Date:	Mon, 25 Jul 1994 19:59:29 -1000
From:	tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com (Bert Tanaka)
Message-Id: <9407260558.AA01408@mts-gw.pa.dec.com>
Organization: Division of Applied Sciences, Harvard University
Subject: Kite Info - New Freestyle Reactor Plus

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to run into Randy Joe, captain of
Team Tsunami, at Belmont Shores here in L.A.  He had with him, the first
production versions of the new and improved, Spectra Freestyle Reactor
Plus.  I am pretty familiar with the older version of the Freestyle Plus
and was interested in seeing how the two kites would compare.

DESCRIPTION
The Freestyle Plus is a ten foot kite.  It is designed for low winds.  The
upper range is probably around 10-11 mph.  The kite can take it, but my 
arms can't.  It pulls heavy at this wind speed.  The bottom end of the wind
range is probably around 2-3 mph.  It uses Icarex, and is framed with the
new Skyshark 5P's.  The basic shape of the sail is similar to the original,
but cut a little bit deeper to give it just a tad more sail. The
old Freestyle used a very simple sail pattern which was predominantly
vertical paneling strips.  The new Freestyle Plus uses a more complex,
and more attractive pattern which improves the sail's shape, and resistance
to stretching.  This kite employs a double standoff system per wing to shape
the sail.  Uses a winglet system to control turning.  Construction and 
materials are to competiton standard. 

CHARACTERISTICS
First of all, this kite responds well to adjustment so you can tune it
to a number of different settings and it will still fly well.  I flew it
adjusted moderately low.  This kite has such a nice stiff frame, its easy
to forget that its larger than a standard delta.  It snap turns and spins
without any frame warp and and responds with quickness and agility.  It
has good speed despite its deceptive size and smoothness. Another one
of this kite's strong suits is its stability.  Tracks straight in all
parts of the window and is also, very even speeded.  The day I flew it
winds were 4 to 10 mph.  Does an excellent push-pull turn and regains
the line immediately.  Team Tsunami uses several snap stalls, or snap stall
based moves in their routine and its no wonder.  The Freestyle does a
really, really good snap stall.  Number one, if you snap stall it with 
enough force, you can make the nose tip back.  I think that this is one
of the charcteristics that allows Tsunami to execute four snap stalls 
very close to the center of the window during their trap/thread move,
even in very strong wind conditions.  Number two, the Freestyle is stable
with slack lines.  In the stall, if you are a little sloppy with monitoring
line tension, and let your lines get loose, you will discover that
this kite is not tippy, and will maintain a nice nose up position for you
(at least, I discovered this early on, more because I was crummy than sloppy).
In their ballet, Raul Brieno fully exploits this uncanny stability with what
is essentially an edge to edge slide by sliding this kite over the tops
of the other five landed kites.  I pretty much have taught him everything
he knows.... (NOT, 8-] ).  Although its strength is its predictability 
in team and precison events, its agile enough to execute all maneuvers.
Team Tsunami uses this kite in their competition routine which includes
a team tip stab and landing, ground rolls, stall/trap/thread, stall/unwrap,
stall/shoot the five, full slide, and stall/burst. Raul Brieno competes
with this kite in individual events with routines that include tip stands,
nose touches, axels, nose launches, and ground turtles.

Compared to the original, the new Freestyle Plus still has that beautiful
tracking and great control.  Low wind performance is better and the stiffer 
frame has increased its surprising agility.  Although it is a low wind kite,
it is not fragile and can take the beating from ground work, and hard 
snapping maneuvers.  

Available from Sunshine Kites, (310) 372-0308 in L.A. or wherever Spectra
Kites are sold.

       -Bert










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