Loft Blade 2011

First pic of the new Loft Blade 2011, more info soon

Ludo Jossin in action :

Monty interviews Ludo about 2011 Blades;

Monty:“What do you see in the future regarding the development of competitive slalom rigs? Are there new features in Loftsails Blades 2011?”
Ludo Jossin:“Well, we have been testing so many things the past 4 months. With Monty we developed the new 2011 Blade design… super balanced with added extra power to the back hand. This power makes the rig super steady with a new direct feeling for the Blades.
For 2011 Blades can convert from rdm to sdm masts (like our Switchblades '09 and '10) from 6.3 to 12.5…for light weight riders the soft, easy feeling is available with rdms, meanwhile sdms can be rigged as well (Loft Tekcams!!) which brings in extra power for racers and heavy riders.
We tested the new 2011 Blades with both type of spars. Conversion from rdm to sdms needs just a few minutes by exchanging the lowest 3 Tekcams. This new Blade compatibility will make things easier for windsurfers owning standard diameter masts.
Another big improvement into the 2011 Racing Blades will be the combination of 3 features to loose weight near the rig tip… all Racing Blades 2011 will be produced in series with:
-Pentex for light weight, better durability and the best resistance to UV!
-New 8.5mm o.d, 5.3mm i.d. carbon tubes for the upper 3 battens that are super light and stiff!
-The Loft’s new Internal Tensioner System (ITS). ITS moves the top 3 batten tensioners from the leech edge forward to the batten front end. This removes weight from the leech, earning improved reflex action that has a strong positive effect in choppy and hi wind conditions... the leech inertia improves, producing greater rig reactivity.”

Nice to hear they're designed to suit both RDM and SDM masts. In the past this has always been the stumbling block with respect to having to purchase rdm's and peripheral accessories.

Nice first up session for new Loft Team rider Ben Van Der Steen and PB

www.gps-speedsurfing.com/default.aspx?mnu=user&val=71854&uid=239

Wow fast, well done Ben. Guess he has to quit the JP/ NP Mob now in GPSTC.

Go PiT crew!!!!

watch this space santas making a special delivery very soon

Look nice, Choco.
Have you got any other masts to try rigging it on?
I am trying to decide on a 7m but don't have the coin to get a mast too.
I have a powerex and a north platinum sdm.
Asked Monty but he did not have an answer and said to try it and let him know.

Choco You might have rig yours first but i got mine wet before you .
Only a short squally,rainy session today but gave me a chance to try the new beast.
7m Felt nice straight out of the bag I didn't have a lot of time to much around with settings. First impression, light in the hands, very forgiving and more drive than last years. hopefully I get to do some more testing soon

Hey lao shi,

On my 7m I have used 1 spacer on bottom cam and 2 on the cams below and above the boom, nothing on the top cam, this is for the Bico RDM mast, on my 7.8 rigged on SDM mast i have used one spacer on all cams except the top one , i could probably use two spacers to give the sail an even cleaner more rigid feel but i personally like it with a slightly softer feeling.
With the 7m the 1st time i used it felt way too powerful(gusts to 23knots) and too much backhand pressure, moved my harness lines back abit and now if feels really balanced, dont be afraid to go to 25-30cm on your extension if it gets windy and downahul the sail so the leech frees up to near the boom,play around with the settings.
Your sail and sail setting looks nice though

cheers

Thanks, Vando.
Using the bico rdm mast and comparing it to a powerex rdm. I
have tried a single spacer on those two cams will try 2 next.

nice first up session on new Racing Blade by Dirk;
www.gps-speedsurfing.com/default.aspx?mnu=user&val=73145&uid=2035