FEEDBACK: WING SUPERPOWER 2022

Test of the Superpower in light wind conditions by Marion who enjoyed the effortless take-offs with the 6m².

“Hello everyone,

This weekend I tested the Superpower V2 in 6m². I’m 1m70 for 65kg. Conditions were irregular around 10/12 knots, up to 13 knots before dropping down.

Gear

I was on the HIPE 2022 4’11 with as foil, theFluid XXL-S, Stab Curve 43cm with the carbon V2 mast in 85cm.

Being used to riding a 5m² (which usually more than enough for my size), I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of use of this wing!

Huge at first sight for my little being, its significant compactness is felt when sailing to offer very good maneuverability in flight and during maneuvers:

Pumping is different from other wings.

It is notably slower, like in windsurfing with the big slalom sails with cambers. It is not a question of stirring the air by pumping several strokes, but rather of doing 2 to 3 slower pumping strokes, to appreciate the power. Let the wing do the work. 2/3 pumping strokes are enough to take off and fly in the distance while friends are still glued to the water with their 5m² wing 😉

With its tighter spinnaker, the V2 will take off 2 knots earlier, which is far from negligible.

It also made me think of a 4-cambers windsurfing sail, with a hollow placed forward and which extends almost to the start of the second handle, thus offering balanced power on both hands!!

I thought I would be overwhelmed by power, especially in the gusts but it holds up very well thanks to a fairly gentle feeling. It is typically not the wing that pulls too much to the point of being uncomfortable to ride. For those with other models, the power of the “Pulse” is more present in the hands than this one.

Which is a very good point because it also makes it possible to hold it beyond 10 knots, for my size.

In flight

My front hand is mostly at the end of the first handle, and my back hand, at the beginning of the last handle. No need to sheet in hard. Just a little is enough, to have enough power to fly, cruise around the spot, pass the wind holes and go upwind.

Besides, speaking of that, the passage of wind holes or wind shadow is E.A.S.Y and it heads up easily in strong winds!

The handles are thinner than on the V1, for better grip

In maneuvers

A little more technical than with my 5m². You have to think about the length of the batten, especially in the jibes. You have to adapt, but within the session, you’ll find your little technique.

For my part :

In the light wind, I sheet in before the jibe, stretching my arm upwards, in order to raise the sail and thus have sufficient space for the batten.
In the stronger wind, once the jibe is engaged, I leave it in freefly mode at height and I take it back at the end. It allows to have a more fluid jibe and not to worry about the sail.

The front handle is quite far back. It’s surprising at first, you get used to it later in the session, but very well placed for the length of the batten.

Overall, it’s a wing that I can add to my quiver to save the day when the wind is super light or when I want to fly without breaking a sweat ;).”