WindsurfingUK issue 10 March 2019 | Page 101

SPOTLIGHT 101 Pure chemistry S2 Maui Alchemy 5.7m Info: www.s2maui.com/alchemy-2019/ Price: £689 WORDS: WINDSURFING UK PICS: JAMES JAGGER THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE TESTED AN S2 MAUI SAIL BUT WITH BARRY SPANIER’S LEGENDARY NAME IN THE MIX (S2 MAUI'S HEAD DESIGNER AND LONG TIME SAIL MAKING GENIUS) WE WERE PRETTY CONFIDENT THE ALCHEMY 5.7M WOULD BE WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER. Pics never do products justice and it’s no different here. S2 Maui’s attention to detail, with elements such as seams and stitching, is top drawer. Combined with the Alchemy’s eye catching livery and light weight it's a tough sail but one that's sure to turn heads Billed as a blasting wave sail the Alchemy is suited to a variety of windsurfing scenarios. Whether confronted by light wind float and ride conditions, powered up surf sailing environments or classic bump and jump weather the Alchemy slots efficiently in. Also, being a five batten sail it's got a decent top end that's therefore good for powered to overpowered runs. It won’t bend riders out of shape, even if the wind’s cranking. For many 5.7m may be perceived as a big rig – perhaps too big, especially when talking moves. Yet chucking the Alchemy into a few under powered forwards proved rewarding. The sail gives efficient lift for airborne shenanigans. It actually doesn't feel its size going handle bars over and hard landings are softly absorbed. Another area the S2 Maui Alchemy 5.7m suits is windfoiling. In fact, it’s arguably a level pegging forte of the sail despite it not being specifically designed for flight school. Effortless to pump in this guise with a progressive lift it's a good choice for anyone looking for a new foiling tool. Conclusion S2 Maui’s Alchemy 5.7m is a great example of a plug ‘n' play windsurfing sail that’s fit for multiple purposes. Applicable to proper wave riding environments but also suited to real world windsurfing conditions – waves or no – any sailor owning their own would be happily content. Foilers also feel free to apply here. Tough, aesthetically pleasing and with oodles of design pedigree the Alchemy 5.7m is a smile inducing windy engine any sailor can appreciate. uk WIND SURFING