Alessandra Sensini [ITA], ISAF World Sailor of the Year, was the first to sail the new Lipstick Red RS:X One Design 8.5m sail at the WPNSA yesterday. The RS:X Class has worked closely with Neil Pryde on this project in response to the report published by ISAF on the equipment used at the 2008 Olympic Regatta. This suggested that the RS:X sails could be more colorfull.
The change to Lipstick Red for the women and youth and Burnt Orange for the men is purely cosmetic. There has been no change to the technical specification at all. Neil Pryde have simply changed the grey color for colors which will stand out much more readily on the water.
On returning ashore, Alessandra said " Its nice to have the color"
Having received the go-ahead for this cosmetic change from the recently held RS:X AGM, Neil Pryde will now make final adjustments to the method of the applying the color so that there is an even spread across the sail. Then an accelerated UV test will be done as well as more on the water testing. Production will begin as soon as these tests have been completed. The availability date has not been decided but is expected to allow riders to use the colorful sails at the 2010 RS:X Windsurfing European and World Championships
Alessandra Sensini tests RS:X Evolution Video