On croyait que les ailes de plus de 14m avaient été définitivement enterrées, mais voilà que wind-x sort une aile plate de 17m.
D'après leur dire, un rider de 80kg sur une board de 138 x 42 remonte au vent dans 8 noeuds. Cette aile est l'équivalent d'un "C" kite de 21-23m!
The cat is out of the bag. There were a few discussions lately regarding WiND-X Kiteboarding is producing its Ultra Flat Light Wind in 17M. It is official now. Yes, what rumors you have heard about the 17M is quite true. Like the earlier sizes (7M, 10M and 14M), the kite is based on the Ultra Flat Bow platform and is very much a high Aspect Ratio kite. The kite have been tested in 8 knots, rider weight 80KGs, board size 138 x 41; and YES, the rider was planing and going upwind. Just what we expected! Like what is reported is the previous sizes, the Monsoonz is an upwind machine.
How do you compare the 17M Ultra Flat with the other kites in the market? The 17M Ultra Flat is almost equivalent to a 19M 1st Generation Bow and probably a 21-23M C-Kite. So the Monsoonz 17M, like the previous sizes have more power per square meter. As for the turning, I believe it is quite respectable for her size but ofcourse you can't compare it to a smaller kite or the C-Kite platform. Again, I would like to stress that the Ultra Flat platform has only been around for less than a year and we are trying to improve and utilise this platform to the max. There is so much to learn from it. What we will be able to achieve with this platform are better upwind ability, more power per square meter (efficiency) which will lead to smaller kites for the current wind conditions.
Is this your type of kite? Kitesurfing has evolved and right now there are a few different disciplines in this sport. Different riders has different style of riding and I believe one kite alone would not meet the expectations of the whole kite community. That's the reason why there are so many models around. Different characteristics in each model caters to these market. As for the WiND-X Monsoonz? Why not? Just visit one of our distributors and test the kites. The first batch of 17M Monsters has already left our facility.