Continuous testing revealed that how the boards are constructed (where and how much the boards flex) had almost as much influence on the performance and ‘feel’ as the actual design itself. So the focus of the testing team during the past winter was to test various versions of completely re-designed layups in all models, resulting in a range of slalom boards that were undoubtedly the best product any of the team had ever sailed!
Model Specific Layups
Each model for 2019 has a custom layup according to the normal wind range and use of that model, which is a departure from past ideology whereby the whole range was designed with fundamentally the same layups and materials. Testing has revealed big gains in this new approach!
The end result is a world-class burst of acceleration and top speed along with amazing control.
The 2019 World Cup Slalom boards are split into three sectors: the high wind, the medium wind and the light wind. 2 models for each category that fit all the needs of Novenove's customers.
Hi Wind – 89 and 99
The 89 and 99 have a more traditional design platform compared to the other models in the range with their wide points slightly further forward and a straighter outline between the straps to help gybing and control when overpowered. They have an inline vee bottom shape in the tail and an increasing vee into the nose with a deep double concave for control and grip/stability in strong winds. The big improvement jump from 2017 to 2018 were in the cut outs continued on 2019: they have a reduced wetted surface area next to the fin, a reduced wetted surface area in the width of the wings on the outside section of the cutouts, and the big performance jump came from what has been called the ‘V-Star Tail’. Novenove took the V tail behind the fin at the last release point and started to play with how much they could take out toward the fin box depending on the board size. Less V-Star cut out for stronger winds and more for lighter winds. The results were fantastic; insane speeds and acceleration. The whole team was super happy with the results!
Medium Wind – 109 and 119
For the 109 and 119 Novenove did a lot of work into the back foot rail to increase the comfort and also to increases the acceleration at low and high speeds. A lot of work was also done with the entry of the rocker line, in terms of where the board is reacting in the front, to try to keep it very smooth on the releases and also on the back hand with the V-Star tail, which has an increased cut out compared to the smaller boards. The reduction of the wetted surface area next to the tuttle box and also the reduction of the size of the winglets on the side meant only one thing: excellent speed and a new level of acceleration
Light Wind – 129 and 139 (Foil Proof fin box)
The World Cup Slalom 129 and 139 went through a big design upgrade for 2018 continued in 2019. A lot of work was done on trying to increase the control and stability on the water and this was achieved through an all new bottom shape. Novenove put a lot more V in the nose, with extremely deep and large concaves and a bigger inverted V in the tail. As with the other boards in the range, there is a reduction of the wetted surface area around the n and particularly behind the n with the revolutionary V-Star tail, which has the biggest cut out on these light wind boards.
Power Pads
Newly designed rear foot pads that raise the toe side of the foot to enable more access to the fin power in light wind and also gain control in the strong winds as the back foot remains stable even in the strongest gusts.
“The testing results were blowing our minds, literally board lengths of speed were gained without any loss of control.
Additionally acceleration was also increased, particularly when the gust arrives as the nose stays down and the hyper speed feeling takes over!
The new range of WCSL boards are the masterpieces of Novenove, whereby they try to bring the racing car F1 look into our sport with boards that are simply more technically advanced”
Model Specific Layups
Each model for 2019 has a custom layup according to the normal wind range and use of that model, which is a departure from past ideology whereby the whole range was designed with fundamentally the same layups and materials. Testing has revealed big gains in this new approach!
The end result is a world-class burst of acceleration and top speed along with amazing control.
The 2019 World Cup Slalom boards are split into three sectors: the high wind, the medium wind and the light wind. 2 models for each category that fit all the needs of Novenove's customers.
Hi Wind – 89 and 99
The 89 and 99 have a more traditional design platform compared to the other models in the range with their wide points slightly further forward and a straighter outline between the straps to help gybing and control when overpowered. They have an inline vee bottom shape in the tail and an increasing vee into the nose with a deep double concave for control and grip/stability in strong winds. The big improvement jump from 2017 to 2018 were in the cut outs continued on 2019: they have a reduced wetted surface area next to the fin, a reduced wetted surface area in the width of the wings on the outside section of the cutouts, and the big performance jump came from what has been called the ‘V-Star Tail’. Novenove took the V tail behind the fin at the last release point and started to play with how much they could take out toward the fin box depending on the board size. Less V-Star cut out for stronger winds and more for lighter winds. The results were fantastic; insane speeds and acceleration. The whole team was super happy with the results!
Medium Wind – 109 and 119
For the 109 and 119 Novenove did a lot of work into the back foot rail to increase the comfort and also to increases the acceleration at low and high speeds. A lot of work was also done with the entry of the rocker line, in terms of where the board is reacting in the front, to try to keep it very smooth on the releases and also on the back hand with the V-Star tail, which has an increased cut out compared to the smaller boards. The reduction of the wetted surface area next to the tuttle box and also the reduction of the size of the winglets on the side meant only one thing: excellent speed and a new level of acceleration
Light Wind – 129 and 139 (Foil Proof fin box)
The World Cup Slalom 129 and 139 went through a big design upgrade for 2018 continued in 2019. A lot of work was done on trying to increase the control and stability on the water and this was achieved through an all new bottom shape. Novenove put a lot more V in the nose, with extremely deep and large concaves and a bigger inverted V in the tail. As with the other boards in the range, there is a reduction of the wetted surface area around the n and particularly behind the n with the revolutionary V-Star tail, which has the biggest cut out on these light wind boards.
Power Pads
Newly designed rear foot pads that raise the toe side of the foot to enable more access to the fin power in light wind and also gain control in the strong winds as the back foot remains stable even in the strongest gusts.
“The testing results were blowing our minds, literally board lengths of speed were gained without any loss of control.
Additionally acceleration was also increased, particularly when the gust arrives as the nose stays down and the hyper speed feeling takes over!
The new range of WCSL boards are the masterpieces of Novenove, whereby they try to bring the racing car F1 look into our sport with boards that are simply more technically advanced”
| Type / Construction / Volume | Length (cm) | Width (cm) | Weight (kg +/- 7%) |
Fin(s) Included |
Fin Box / Others accessories included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Cup SL 89L | 235 | 61 | 5.9 | No Fin | 1x Tuttle Box / 4x footstraps |
| World Cup SL 99L | 235 | 63 | 6.1 | No Fin | 1x Tuttle Box / 4x footstraps |
| World Cup SL 109L | 235 | 70 | 6.3 | No Fin | 1x Tuttle Box / 4x footstraps |
| World Cup SL 119L | 235 | 72 | 6.6 | No Fin | 1x Tuttle Box / 4x footstraps |
| World Cup SL 129L | 229 | 83 | 7.2 | No Fin | 1x Deep Tuttle Box(Foil Ready) / 4x footstraps |
| World Cup SL 139L | 229 | 85 | 7.5 | No Fin | 1x Deep Tuttle Box(Foil Ready) / 4x footstraps |
- High-precision 5-axis CAD/CAM CNC shape.
- ‘Optimised reinforcements’: no short-cuts, much less cheap glass fiber than our competitors inside and outside the PVC sandwich. All key reinforcements throughout the board are carbon, the entire standing area underneath the deck PVC is biax carbon, and the result is a range
- of slalom boards that are lighter and stronger than 2018!
- 80 kg/m3 PVC full deck and bottom sandwich for a lightweight yet stiff construction.
- Full UD unidirectional carbon bottom layup for maximum stiffness and performance.
- ‘V Star Tail’ n plate release system: Behind the fin is the most critical location to gain or lose performance in modern slalom boards. With our new V Star Tail a new level of understanding has been achieved to create what the team believes is a game changer in terms of the potential to reach massive top speeds and insane acceleration!
- ‘World Cup Vector Cuts’ : It is no secret that the key performance criterium for the modern slalom boards lays mostly in the relationship between the cut- outs design and the scoop rockerline/bottom shape. How a designer combines these three parameters, unlocks the ultimate performance gains available at the World Cup PWA level. Aside from the V Star Tail upgrade, the new cutouts compared to 2017 are re-designed particularly in the ‘fin plate zone’ next to the fin, which has been significantly reduced on all models, and also to the ‘curved wings outside cutout zone’, which has also been made narrower on selected models.
- ‘Foil Proof’ n box (129 & 139 only) : Our exclusive layup foil box is as strong as it gets whilst still being lightweight. You can feel confident to put any foil in any wind into our 129 or 139 WCSL boards.
- Re-designed scoop-rocker lines and vee planforms in all sizes that have increased the top speed, usable power and reactivity of all WCSL models