Windsurf MagazineNEIL PRYDE SPEEDSTER 7.2 2021 TEST REVIEW

THE VERDICT

The Speedster continues to mesmerise us with its powered performance capabilities. A true racing thoroughbred, it is simply untouchable off the wind!

OVERVIEW

The Speedster stays in the Neil Pryde line up for the 2021 season, sitting in between the Ryde and V8 as their performance no-cam offering, in a concise range of seven sizes. The main design feature championed on the Speedster is its “continuous luff construction” – the use of a single luff panel that extends from head to tack, carrying the high tension loading as the sail is rigged and in doing so protecting the glue and stitches used in the sail’s seams. The most striking feature of all Neil Pryde sails, however, is their custom printing: an exclusive process instilling a high-definition colour fade in the monofilm of the upper panels. The end result is a stunning visual appearance, said to be laminated and locked in, so that it is UV-resistant and can withstand the test of time. Using tubed battens within their integrated ‘Fuse Pockets’ and double stitch seams in critical areas, the Speedster is designed around the outline and learnings of the brand’s reputed racing programme, incorporating performance characteristics such as the angled battens to maximise air flow efficiency. It was rigged for test on a TPX100 mast and is recommended for use solely on SDM for this size and above. It sets cleanly with plenty of looseness radiating down the leech, the lower battens retaining the lightest connection with the mast. There’s a moderate amount of profile to the draft at rest, its entry relatively shallow with the main depth set back around the rider. At £759.00, the Speedster is one of the most expensive sails in the group, so the big question is: can the extra expense be justified?

BRAND CLAIM

“With its outline coming straight from the RS:RACING EVO11, the SPEEDSTER is an explosive performance freeride sail. More user friendly than a cambered sail (easier to rig, uphaul and gybe), the Speedster is more balanced, offering greater performance and wind range than a classic freeride sail.”

PERFORMANCE

On the water the Speedster displayed an efficiency and appetite to be driven that was quite simply addictive! Rigged with less tension for light to moderate winds, it feels balanced and positive in the hands, its centre of effort relatively high and focussed around the rider. There’s a crispness to its power delivery, transferring instantly to the board and accelerating it rapidly up to full speed. The ride is high octane and involving, the sail feeling alive in the hands and helping to inspire the rider to start racing their peers. However, it’s when the conditions begin to turn on that the Speedster reveals its true intent. Tune it with more tension and its energy is electrifying. It is not necessarily a stand out when pointing upwind and requires some rider involvement to get the most from it, but turn it off the wind and it just seems to hit some innate afterburners! It seemingly has an insatiable need to get downwind, and such is the performance return, that you find yourself simply willing to oblige! Blisteringly fast, compact and balanced, it carries its speed through transitions well and when the conditions become hairy, a drop down to the lower clew eyelet furthers its compact nature and control. It certainly demands to be partnered with a platform that can keep up with it in these conditions and will start to display its displeasure if the board is not up to the task. Cheap it is not, but when the performance available is this good, it had us convinced it was worth every penny.