Black Project Fins’ Chris Freeman reports from the third leg of the 2013 Maui Race Series held on Saturday 29th June.

“The MRS offers the perfect testing ground for slalom equipment with consistent (if often gusty) trade winds throughout the summer months Kanaha Beach Park provides the perfect arena for high octane racing. With an international field including riders from USA, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Austria, Australia, New Zealand and more the events are far from local slalom races! With PWA riders past and present in attendance in all categories you can be assured that you will be pushed to your max. 

Having missed the first two events while on AWT duty it was great to be back on the start line albeit always a little intimidating, but you have to have confidence in your timer and run your own race, nailing the first start (maybe a little early but didn’t get DSQ) and jibing second behind Dan (Ellis) was a great way to get back into the swing of things. 

Unlike other race series the MRS has a multitude of divisions, with all racers assigned to an age and an ability group, the result is that you are all but guaranteed 8 competitive races per day. The course is typically very broad and was one reason behind the initial idea to develop the Type RS fin. Work started last summer with the first prototypes which we used in the racing. We were looking for a looser feel, less lift and a bit more top end off the wind. The winds are typically strong with 7.0-6.0 normal even for bigger guys, but the marks are often in the wind shadow so you have to be able to keep your speed and pump on the fin at exit.

Round #3 enjoyed lighter winds and more technical racing than normal with 8.0 – 7.0 sails and bigger boards than normal. Personally I had been hoping for some lighter wind racing and was perfectly balanced on the iSonic 97, 7.3m and Type RS 38cm. With the rain and squalls each race proved to be a little different and I was pleased of the extra control and top end when maxed out. The Type RS has more flex than the Type R which helps in the chop and gusty conditions, it also likes to be powered up which encourages you to sail maxed out which is so important for board speed in the tough racing! 

At the end of the exhausting day I was not one of the winners finishing 4th and 6th in my respective divisions but I was very pleased with the results with my best race finishing in 2nd. My equipment felt perfectly balanced for the conditions and the course set. More practice is required for sure before the next race event (every 2 weeks) which will unfortunately be my last of the season before I get back onto the AWT Tour schedule with trips to Mexico and possibly Peru.” Chris Freeman (Hot Sails Maui | Black Project Fins | Angulo Custom Boards | Kanaha Kai Maui ) 

Full Maui Race Series results and more info can be found here, with two more events left in the 2013 calendar it is not too late to get your name on the start line!

More information about the Type RS fin can be found here, if you are looking for a downwind slalom or GPS fin then this could be the perfect option for you.

More to follow…