MONTY SPINDLER: RACEBOARDBLADES
MONTY SPINDLER: RACEBOARDBLADES
MONTY SPINDLER: RACEBOARDBLADES
For Raceboard Class enthusiasts, Monty Spindler of Loftsails, offers an insight into his racing journey and the evolution of Loftsails Raceboardblades; now a dominant force in the class. He breaks down the range in detail and shares exclusive insights into the Loftsails Raceboardblade One Design.
Photos: Courtesy Loftsails.
RACEBOARDBLADE HISTORY
Going to “doing it standing up” from dingy classes, racing around a course was always in my blood. Windsurf racing back then was around yacht-style courses on big boards, which suited me! Working to develop competition raceboard sail designs came naturally. The Garda-developed ART raceboard designs in the 90s were successful as all-round competition sails. In contrast, the early Tarifa-developed Loftsails Raceboardblades were designed to the suit high wind competitions in nearby windy Cadiz.
In 2016 the Loftsails Raceboardblade sail line expanded… improving the Raceboardblade wind range by expanding low wind performance being the development target. The RBB evolution generated the LW, LW2 and ULW designs, each pushing light wind power without compromise to mid and upper wind range performance.
THE RACEBOARD CLASS
Raceboardblade competition, most closely reflects classic racing- upwind starts, tactics based on wind shifts, and as always, a premium on speed.
Raceboard competitions are on the rise! I love the two raceboard modes: displacement mode (board IN the water- mast track forward, centreboard down) upwind, then a slalom board with a very long nose (board ON the water- mast track back, centreboard up) downwind… there is old-school sailing beauty in raceboard windsurfing. Youth are into it… stars from the T293 class.
The classic sailing-style courses are an attraction, and the ability to race in low-to-no wind conditions. Old school long boards work! There are raceboard fleets growing all over- Cadiz, Germany, Japan, France and other countries.
THE TEAM
I have been fortunate to work with an extremely strong Loftsails Raceboard Team… Joao Rodriguez, Patrik Pollak, Louis Morris and Curro Manchon- this is the raceboard sail designers dream team! Between them they have dominated international raceboard events over the past years using Loftsails Raceboardblades… these guys are clear about what they need to win.
THE RANGE
Currently, the Loftsails current raceboard competition 9.5m2 comes in three versions:
Raceboardblade Ultra-Light Wind: 5 battens, 3 cams, 554×244, 550 mast rec.
‘Raceboardblade ULW’ target is winning performance in 0 to 14 knots. The current ULW has more generous profile in the upper sections than earlier ULWs, which goes a step further for the bottom end. Soft; low wind power generator with trim reactivity- extending its competitive edge up into the medium wind range.
Raceboardblade: 6 battens, 3 cams, 558×244, 530 mast rec.
The Raceboardblade 9.5, a 6-batten (3-cam) sail, offers tactical flexibility on the racecourse. Positioned between the ULW and HW sails, it is specifically designed for the middle wind range, providing optimal performance and versatility.
Target: winning performance over a large wind range. Slightly firmer than the ULW, the RBB competitive wind range is 7 to 20 knots.
Raceboardblade High Wind: 7 battens, 3 cams, 538 x240, 520 mast rec.
When the wind picks up, the HW 9.5 sail truly shines. Taking inspiration from the light and durable LW variant, the panel layout has been optimized and the profile finely tuned for a 7-batten (3-cam) frame. The result is a sail that delivers impressive speed and stability in winds exceeding 16 knots.
Raceboardblade roots! Superbly stable in a breeze. Firmest of the three, ideal in winds 12 knots and up.
Raceboard QUIVERS
If a raceboard enthusiast wants to compete with one rig, I suggest considering the Raceboardblade ULW if in a light wind area, or the Raceboardblade if in a windier location. Two rigs are allowed for registry at raceboard events (3 for women and veterans), should two rigs be registered, building a quiver with the Raceboardblade ULW and the Raceboardblade HW is a powerful race option.
With such a strong team, and custom Raceboardblade ULWs protos produced at the Tarifa loft, development is on!
Loftsails RBB design target: Effective trim sensitivity…maximum performance over the broadest wind range.
Raceboardblade’s trimmed SOFT: deep profile & firm leech: effective 4×4 performance in extreme light winds. The TekCams stay in place with extreme soft trim with their special straps around the mast.
Raceboardblades trimmed FIRM: slim profile & soft leech: slim & slippery for the upper end.
Raceboardblade mast pocket features the original Blade mast pocket design; the two pocket sides and the interior mast panel are all tensioned by the downhaul. This unique construction- loading the three layers equally- resulting in the firm, easy-rotating RBB leading edge.
Raceboardblade bodies: 4mil biax windows, 3.5mil biax lower body panels, 2mil quad-axial upper body, 5mil biax mast panel, SU250 lower mast pocket, dacron upper mast panel.
Raceboardblade profile is stability-assisted with 3 TekCams, 5 fiberglass tube and rod batten system.
Raceboardblades are produced with first-quality light sail making materials and constructions and are built for longevity.
Loftsails Raceboardblade One Design
Pure Raceboarding Competition
The Raceboardblade OD integrates the extensive experience and development of the Loftsails raceboard team, delivering performance in light to medium wind conditions for both novice and experienced sailors in a competitive, light, cost-effective design. The 8.5m sail retails for around £749 at 4Boards and is great value for such a quality product.
Based on the Loftsails Raceboardblade ULW range, the Raceboardblade OD retains the key profile and design elements that makes Loftsails RBBs so successful on the racecourse. Available in 6.5, 7.5, and 8.5 sizes, the Raceboardblade OD mirrors the ULW range with optimized vertical curves, horizontal shapes, and leech release for excellent upwind and downwind capabilities. The OD material selection is modified to monofilm.
While the “OD” in Raceboardblade OD stands for “One Design,” this designation anticipates future possibilities should the RBB OD become ubiquitous. Achieving One Design class status involves meeting specific requirements, which are currently not in place but may be pursued based on the product’s reception and performance.
4BOARDS
Customers in the UK can order these sails through 4Boards as well as the Exocet RS V6 Carbon 380 which is a great board to accompany these sails.
Loftsails Raceboardblade OD White – 4boards
Exocet RS V6 Carbon 380
The Exocet raceboard development team, consisting of Marcos Ruesch, Curro Manchon and Patrice Belbeoc’h, has created the most advanced and tactical design for any racecourse. Sailors competing in various conditions need the right tools to navigate challenging waters and maximize every bit of wind available. The RS V6 Carbon 380 is designed to provide these essential tools, specifically for raceboarding.
Building on the initial success of the Unifiber Proteus hull but seeking to refine the construction method and shape, Marcos and Patrice aim to design a board capable of high and fast upwind performance while maintaining its effectiveness on reaching legs.
The hull has been significantly rebalanced by reducing its height and increasing the volume at the stern and bow, preserving overall volume and distribution. The previous design favoured heavy riders upwind and light riders downwind. The new RS V6 Carbon 380 accommodates a wide weight range, aiding heavier riders in planning and giving lighter riders better control upwind.
The RS V6 380 retains the daggerboard’s Pivot System, first introduced in Unifiber’s Proteus V1, enabling adjustments to its effective length and angle. The daggerboard itself is now longer, providing more power during light upwind legs or allowing for smaller setups in high winds. The daggerboard housing is larger to fit custom setups, and both the daggerboard and mast track have been moved two centimetres forward for better weight distribution.
As a final adjustment, the fin box is moved slightly forward, giving the board a better drive when reaching.
Designed and tested by passionate sailors, the new RS V6 Carbon 380 is a superbly balanced raceboard that excels in any course and in any condition.
Exocet RS V6 Carbon 380
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