Background
The Ice is North’s world cup wave sail, designed to excel in any wave conditions and more specifically with single fin boards. It has had a complete make-over for 2012, with a new shorter luff and lighter construction.

At a glance
The Ice comes with all the usual North features, such as Visual Trim System and Twin Trim Clew, it also has a new moulded mast protector on the tack. This year’s model has a more compact shape, for improved handling and is claimed to be 10% lighter.

Rigging
The Ice is compatible with either SDM or RDM masts, the recommended is an RDM and we tested the sail with a North Platinum 400 RD mast. It is quick and easy to rig, with clear and accurate guides on the sail to help you. The tuning range is very wide and adaptable for a variety of styles and conditions, we found it best however, set fairly flat with plenty of down-haul and a loose leech, then tuned with the out-haul.

On the water
It feels very light and perfectly balanced in the hands. The pull is forward in the sail, which gives it a very light and easy handling feel. Its wind range is very good, particularly at the top end where it handles any gust with ease. It is also still good at the bottom end and is soft enough to be pumped to good effect and get you going early. The handling is razor sharp but it is also forgiving and won’t punish you, which gives you a huge confidence boost and enables you to get the most out of the sail and push your riding.
The forward pull makes it particularly good when paired up with single fin boards but we also found it to work well with multi fins too.

Summing up
A great all-round wave sail with sharp handling and a light feel, it was one of the standouts on the test for easy high wind performance.

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