Forums > Wing Foiling General

Wing foil racing

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Created by north_kiter > 9 months ago, 27 Nov 2022
north_kiter
NSW, 233 posts
27 Nov 2022 7:32PM
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Interested in learning what the average speed is for a race setup winging with no wave assist on a close haul and a broad reach, what gear is best?

I'm on current gen gofoil and average 20kmph on all my sessions, using a fenix 6 to record all sessions, are you faster?

MidAtlanticFoil
672 posts
27 Nov 2022 6:38PM
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Saw this post last night. Check the second slide to see what 34.6 knots looks like:

www.instagram.com/p/ClbtfBVM_sZ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

My averages are right around 20mph when on broad and close haul.
Seems like Mikes lab is best option stateside and Chubanga foils in Europe. Levitaz and F-one also good.

Jethrow
NSW, 1224 posts
27 Nov 2022 10:02PM
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I can definitely do better that 20km/h (11 knots?). 20 M/h is a bit harder for me.

I'm pretty much just intermediate but I get 12 - 14 knots out of my PNG1150 and slick 5m wing.

north_kiter
NSW, 233 posts
28 Nov 2022 5:36AM
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I should've clarified, using 5.5/6.5m wings, 2 years in and my averages would include riding wind bumps too so may not be an accurate reflection.

So what is the average speed of your system for cruising without slowing down to ride wind chop bumps. I'm try to work out if there is a speed difference between different brands fone, sabfoil, gofoil, cabrinha, armstrong etc.

Also, I haven't raced yet, but what is the average speed on the race course winging?

north_kiter
NSW, 233 posts
28 Nov 2022 5:39AM
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Select to expand quote
MidAtlanticFoil said..
Saw this post last night. Check the second slide to see what 34.6 knots looks like:

www.instagram.com/p/ClbtfBVM_sZ/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

My averages are right around 20mph when on broad and close haul.
Seems like Mikes lab is best option stateside and Chubanga foils in Europe. Levitaz and F-one also good.


crazy fast, nice and flat conditions

King Crash
NSW, 293 posts
28 Nov 2022 6:57AM
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There is a big difference between a surf foil which can go fast and a race foil which is designed to go fast.
Also. 20kph isn't anything to write home about.
For outright speed - MikesLab, Chubunga are key for their wing gear. When you use kite foils, Levitaz is good too.

Alysum
NSW, 1024 posts
28 Nov 2022 8:14AM
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Yeah 20kmh average is nothing and 20mph isn't fast. Also speeds we talk knots.

Average Joe can easily push surf foils up to 25kn over 5 seconds average. Beyond that is super hard, this is where kite/race foils are needed.

Grantmac
1953 posts
28 Nov 2022 6:05AM
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Surf/freestyle world champion won it on a slalom specific foil. So I wouldn't say you need a slow foil to surf.

Are we talking comfortable cruising speed or average moving speed over an entire session?

north_kiter
NSW, 233 posts
28 Nov 2022 9:39AM
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mine is average moving speed over entire session, but comfortable fast cruising speed for a daily ride.

I know the races in NZ shared here are in ocean conditions and it strong wind, would have big chop, are they all using long masts and what speeds are they recording around the track. They look like they are on regular brand gear.

I've no idea what they use in Europe or US (maybe ML) or speeds they are racing at.

JohnnyTsunami
131 posts
28 Nov 2022 5:50PM
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The guys are on Chubanga, Levitaz, and Mike's Lab. All unmodified kitefoil race foils. 100cm up to 110cm masts. Mike's Lab makes wing specific race foils as well, nobody else makes foils for racing that are competitive. Tituan on F-one gear doing well is an anomaly!

Speeds during races are rarely over 30 knots, but high 20s is normal on the reaches. You can't pick your line and wave conditions in a race so the speeds will be lower than what people put up on instagram on random training days.

You also have to watch out for people. I got hit hard from my blind side at 25+ knots converging at a bouy, and another time lifted off my board by someone to windward - not fun. (end of the 6th story here www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17940208538511862/ )

north_kiter
NSW, 233 posts
28 Nov 2022 9:04PM
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JohnnyTsunami said..
The guys are on Chubanga, Levitaz, and Mike's Lab. All unmodified kitefoil race foils. 100cm up to 110cm masts. Mike's Lab makes wing specific race foils as well, nobody else makes foils for racing that are competitive. Tituan on F-one gear doing well is an anomaly!

Speeds during races are rarely over 30 knots, but high 20s is normal on the reaches. You can't pick your line and wave conditions in a race so the speeds will be lower than what people put up on instagram on random training days.

You also have to watch out for people. I got hit hard from my blind side at 25+ knots converging at a bouy, and another time lifted off my board by someone to windward - not fun. (end of the 6th story here www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17940208538511862/ )


oh thanks for this very informative! I cruise easily kite foiling my sabfoil w800/399, 91cm mast in 15knots of wind at 20 knots, and can push over 30kn bearing away but it gets sketchy at that speed with 1-3ft wind generated harbour chop and the crashes, well lets just say you don't want to crash at that speed.

Ouch re taken out, hope he bought you some beers to say sorry, my worst nightmare, hit by another foiler.

I just find people say they can cruise or reach speeds with certain generic brands on the market winging, and I find it impossible to believe, except for race specific gear that is.

JohnnyTsunami
131 posts
28 Nov 2022 6:21PM
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Select to expand quote
north_kiter said..


JohnnyTsunami said..
The guys are on Chubanga, Levitaz, and Mike's Lab. All unmodified kitefoil race foils. 100cm up to 110cm masts. Mike's Lab makes wing specific race foils as well, nobody else makes foils for racing that are competitive. Tituan on F-one gear doing well is an anomaly!

Speeds during races are rarely over 30 knots, but high 20s is normal on the reaches. You can't pick your line and wave conditions in a race so the speeds will be lower than what people put up on instagram on random training days.

You also have to watch out for people. I got hit hard from my blind side at 25+ knots converging at a bouy, and another time lifted off my board by someone to windward - not fun. (end of the 6th story here www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17940208538511862/ )




oh thanks for this very informative! I cruise easily kite foiling my sabfoil w800/399, 91cm mast in 15knots of wind at 20 knots, and can push over 30kn bearing away but it gets sketchy at that speed with 1-3ft wind generated harbour chop and the crashes, well lets just say you don't want to crash at that speed.

Ouch re taken out, hope he bought you some beers to say sorry, my worst nightmare, hit by another foiler.

I just find people say they can cruise or reach speeds with certain generic brands on the market winging, and I find it impossible to believe, except for race specific gear that is.



...no I got cursed at in French and was protested and lost. :)

Do not believe it. It's also meaningless even if the GPS is accurate, which is unlikely if it's a 1hz wristwatch. I heard one guy say he did 40 knots on an 800cm foil... not happening. The relevant questions are how were the conditions? If someone is doing 22 knots, they might be leaving the "30 knot" sailor in the dust in waves. The "30 knot" sailor adjusted their hair at 20 knots and the watch registered 30 knots for a second. I'd like a sailmon panel mounted to my board as well to be accurate. The times I go near 30 knots the water is smooth and something magical happens to my wing where I bear off and I don't sheet out and it never stops accelerating. It just doesn't happen normally.

Racing separates all the unfounded opinions people have from reality and really tests gear on an even field. So many people have opinions with no A/B testing with good riders lined up - even big brands. Really fun to see the gear folks bring to big races. I had an old duotone echo and entered a race real early this spring. I actually did pretty well speed and upwind -wise! My bad moments were not due to my gear, let's just say. There was also no wing that was pointing 20 degrees higher like you hear in every new wing review. Well, except one race where a guy was pointing higher and going faster on the bigger foil and smaller wing... but I digress.

north_kiter
NSW, 233 posts
28 Nov 2022 9:45PM
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Select to expand quote
JohnnyTsunami said..

north_kiter said..



JohnnyTsunami said..
The guys are on Chubanga, Levitaz, and Mike's Lab. All unmodified kitefoil race foils. 100cm up to 110cm masts. Mike's Lab makes wing specific race foils as well, nobody else makes foils for racing that are competitive. Tituan on F-one gear doing well is an anomaly!

Speeds during races are rarely over 30 knots, but high 20s is normal on the reaches. You can't pick your line and wave conditions in a race so the speeds will be lower than what people put up on instagram on random training days.

You also have to watch out for people. I got hit hard from my blind side at 25+ knots converging at a bouy, and another time lifted off my board by someone to windward - not fun. (end of the 6th story here www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17940208538511862/ )





oh thanks for this very informative! I cruise easily kite foiling my sabfoil w800/399, 91cm mast in 15knots of wind at 20 knots, and can push over 30kn bearing away but it gets sketchy at that speed with 1-3ft wind generated harbour chop and the crashes, well lets just say you don't want to crash at that speed.

Ouch re taken out, hope he bought you some beers to say sorry, my worst nightmare, hit by another foiler.

I just find people say they can cruise or reach speeds with certain generic brands on the market winging, and I find it impossible to believe, except for race specific gear that is.




...no I got cursed at in French and was protested and lost. :)

Do not believe it. It's also meaningless even if the GPS is accurate, which is unlikely if it's a 1hz wristwatch. I heard one guy say he did 40 knots on an 800cm foil... not happening. The relevant questions are how were the conditions? If someone is doing 22 knots, they might be leaving the "30 knot" sailor in the dust in waves. The "30 knot" sailor adjusted their hair at 20 knots and the watch registered 30 knots for a second. I'd like a sailmon panel mounted to my board as well to be accurate. The times I go near 30 knots the water is smooth and something magical happens to my wing where I bear off and I don't sheet out and it never stops accelerating. It just doesn't happen normally.

Racing separates all the unfounded opinions people have from reality and really tests gear on an even field. So many people have opinions with no A/B testing with good riders lined up - even big brands. Really fun to see the gear folks bring to big races. I had an old duotone echo and entered a race real early this spring. I actually did pretty well speed and upwind -wise! My bad moments were not due to my gear, let's just say. There was also no wing that was pointing 20 degrees higher like you hear in every new wing review. Well, except one race where a guy was pointing higher and going faster on the bigger foil and smaller wing... but I digress.


on the bright side, being cursed at in French is the nicest sounding language to be cursed with though!

Yeah I don't believe the BS, I know how hard it is to control 30 knots kite foiling with space let alone wing foiling in a crowded race heading towards a bouy!

Maybe a good option is a brand sponsors a race and all riders have to use their gear, now that would be interesting, definitely rider skill only....

Cnski
31 posts
29 Nov 2022 7:09AM
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Select to expand quote
JohnnyTsunami said..
The guys are on Chubanga, Levitaz, and Mike's Lab. All unmodified kitefoil race foils. 100cm up to 110cm masts. Mike's Lab makes wing specific race foils as well, nobody else makes foils for racing that are competitive. Tituan on F-one gear doing well is an anomaly!

Speeds during races are rarely over 30 knots, but high 20s is normal on the reaches. You can't pick your line and wave conditions in a race so the speeds will be lower than what people put up on instagram on random training days.

You also have to watch out for people. I got hit hard from my blind side at 25+ knots converging at a bouy, and another time lifted off my board by someone to windward - not fun. (end of the 6th story here www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17940208538511862/ )


I watched the clip a bunch of times and it looks like you were on a steady reach and he rounded right up into you from downwind. He didn't even see you. You not seeing him is understandable. I realize he was downwind of you and has the right of way but he took you out!! Then gave you choice words in French. Maybe he was just pissed because his hot, French girlfriend clearly had a crush on you the whole event.....



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"Wing foil racing" started by north_kiter