- Formula Windsurfing
Formula windsurfing is a class of race
windsurfing boards that has developed over the last 15 years in order to facilitate high performance competition in light and moderate winds. Formula Winsurfing Class is controlled by theInternational Sailing Federation . Large sails in combination with the 'wide-style' design allow planing in very low wind conditions. If it blows 7 knots, a lot of fun and speed comes, with enjoyable, exhilarating races.However, if these requirements are not met, the boards cannot be used and events will not take place, as non-planing sailing is very difficult with this design.Boards
The boards have the principal characteristic of a maximum 1m width. They have a single
fin , which is typically 70 cm long and carry sails up to 12.5 m². Class rules allow sailors to choose boards of different designs, as long as they are certified as Formula boards, and use fins and sails of different sizes.ails
Formula boards are used on "flat water" as opposed to coastal surf; but racing is still held in windy conditions involving swell and chop. Formula boards have excellent upwind and downwind ability, but are not very comfortable on a
beam reach . This explains why the course is usually a box with longer upwind and downwind legs, or just a simple upwind-downwind loop. [citeweb|url=http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=1471148 |title=BVI Spring Regatta bringing in dinghies, Formula Windsurfing|author= Greenway, Dean|date= December 14, 2004|publisher=Virgin Islands Daily News]The preferred sail is not always the largest, as many find the 12.5 m2 sails too heavy to handle and many times the winners have a 11 or even 10 m2 sail.
Flat Water
The long fin can bother a bit in shallow lakes, which are many especially in Europe. An American company came with the double fin concept, which should catch on in the market, as it needs little depth of water and will be equally good upwind.
Wind needs
7 knots ( 5 m/s ) is not too much, but in not windy countries, this leaves many times the FW sailors on the coast while raceboarders enjoy racing.Time will tell if this is such a problem or not.
Sailing in Chop and waves
Most popular boards
Starboard is typical
Most popular sails
ART 12.5 is very good.
Europe
Formula Windsurfing has grown a lot in Europe since its start in France, to a large pool of mostly amateur windsurfers who were missing ease of planing in the thousands of not-very-windy lakes in continental Europe.
- Czech Republic.The Czech champion using a Slim sail made by the Ostrava (CZ) sail factory, became world champion in Thailand.
- Poland.Poland has been early to develop in Formula Windsurfing, getting the first ever title in this category
Northamerica
In the US, Formula Windsurfing has also developed relatively fast.
Latin America
Argentina has been slower to grow due to the Kirchner's raceboarding reputation.
Asia
Formula Windsurfers have made of Japan a growing area of growth. Also the UAE have invested.
Australia
Many cangaroos jumped on a FWOD (Formula WS One Design) in the last years.
References
External links
* [http://www.sailing.org ISAF website]
* [http://www.formulawindsurfing.org/ Official website]
* [http://dwsv.net/regattakalender/kalender_anzeige.php?category_12=1&2007=2007&international=international&Submit=Liste+filtern+%2F+select Formula Windsurfing International Event Calendar with Notice of Race, Results, Photos, Videos etc.]
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