Control and top speed – that’s what it’s all about when you want to be on the podium. JP’s four Slalom boards are designed for blasting at PWA competition speed, rounding jibes at full speed and maintaining control in the broadest range of conditions possible. Their control will also benefit lighter riders, allowing them to remain in control even when fully overpowered and enabling them to get up to top speed quickly and maintain that speed. This year, the 66 and 76 are two completely new sizes designed to cater to the enthusiastic slalom rider searching for different volumes. On top of that, all boards now get a turbo boost thanks to the new technology: S-TEC gives the boards a new and completely different look and makes the already very light boards even lighter! The boards plane earlier and are easier to control and thus faster.

S-TEC

Optimizing weight is especially an issue on performance board. So, the new and groundbreaking S-TEC construction is also used for JP’s race boards. The estimated average weight saving of the S-TEC for the Slalom is expected be up to 0.3 kilo. Considering that previous boards were already extremely light every additional weight reduction is impressive! This is achieved through the following changes:

* No paint
* Reduction of anti-slip, used only in standing areas
* Reduction of UV-paint
* Smaller and thinner pads – less EVA and less glue
* Refined custom lamination process, with fibres prepared and laminated separately

Durability remains at the proven level as all important reinforcements remain unchanged and especially through the use of Biax-Carbon. Only items that have no relevance for strength and durability are reduced or abandoned.
The other essential contribution to weight saving comes from the optimized lamination process which not only creates a totally new look, but making the boards up to 300 grams lighter this year and contributes to improved performance.
What a great feature for all our Slalom boards !

The weight-saving design involves minimal use of UV-resistant paint, which may lead to slightly different shades of colours in certain areas over time.
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The new 76 and 66
Slalom windsurfing in medium to light winds is simply a great, thrilling experience, and the 125 L board is built for exactly that. The SL 76 feels lighter and more playful than the big, wide SL 85 you would need for the lightest of winds.
The design concept of the new SL 66 is more similar to that of the SL 62.5. On the one hand, this new 105 L shape for medium winds is for those lighter riders for whom the SL 72 feels too big. On the other, it is an medium to high wind board for heavyweights who prefer a little more width and volume than they can find in the small 62.5. The slightly larger size makes planing and sailing easier overall.
Whether you’re racing or just enjoying an exciting ride, both new boards deliver goosebump-inducing speed for everyone.
According to our shaper Werner Gnigler, the key shape feature for these high-performance boards is the changing V-flow along the smooth scoop rocker line. The V is strongly pronounced in front of the mast base, tapers down near the foot straps and opens up again towards the tail. This reduces drag, improves efficiency, and supports a high and loose water position while facilitating control during jibes to maintain speed through each turn.
Like the Slalom 62.5, which we introduced last season, the Slalom 76 also comes with the following three shape characteristics:

* Double Step Cut-Outs
The Double Step Cut-Outs in the bottom of the tail provide control, optimize the water flow while reducing drag and consequently maximizing your speed and agility. They thin out the rails which makes jibing at top speed easier. The cut-outs are more pronounced on the board with more volume than on the smaller board.

* Lifted Apex Point of the Rail (also: Slalom 66)
The rail’s lifted apex point from the mid section to the nose keeps the nose from catching and adds control. Its main benefit is that it creates more lift to get you planing and to accelerate. Additionally, it will boosts flotation during the carve and prevents the board from slowing down, allowing the rider to maintain full speed through the turn.

* Wide Tail Outline (also: Slalom 66)
The outline remains fairly parallel towards the tail, providing a wide planing surface and creating a stance that allows the rider to generate maximum fin power and maintain control in all circumstances. The thoughtfully positioned foot straps allow riders to efficiently distribute power, while making it easy to get in and out of the straps for jibes. The wide tail contributes to maintaining speed through the jibes and greatly improves early planing and acceleration.

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The general concept of this SLALOM line:
When designing and fine tuning this line, our focus is to increase the average speed across the race course, paying special attention to jibing where some of the biggest gains can be made during a race. Here, the target is to maintain speed throughout the turn and to exit faster.

The shapes offer a great, locked, and stable riding position. Far less effort is required to reach and maintain top speed and all of them provide great early planing power and a wide range of use. The tails of these boards are wide and provide lots of leverage towards the fin, resulting in more power and control.

The smooth deck shape guarantees a super comfortable stance. The rider preserves energy to push his limits on longer runs.
All sizes feature an additional pad wedge between the tail straps providing a more connected feel.

Each board size features its individual tail Cut-Out configuration in the bottom to find the perfect mix of release and lengthy rail line for control, for example, the first Cut-Outs of the bigger boards start much further forward and the curve of the Cut-Outs increases towards the tail.
The target is always efficient water release as well as an even water flow around the fin in order to provide steady fin pressure for permanent power and top speed. The Slalom 62.5 and the new 76 feature Double Step Cut-Outs, meaning their two cut-outs have different heights.

From the mid-section of the board towards the nose we lifted the apex point of the rail. That way we gained some volume in the rail which helps exiting jibes with speed.

Beside the concave deck shape we used an additional recess for the deck box. The pivot point of the mast base drops and provides additional control when pushing the limits and during the jibe. “Close the gap”: The lowered sail foot creates the most efficient airflow.

Six core design elements guarantee the perfect set-up for PWA racing:

DUAL TAIL OUTLINES – individually adjusted to each board size. The Cut-Out configuration reduces the outline width and the wetted surface of the bottom for less drag and higher speeds. The deck outline above the cut-outs is wider which results in a further outboard rear strap position: The rider can load more power onto the fin for more control and speed. The Double Step Cut-Outs of the 62.5 and 76 are parts of this individual shape adjustment.

TRANSFORMING VEE FLOW along the bottom – the Vee is strongly pronounced in front of the mast base, decreasing between the foot straps and opening again towards the tail. Thus, the board rides high and loose, ironing out all the chop. The transforming V results in a curvy rail line which makes jibing smoother and helps to exit the turn at full speed.

COMPACT CONCEPT – The parallel outline in the mid-section of the short board maximizes the planing surface at the mast base, lifting the boards onto the plane instantly.

THIN PROFILE – in the nose area reduces drag since this is the part which is affected most by the wind. This, in combination with a concave deck, means we managed to keep the swing weight centred for great top end control.

DECK SHAPES – Stance
A tiny but essential advantage: The comfortable and ergonomic deck shape guarantees a relaxed stance, allowing the rider to focus on going faster.

DECK SHAPES – Efficiency
The board features the proven concave deck reducing swing weight and now comes with an additional recess for the deck box, dropping the pivot point of the mast base. As a result, the sail foot seals the gap between the board and sail providing ultimate efficiency as well as additional control when pushing the limits and during the jibe.

This year, the boards feature a standard Deep Tuttle box and are no longer approved for foiling.

It's simply fun to sail at maximum pace and win races!