MISTRAL SLALOM 112L 2013 TEST REVIEW
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.
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