director Bruno de Wannemaeker talking about the winds we had.

Especially interesting should be the last third of the video regarding the races in day one being held just above the 6 Knot (average) wind minimum.



--
Gunnar

Ive tried 9 light wind kites in the last 16 months. I have to say the Epic Infinity has taken the lead by a looong stretch! Will be trying the Fluid 17m(against the Infinity soon) and hopefully the "fat Lady" as well. low knots are important as well as upwind ability, and relaunch in next to no wind. Dimitri has been hammering us with the hype all year and now after trying it I am a true believer! I even ordered one. I will keep it until I find one that can beat it, then will buy that one.