i've found that the best way for me to go upwind in light conditions is to have the kite quite high (above 45 degrees) and don't go any faster than you have to keep a plain going. I've found that the faster i go, the more the apparent wind comes around to the front of you in effect sending you further downwind. i don't lean back to much, so i can keep the board as flat as possible, and use the fins to stear me upwind.
Hope this has helped

This is what I wrote on another post regarding light wind technique

My big board is a 138 x 42. Width is more important than length as well as very little rocker (really flat board). If you have small feet wide boards can be a real pain in the shins though. I would suggest trying a few first until you find one that is comfortable. Sometimes I borrow a 152 Underground from a friend which really motors in light winds. It's pretty wide but you can't throw it around like a smaller board.

Other light wind tips are - keeping the kite moving, using each stroke to generate power, down stoke and up stroke. This is a learnt art. Also flatten the board on the water to increase the wetted area, don't edge too hard and use your hips to keep the board up wind. Look to where you want to go. Also, center your weight a bit until the board nearly slides sideways. Use the swells to maintain speed, don't plow through them but go with them when necessay to get some lift. Bear away in the lulls and edge in the gusts. Once you have board speed the apparent wind on the kite will give you even more speed. Choose a kite that flys as far forward in the window as possible, you will motor up wind.

Light wind riding is a real art. You have to feel the water under you and fly with your fingertips. If all this sounds a bit airy don't dispare, light wind flying can be a real challenge and once learnt will improve your general kiting no end.

My theory is that big kites are for big people not light winds. Big kites are heavy and slow and difficult to develop apparent wind. Best light wind kite according to Steve from Kitepower is the Ozone Lite 14m, 3 struts and very light construction with excellent build quality. When it's marginal wind that is what he flys and he has the choice of many different kites from the demo stock.

Hope this helps.

You're quite right Sorse, I was talking about light wind kiting in general. Keep the speed up, edge when you have a gust.

Nothing worse than those light wind sessions that you spend the whole time consentrating on not loseing ground and not on doing the things that you enjoy about kiteboarding.