Kevin Pritchard Interview

kristin
2002-04-04 08:25:44 | 42 views | 1 Comments

For someone who doesn't sail a lot, what can they do to improve their Formula sailing?

A partner is the key for testing and getting everything up to speed. Also, you need to change one thing at a time. If you have a buddy, don't come in and both change things. Keep one guy steady and the other changing, otherwise they're just too many variables.

What's your best tip for staying in control when overpowered?

The key is moving you mast track forward and lengthening your harness lines.

Is your tip for sailing underpowered the opposite? Short lines and mast track back?

Yeah, a little bit. I definitely shorten my harness lines. But the base I only move a little back, but nothing too significant.

If someone is looking to get into Formula racing, which two sails could cover the broadest range of conditions in anywhere America?

Probably a 12.0 and 10.4.

What's your best tip for staying on a plane when underpowered?

Bear off a bit to keep your speed because the faster you go, the more apparent wind you have to stay planing.

Do you hang down on your boom a bit?

Actually, I feel like I'm hanging out and away from the boom to keep my feet light.

What's the most overlooked thing people miss when tuning Formula gear?

In the past it was definitely downhaul. But these days it seems with the pros, the instructors and everyone screaming downhaul, downhaul, downhaul the message is finally getting through. I think the specs on all the Formula's sails are generally right on. So I think it's more a question of having the right setup. The right mast is key.

When do you change a fin instead of the sail?

I don't change my fin. I just use a 70 in all the conditions for racing. Yesterday was 35 knots and it's too windy if I have to change the fin.

What happened yesterday after the upwind mark? You did a horizon job on the fleet all the way up there, but then Antoine reeled you in.

I don't know what happened. I was going really good upwind, but my off the wind speed was a little slow.

Were you hampered because you running such a big sail?

Yeah, and the wind just kept picking up and picking up. I was using a 10.4.

What's it like using a 10.4 in 35?

It wasn't fun that's for sure (laughs).

D you fall once?

No, but it was definitely sketchy.

Anything you want to say to people trying to get into Formula racing?

I think the fact that you can learn on Formula board and that they're easy to sail and that if you have any desire whatsoever about racing that you can enter races without getting another board, all these things make a Formula board a great option. Also they're great because you can go out in lighter winds and sail more often.

If you really want to get into the sport, get a Formula board because that way you'll be catching up to the board and it's not like you have to go buy another board as you get better.

I taught my girlfriend how to windsurf on it and it worked fine.

Did you put a smaller fin on it?

Yeah, but just because I didn't want her to ding it (laughs). And I put her on a wave sail too. And if she decides she wants to race, then she can just use that same board all the way to the top and I think that's pretty cool.

What about Formula sails? Do you think they're getting too specialized for Formula boards? It seems like now you're using a 10.0 in what two years ago took an 8.5.

Yeah, definitely. I mean, I think sails are getting too big, but you have to have sail area for racing. They're no fun to travel with. But the sails are pretty dang easy to sail.

This morning I was on a 10.4 and it was blowing 15. I was on the same 10.4 when it was blowing 30 yesterday. Sails have improved because you can use one sail through an incredibly broad wind range.

I think some people are scared of using a 10.4'

For sure. There was a time when a 7.0 was massive and you'd get on it and go straight downwind because it was inefficient and it didn't work. Now, we're on a 12.5 and they're relatively easy to sail. It's a bit of work and good exercise — your forearms definitely get stronger. But I think with a 10.4 you can go out on any fishpond in virtually any conditions and be planing.

In the last race there were some 4 knot holes where it was glassy and I was planing right through. No whitecaps, glass everywhere and I'm still planing. That's cool for the U.S. Planing is the fun part of the sport and now it's more accessible. Planing is when people get hooked, when they get that acceleration and glide, and now it's accessible to 98% of the beaches that get any wind whatsoever.

Do you think when the PWA returns, the Formula style gear will still be used?

Yep, it's pretty much changed the face of everything. A lot of people got scared off by the specialized equipment of the PWA. I think people were intimidated to get the equipment we were using and now what we're using is right in the stores.

Is it strange when you're out there and any Joe is on the same board as you?

Yeah, the playing field has been leveled, but kind of not too. At first all the pro guys were trying to push Formula down and not do it. But now it seems like most of the PWA guys are coming around.

At the first Formula event we all were pretty far back in the pack, but now the boys are the boys again.

What's it like travelling with this sized gear?

Stupid. I mean the boards are 100 cm wide and you arrive to the airport and they're freaking out. The sails are so long and heavy. For travelling it's almost as bad as the old days with the one-piece masts and the longboards.

After all the travelling you've done, do you have it wired at the check-in counter?

Yeah, we're always pretty calm about it.

Do you have any idea what's going to happen when you get to the counter?

No, it's always a roll of the dice. We paid 75 bucks a piece to get everything down here.

Each bag?

No, each of us paid 75 bucks total. Matt , Phil and myself for everything.

What airline was that?

American.

What do you think of this Bonaire contingent here?

This is the first I've seen of 'em. They're definitely good sailors. I've been to Margarita too and those kids down there rip. There even some local guys that don't have the money to get out and get seen, but they're pretty incredible.

I know there're kids out there that rip, but it's just a matter of them putting it all together in competition.

It's definitely good for the Bonaire guys to get out there with Matt. I think Matt was showing them how to put it all together in a heat. Sometimes you'll see kid do something sick every 30 minutes, but you gotta put it together in that five minutes and that's what wins a contest.

Did you want to get out there and get into the freestyle?

Yeah, the conditions were perfect. It looked pretty fun. I would have liked to go out there, but one thing at a time.

Kevin, I think that's plenty. Thanks.

No problem.

he playing field has been leveled, but kind of not too. At first all the pro guys were trying to push Formula down and not do it. But now it seems like most of the PWA guys are coming around.