Yesterday and today first tests on the new S2 Venom. Lots of changes....most extreme visible ones: way more sidebend, added depth down low. Different tension on the leech which I will explain indeep on in other posts to come.

I used the day to vary on a lot of settings and it's clear the range has increased dramatically. There are basically four options to go fast:

Tons of downhaul with negative outhaul when sailing small to super small. This results in a similar feel to the 2018.

Positive outhaul on this setting when the wind gets too strong, this is clearly better than last year.

For slalom and speed on big boards for given conditions lower downhaul with negative outhaul. This gives massive pull in gusty conditions. Also here a clear breach with last year. Explanations to follow over the year.

Lower downhaul and neutral outhaul for slalom in more laminar conditions.

Serge and I have been in close contact with Art and Barry and it's clear we were in synch together. 

I sailed the Sym speed and Z SLM. Both worked great. The sym speed more at ease as always in conditions like this. Furthermore I used two boards: Falcon 80 and Falcon Speed. On the Falcon 80 I trimmed the slalom style. Eventhough winds were very light for the 6.3 the set was fast. On the Falcon Speed I trimmed for speed, so the same setting I used succesfully last year and early this year in the light Herkingen conditions. Pull is insane and I could have easily gone to 5.7 on the speedboard and get moving just as fast as the boys on slalomkit. You have to feel it to believe it.

Last tip: don't use spacers. The sail is designed to breathe and balance doesn't come from a tight sleeve on the beach. The sleeve sets itself on the water under load. Many slalomriders will be tempted and kill potential the sail holds. I am open for advice. Send an e-mail if you want to know more

debijenworf at gmail dot com