hi there,
I do not have a lot of experience in Race, but if you want to perform in kite-racing you need the good kite but also the good board with the good fins, and the good physical condition, and good regatta strategy.
The Ozone Edge seems good, and is definitely a great upwind kite, although I found it very physical in stronger wind: heavy in the arms, not sure how many hours I could race on such a kite...
Also, the Takoon Chrono seems very good upwind and downwind, french rider Julien Kerneur is one of the few riders who manages to often beat Bruno Sroka (Cabrinha rider on the top of PKRA racing)
I would think that you would need a kite that has good upwind performance but also a kite with good depower, and good steering speed.
The race is also on the equipment in Europe. At the moment, the tendency on boards seems to go for very wide boards >60cm, and huge fins (see picture): as long as your legs can handle it ;0) over 30cm in the front. US boxes will hold bigger fins (lots of custom race boards use this now) while it is risky to put big fins in mini thuttle boxes.
For very lightwind (6knots), the foil boards (see pix) are starting to dominate, they are so efficient upwind!!! but you need very good riding skills downwind if you do not want to be over-taken by a race-board.
I sincerely hope racing is gonna become bigger & bigger in OZ! and remember to get ready for the Nationals during Anzac week end in April 2011 in Alva beach ;0)
cheers,
