I've been working on my technique since the first foil race series back in 2018 when I competed in the free-foil division (1 lap instead of 2) where I was 2nd in the smaller fleet. It was a great experience, and the friendly advice from all the other sailors inspired me to upgrade my slalom sails to foiling wings and my foil from a SlingShot to an AFS, and take on the nationals for 2020 (aimed for top 10, got 12th).

So now I'm working on my speed, specifically upwind in this post. To be clear, the upwind/downwind course races are the norm, and so you need to sail upwind as high and fast as possible, so this means 45 degrees into the wind, rather than say 50 degrees but faster.

However, my main issue has been racing off the start line and watching others sail away about 10% or 2 knots faster than me... or a few degrees higher angle. I'm using an AFS 1000R race foil so I can match the best for angles now, but speed is still an issue.

Go-Pro's are a great way to get some footage of what you / others are doing right/wrong, and drones are better!
I've watched a few videos like this one www.facebook.com/intformulawindsurfingclass/videos/415191725928126/ and you can see the good sailors keep the foot of the sail sheeted in and on the deck between the straps (50 seconds to 70s especially). Whereas I used to let it sheet (out a lot).

Some other observations about speed upwind.
1. Rig fast. Flat sails tend to be quick, lots of downhaul and outhaul.
2. Don't sheet out. This requires
3. Harness back. It takes a bit of getting used to but especially 10m sails are very powerful
4. Hands back. Moving your front hand back feels odd at first, but is important too.
5. Fly stable. This is probably the hardest part, as every gust affects board speed, foil lift, trim angle, ...
6. Heel foil to windward - a little higher out of the water can also help (less in rough)
7. Sitting into the harness and keep the nose down with mast foot pressure
8. Drive your legs, absorb the gusts power by pushing through your legs into the foil. Takes a bit (lot) of guts...
9. Wide board, the 91 (or even 1.0) wide boards really give you leverage over the big front wings, especially at the back foot!
10. Sail cantered over head if getting over powered, so you can keep the sail sheeted in.

When I started foiling, I could barely control a 5m sail partially sheeted in.... now I'm powering upwind (17kts board speed) in 18kts with a 10.0! . I've heard others can do 20kts upwind.

When I get it right, it actually feels similar to powerful slalom (or formula I imagine) sailing, just a LOT more sensitive to foot pressue and body position!

For a long video I've made see the full race nationals here:
or a shorter one on lift control here:

Good angles below..., hands back (not far enough?)



and not so good here... hands way forward, gap open...



Let the debate begin!