A glance at the Point-7 stand immediately catches the eye: There is a new colour; this year, the Italian company's sails are also available with green elements. However, according to Point-7 boss and sail designer Andrea Cucchi, this is just a new look and not a reference to more sustainable materials.
In an interview with surf, Cucchi emphasised that Point-7 optimises the entire sail range with all sizes every year. That's why they concentrate exclusively on windsurfing - for 2023, the focus is primarily on the foil range.
New for 2023 is the F1-X, a foil sail without camber. "Our ACX no-cam sail has a good reputation, and we have now transferred the same concept to a foil sail," explains Andrea Cucchi. "It has the same outline as the competition sail with three cambers, a high aspect outline with a short boom!" The F1-X comes in the sizes 5.9 m², 6.9 m² and 7.9 m² and is intended to be a good match for freerace foils.
The "hybrid line" F1-E is also new at Point-7, with sails that can be used for both fin and foil. "From zero to 14 knots you sail with the foil, from 14 knots you take the foil out and simply switch to the fin," says Cucchi, describing the concept. Sizes 5.4 and 6.4 are more manoeuvre-oriented and are suitable for freeride foils, while a freerace foil is recommended in 7.4 and 8.4.
Point-7 relies on camber in the lower section
It is noticeable that all sizes have a camber at the bottom bar. Andrea Cucchi explains the idea behind this: "That's where the power is, that's what gets you planing, that's where the stability is generated. With higher camber, the pressure point is also higher, which comes down with low camber, and that creates stability for foiling." Rotation is also better on the lower batten than further up. "It's difficult to get a clean mast pocket with just one camber at the bottom, we've been working on that for a long time."
Point-7 follows the same principle with the ACZ with two cambers. "Normally there is one camber above and one below the fork, which looks balanced," says the designer. "With a lower pressure point, you don't get as much lift and have more control." In addition, the mast pocket is narrower at the top and therefore easier to handle during water starts. "The top speed is the same, the difference to the racing sails lies in the acceleration."
A mast for foiling and a sailing line for stations
Another innovation at Point-7 is a mast optimised for foiling. Andrea Cucchi: "It is stiffer and has a higher IMCS value. In fin slalom, you ride over the chop and the mast absorbs the shocks. When foiling, you float over the chop and the mast can be stiffer, which gives the sail more stability, allows more profile in the front area and less pull on the back hand." However, this is only intended for pure foiling; in a hybrid sail, Cucchi recommends a normal mast.
Point-7 also claims to have the "strongest mast base on the market". The key to this is temperature-resistant plastic components and specially manufactured metal parts that do not cut into the chord. There is also a new rucksack with compartments for GoPro, wetsuit and notebook and a new clothing collection.
With the S-Line, the Italians have added a line of sails especially for surf centres to their range. The sizes range from the 3.3 wave sail to the 8.3 slalom cloth, the cuts are identical to other Point 7 models. The stress zones are designed for continuous use. The individual models will be developed further each year, but the design will remain the same. In addition, there are no large prints to replace individual sail panels.
AV boards
At the same stand, Aurelio Verdi will be showcasing five of its AV boards. The wave, freestyle wave, freeride, race and speed models will be going into the new season unchanged - even visually. "We don't like to change the graphics every year, we stick to the concept and want to maintain the value," says shaper Aurelio Verdi. However, the slalom, foil and freeride foil ranges are new. However, the new boards were not yet ready for the boot.
More about boot 2023:
- We One - a portrait of the new board brand
- The windsurfing highlights at boot Düsseldorf
- The trade fair innovations at Tabou and GA Sails
- The trade fair innovations at Starboard and Severne
- The trade fair novelties at GunSails
- The trade fair innovations at F2
- The best pictures of the freestyle show at the boot pool
