The trend towards foiling has dominated light-wind windsurfing in recent years. However, Point-7 claims to have observed a comeback for the fin: “More and more surfers want that classic feeling back – full speed, spray, edge pressure and an early glide,” say the Italians. The manufacturer is responding with the 9+ Light Wind Titan, a sail which, according to the company, is not simply a larger version of smaller race or freerace sails.
The 9-square-metre sail is, in fact, specifically optimised for light winds: mast pocket shape, outline, profile stability, rotation, weight distribution and the feedback when pumping. Point-7 has deliberately chosen not to increase the size of the AC-2 and AC-3 models beyond 9.0 square metres. A larger sail is not simply just a larger sail, the manufacturer argues. Without a specialised light-wind design, it becomes heavy, unstable, difficult to pump and complicated to manoeuvre.
Light-wind concept for marginal conditions
According to Point-7, the Point-7 9+ Light Wind Titan is aimed at a new generation of freerace surfers who refuse to accept that light winds mean switching to a foil. The target audience includes surfers who want to get planing early and effortlessly, who prefer the control and connection of fin surfing, and who ride larger boards that require efficient, powerful propulsion. The sail is suitable for boards over 77 centimetres wide and fins over 42 centimetres long; it feels like an 8.6 with the performance of a 9.4. The manufacturer emphasises that the sail is optimised for wind conditions ranging from under 12 to 18 knots.
According to the manufacturer, the design is based on Point-7’s Overlap panels and a one-piece mast pocket. The sail utilises a three-camber system with extra-wide XXL cams for smooth rotation. The shape of the mast pocket is said to be specially designed to ensure light and balanced handling, even when hoisting the sail. Point-7 promises ultra-early planing performance, powerful forward thrust for large boards and fins, and a stable profile in both gusts and lulls. Furthermore, the sail can be pumped up efficiently.
The Point-7 9+ is available exclusively in the 9.0 sq m size (mast 490 +34, boom 236). For more information, see point-7.com
