With the advent of the successsful Elite 2011 Ninja foils (Ninja Death Squad were 1,3,5 9 at the Euros , of course...) and now the skinny mainfoil for the Mach 2, several questions are posed.
How will the skinny foils perform in the light stuff? Will lift off remain the same or not? Will we see some proper two boat tuning data? Taking Si Payne's comments further, will it be the vogue to have both sets of foils at an event, using full fat when it's light and skinny when the breeze is up?
The cost of a single mast, sail and set of foils is near enough 40% of the cost of a new Moth. The hull is simply the bit that holds the important bits together, but it's not on to swap the hull mid-regatta. Should there be any limitation of masts/sails/foils for an event, or are we seeing the advent of "mix and match" according to the conditions?
This discussion was floating around during the 2011 Worlds when Nathan cut his foils down. The consensus was that if two sets are required to race, most (including me) would leave the class as it's cost prohibitive.
ReplyDeleteTherefore a rule would need to be put in place to only allow a single set to be used at a regatta.
Still it's worth raising again as it seems to be heading that way!
Cheers,
Phil
I wouldn't worry about this too much. Back in 2005 Rohan cut down his (1.1m) foils at the Europeans in Campioni, so its not the first time people have made changes to reflect the conditons. Its development and it would be a shame if someone made a foil and then turned up to a regatta with it only to find it was slow, but was then forced to use it for the week! Development means building things and the not so fast stuff often gets sold down to the kids in the fleet, or it used too anyway. The wider point is that is it ok to have a RIB on the water with a spare main foil in it should the conditions change? I think not.
ReplyDeleteYou are assuming the new Ninja foils aren't as good in light airs as the old ones. They're better...
ReplyDeleteThe rules review committee have discussed an idea to limit changes of components to the regatta HQ rigging site. Hence preventing high funded teams having a RIB available for a last minute change. Nothing is drafted but the idea is out there.
ReplyDeleteThanks guys - interesting stuff. Sticking my scientific hat on, I guess it'd be great to see some results from two-boat tuning runs. Just like new generation car engines are both more powerful and more economic than those before, perhaps the newer foils will allow earlier lift off as well as less drag at higher speeds.
ReplyDeleteIt looks as if my three kids will have to have their pocket money confiscated until I have saved enough for a set of new Ninja foils...