formula racer in San Francisco Bay
Formula windsurfing has developed over the last 15 years in order to facilitate high performance competition in light and moderate winds. Formula is now a class of windsurfing boards controlled by the International Sailing Federation that have the principal characteristic of a maximum 1m width . They have a single fin, which is typically 70cm long and carry sails up to 12.5 m2. Class rules allow sailors to choose boards of different designs, as long as they are certified as Formula boards, and use fins and sails of different sizes.
Large sails in combination with the 'wide-style' design allow planing in very low wind conditions. However, if these requirements are not met, the boards cannot be used and events will not take place, as non-planing sailing is very difficult with this design. Formula boards are used on "flat water" as opposed to coastal surf; but racing is still held in windy conditions involving swell and chop.
Formula boards have excellent upwind and downwind ability, but are not very comfortable on a beam reach. This explains why the course is usually a box with longer upwind and downwind legs, or just a simple upwind-downwind loop.
Via: WIkipedia
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