KITE SELECTION FOR BUGGY RACING

There is always one kite that will win on any given day.  As yet there is
no kite that is sufficiently broad winded to be all conquering in a range
of conditions, (but we haven't yet raced seriously with the new reefing
Peels).  The reason for this is that unlike some classes of yacht racing,
bigger sails don't necessarily give better performance.  If your kite is
too small obviously a buggy with a more powerful kite will have the
advantage.  If you choose a kite that is too large then sideslipping will
so effect, especially upwind, performance that a smaller kite will easily
beat you.  There is a very narrow window, in fact on some gusty days a
given kite can be too big and too small all during one race!  To ram home
the effect of kite selection we have found that even when using
apparently identical 5m Peel kites taken straight from stock one kite
will win every race almost irrespective of who uses it.  Buggy racing with
widely dissimilar kites is not much fun for participants or spectators.