92 SPOTLIGHT
Dependable fun
Mistral Zonda 5.4m, 6.5m, 7.8 freeride sails
comparison test
Info: www.mistral.com/sails-windsurf/ Prices: 5.4: £1,149; 6.5: £1,179; 7.8: £1,199
WORDS: WINDSURFING UK PICS: JAMES JAGGER
MOVING ON FROM OUR TEST OF MISTRAL’S QUIKSLIDE
FREERIDE BOARD RANGE LAST ISSUE WE NOW SHINE
THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE BRAND’S ACCOMPANYING
RANGE OF THREE FREERIDE SAILS – THE ZONDA LINE.
COMING AS A 5.4M, 6.5M AND 7.8M THERE’S A SIZE FOR
MOST WIND TYPES. OR ANOTHER WAY TO LOOK AT IT IS: A
COMPLETE QUIVER FOR THE MODERN FREERIDE
WINDSURFER.
Firstly you’ll notice the lightweight nature of each Zonda size. Even the
biggest 7.8m doesn’t have excessive weight – particular welcome when you
get above 6m regardless of which brand you’re considering.
uk
WIND
SURFING
Rigging is swift and easy with all three
sails. They’re not especially sensitive to
tuning, although there’s a decent
amount of range you can irk out. That
said, for the splash ‘n’ dash rider who
doesn’t have time to faff, simply
sheath, downhaul, outhaul and go. In
nearly every scenario this’ll see you
right once afloat. For those that do like
to tinker then we’d suggest keeping the
leach fairly tight will yield best results.
Using the Zonda’s outhaul is the best
course of action if you need to flatten
or make the sail fuller.