NEIL PRYDE H2 RACING 7.2M 2013 TEST REVIEW
NEIL PRYDE H2 RACING 7.2M 2013 TEST REVIEW
The low-down
The H2 Racing is NeilPryde’s all-new sail ‘club level’ freerace sail from for 2013, replacing both the 2012 H2 and RS Slalom it combines twin cam easy handling with race sail performance. As the new little brother to NeilPryde’s World Cup winning RS Racing line, the H2 Racing has been tuned-up with a new, lighter modular luff tube with stretch-resistant Kevlar sleeve section for a more stable profile and a low friction panel in the cam area to aid rotation.
At-a-glance
Moderately narrow two-part luff tube (Kevlar laminated upper)
Eight battens with four micro leech battens
Two cams
Single clew cringle
Large compact clew cut out
4-directional polyester yarn X-ply foot
Moulded tack fairing
Tool less batten adjustment
Dyneema clew and foot radial reinforcement
High quality finish and attention to detail
Rigging
With just the two cams to worry about rigging was quick and easy using an X9 460 100% carbon mast. There’s an impressive tuning range that can be tweaked to suit a wide range of conditions – be it for lighter winds and maximum bottom end or higher winds and control – and the 7.2 always set with a crisp clean foil shape.
Performance
Straight away it was clear the H2 Racing powers up very early, with plenty of bottom end grunt instantly available from the deep foil low down. It accelerates quickly and freely up through the gears towards its top end, which, for a twin cam sail, is seriously impressive and gave a lot of the multi cam sails on test a proper scare. The handling was positive, with a subtle level of feedback on the backhand perfect for squeezing out the power on deep downwind reaches. Being nice and light to the touch – feeling like a twin cam not a race sail at the marks – it was a joy to gybe with the rotation as smooth as silk.
The Verdict
The 2013 H2 Racing is a very impressive new sail, easily matching the 2012 version in terms of ease-of-use and handling but now with some serious performance to boot. Suitable for all levels of rider, from freeriders to racers looking for a fast and hassle free foil that would be perfect for entry-level speed, slalom or long-distance competition.
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