RS-X Evolution provides revolutionary performance

by Rory Ramsden on 22 Jan 2011 RS:X Asian Grand Prix Singapore edition featured 10 specially built new light weight RS:X Evolutions. Be sure that this is an evolution of the existing RS:X. It comes from the same mould as the RS:X so it is the same shape as the existing RS:X and if it were on the market today, it would be the same price as the existing RS:X.

So what's the difference?

It's up to 3 kgs lighter. It has a new sail including the latest developments in windsurf rig design. It has a wider wind range. It faster and more responsive. All in all the RS:X Evolution provides a revolution in terms of performance.

Together with Neil Pryde Windsurfing, the RS:X Class is planning a series of Grand Prix events to thoroughly test the revolutionary evolution of the existing equipment but also to test the new short course format concept of 'City Centre Racing'.

With a maximum of 10 racers in each heat and a race length of 8-10 minutes, this new style of racing will be taken to Hong Kong (March), Shanghai (April) and Mondello in May with more dates planned in other continents later in the year.

The plan is to thorughly test course configurations so that they can be incorporated into the RS:X 'Back-To-The-Future' format proposals for Rio 2016.

So racing on day one of a major class championship may take the form of a long distance race using a natural course, set with gates and a Le Mans style mass start off the beach. Day 2 would then include up to three races of 40 - 45 minutes with long windward leeward legs before moving on to the second round which would take the form of a double elimination knock-out quarter, semi and finals. No discards. No protests ashore.

Provided that the RS:X Class Annual General Meeting accepts the concepts, the RS:X Evolution will be the centre piece of the bid to retain Olympic status for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.

The package is proving to be as fast as a Formula or large Slalom board and will remain the least expensive high tech sailing equipment with the most consistent build quality in the Olympic sailing scene.

'There were a lot of firsts in these events,' said Mr. Khoo. 'Besides the experience of sailing right in the middle of the city when most are used to the sea, there were also these new boards which were seen sailing for the first time.'

Hong Kong windsurfers dominated The RS:X Asian Grand Prix with the men’s and women’s categories won by Andy Leung Ho Tsun and Chan Wai Kei respectively.

President Ben Tan of the Singapore Sailing Federation has called it a 'Windsurfing Resurgence' and a great success which has turned a new page in the book of Windsurfing.

RS:X Evolution Womens Final
Sail No Sailor Country Div Race 3
HKG Chan Wai Ke HKG W 1
THA Napalai Tansai THA W 2
MAS Geh Cheow Lin MAS W 3

RS:X Evolution Mens Final
Sail No Sailor Country Div Race 3
HKG Andy Leung Ho Tsun HKG M 1
KOR Lee Tae Hoon KOR M 2
THA Ek Boonsawad THA M 3

RS:X Class website