Under Starter's Orders

This is the first occasion we’ve had an entry-level freeride sail category in our test schedule, which left our test team asking the most basic question, “What is required of an ideal first-time freeride engine?” And if the parameters are agreed and set, which of them should be prioritised? Ease of rigging and ease of use? Cost and affordability, or durability and range? Over to the team to expand.

FINDINGS

Last month we reviewed the very latest no-cam freerace sails on the market; sails that are easy to rig and free from the complications of cams … yet designed to cope in overpowered conditions, with enough performance on tap to satisfy even the most fanatical speed nut! So this month we jump to the other end of the spectrum, looking at the best power source for the novice rider taking their first steps into planing conditions. The first consideration therefore has to be ease and practicality of the sail’s rigging. It should be a cinch to put together and require little effort or knowledge. Better still, the sail should have a wide tuning target and natural range, meaning that it is forgiving and easy to use, even if rigged poorly.