Ken, Damien, have you guys considered Ocean Rodeo Mako 150 board (or a board with similar crazy 50mm concave) for downwind races?
I talked to a winner of recent Arabatka Kite Marathon, 100 km (60 mi) downwind race along western shore of Sea of Azov (Ukraine).
Some info on the race (in Russian, but the map is quite clear)
http://kitesurfing.com.ua/modules.ph...ewtopic&t=1668
He won the race on the
Mako Freeride 150 shortcutting his route with a straight line thru crazy chop.
[All others, on race boards and regular twintips, were going along the curved coast.]
He swears by this board (fast, cuts thru the chop like a cadillac, etc. etc.)
Again, I'm talking about "downwind only" racing (and not promoting OR in any way).
Just wanted to hear your impressions on the board...