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RRD-Firewing-631x420

RRD FIREWING 7.0M 2013 TEST REVIEW

Stats Size (m2) 7.0 Luff (cm) 455 Boom (cm) 198 Battens 7 Ideal Mast 430/21 IMCS Extension Req (cm) 25 Price £599

RRD FIREWING 7.0M 2013 TEST REVIEW

The low-down
The Fire Wing is an all-new sail in the RRD range and the first cambered race sail to come from their loft. It’s designed to be light and powerful for high speeds on the slalom racecourse. RRD are PWA registered members with their title-winning race boards so it will be interesting to see who might race their sails in 2013?

At-a-glance

Seven battens with three mini battens and three cams

Moderately wide luff sleeve with x-ply section and Kevlar detail

Cutaway clew

Diagonal luff-to-clew seam

2-part leading edge with Dacron and ripstop panels

X-ply reinforcement in critical areas

Padded tack fairing with uphaul cut-out

Solid race style foil shape

Low aspect outline although narrow in head


Rigging
With a fairly radical taper in the luff sleeve and only 3 cams (zip on bottom cam only) to worry about the Firewing was straightforward to rig using an RRD 100% carbon mast. The tuning range is good with plenty of adjustment through the outhaul. It sets best with a fair bit of downhaul and the leech loose to just past batten 5 and in general has the appearance of a solid and powerful looking foil.

Performance
Instantly light in the hands and fairly eager to get going, there was enough torque for early-planing but the acceleration was most impressive when nicely powered-up. It’s here at the top end where the Firewing is notably stable and balanced and able to hold larger gusts without any problem. With one of the shorter booms on test, a high—cut foot and a fairly aggressive boom cut-out it’s definitely fun to gybe with a light feel, smooth rotation and plenty of power to exit with.

The Verdict
The Firewing is a very impressive new product from RRD, especially considering it’s their first effort at a cambered race sail. Undoubtedly fast in a straight line, with great handling in a wide range of water conditions, it’s best suited to the windier end of the scale and would satisfy most slalom racers or freeride speedsters looking for an easy-to-use sail for powered-up sessions.

ROBERTORICCIDESIGNS.COM

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