The flashes of what is possible and the full summer to test and develop have brought us to creating the TR-9 and TR-9 XT, which are certainly our fastest and most easy handling version of the concepts yet.

Watching relative lightweight Taty Frans take on the biggest guys and be speed competitive, not to mention schooling them with his wicked inside jibes, reinforced our commitment to make sailing ease and smoothness a top design priority. On the other end of the spectrum, Micah Buzianis, 30% heavier and proportionally as strong, found success and the speed to improve his ranking. His adjustment to our different shaping style and performance characteristics has been easy for us all. Concentrated testing with Phil McGain, also racing and winning at Championship levels, resulted in a number of significant improvements. There is no such thing as ‘it can’t be faster’.

TR-8 was the refinement of a grand change to outline and twist initiated with the seventh in the Team Race Series. Encouraged by results we were seeing in all kinds of racing all over the world, we knew beginning with these successful designs was already a head start. The goal was simple. The TR-9 race sails have to manage increased range and top speed without compromising instant acceleration out of the jibes. We achieved this by tackling a number of elements, from tuning luff curve and shaping relationships, to outline adjustments, and re-evaluating the stretch and orientation of sail body materials.

The modified structure of the TR-9 wide luff increases the use of ultra-light Technora™ in the upper half of the sleeve. This achieved two goals. By reducing stretch in the upper sleeve there is better range and stability, and the added benefit of reducing weight in the top of the sail.

The outline geometries and aspect ratios have been adjusted on a size-by-size basis to ensure optimum balance and tension throughout the range.  Correct tension relationships are confirmed scientifically through the use of our custom load cell. This assures a rational level of change going from one sail to another.  Leech twist profiles achieve the magic balance of enough release for light handling and control in gusts, while still maintaining sufficient tension for good acceleration and forward drive. The new sleeve material configuration allows increased cam pressure to maintain a locked profile, while still allowing painless cam rotation. Added tension in the lower body has been carefully balanced with the improved release in the mid and upper leech to ensure that the sails feel efficient and slippery in the wind, giving tremendous range.