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Mistral Slalom Action-631x420

MISTRAL SLALOM 112L 2013 TEST REVIEW

Stats Volume (L) 112 Weight (Kg) 7.9 Length (cm) 249 Width (cm) 68 Construction Carbon Sandwich Fin Tuttle Box - not supplied Price £1599

Mistral Slalom

MISTRAL SLALOM 112L 2013 TEST REVIEW

THE LOW DOWN

The Mistral Slalom is a classic race board, available in three sizes. The range is designed by renowned speedsailor and shaper Chris Lockwood and tested by racing and 50-knot club legend Anders Bringdal with a view to suiting a range of conditions and performing on any type of slalom course.

AT-A-GLANCE

Classic parallel outline with rounded nose and pintail

Subtle chined tail cut-outs

Bevelled double-concave hull with centre channels 

Aggressive vee in the nose, mellowing out in the tail

DaKine footstraps

Tuttle fin box

Subtle deck concave around mast track

Longest and narrowest board on test

PERFORMANCE

Instantly comfortable with the comfortable pads and DaKine straps giving a secure stance, the Mistral Slalom is no slouch to get up-and-planing, although the lighter riders found it required a little more effort to really fly from standing. In the straps there’s positive drive and the 112 powers-off the fin and rides low, with a locked-down stance that at first felt frightening in chop – especially on deeper downwind runs –  but actually handles rougher water admirably. There’s no lack of speed and it ably copes with a wide range of conditions at full pelt, the nose soaking up rough water easily and the extra length effortlessly dealing with bigger swell – especially heading upwind. The boxy rails are perfect for driving hard through even the most challenging of situations and give the board the feel of being able to hold larger sails than quoted. Around the corners it holds plenty of speed, but definitely favours a wider arc for the fastest gybe exits and also being in the control of more experienced riders.

THE VERDICT

The Mistral is a classic slalom racer in modern construction form. It goes extremely fast in a straight line and cuts a fast turn around the mark. The shape works well in a wide range of conditions, particularly in gnarlier settings. Best suited to the more experienced and maybe heavier rider who wants a dependable shape to race around the slalom course or for blistering GPS speed sailing runs.

MISTRAL-BOARDS.COM


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