Riding Downwind

Wingfoiling on a broad reach

As with all sailing sports, when wing foiling you also have to sail a broad reach to reach a destination downwind. When sailing downwind, the pressure in the wing decreases, so you can't sail directly on a straight course to leeward (with the wind), but rather in a zigzag on very deep downwind legs.

To do this, you leave the crosswind course by bearing away from the wind (weight the lee edge, push the wing slightly forward and lift it) and change to the broad reach course.

On a downwind course, you will travel faster unless you choose a particularly low course (more than a 45 degrees angle to the wind). Since the wind pressure decreases, you stand exactly above the board. You have to be careful to stay in foiling mode, especially when taking very broad courses.

June 21, 2024 © WING DAILY  |  text: Jürgen Schall  |  photos/graphics: Duotone  |  translation: DE