Leveling the Playing Field
As wingfoil racing matures, the disparity in equipment has made it difficult to judge pure athletic skill. Starboard’s X-15 Class addresses this by standardizing the equipment for the 2026 racing circuit.
The class mandates a specific 15 square meter wing (often a combination of sizes up to this limit) and a 90L board design. This standardization ensures that speed differences between competitors are consistent within 10%, placing the focus on tactics rather than budget.
Technical Specs
The equipment is built to handle the rigors of a World Sailing backed circuit. The foils are integrated with iQFOiL technology capable of handling 25-knot bursts.
The carbon masts specified for the class have 5% less flex than consumer freeride masts, providing the rigidity needed for 60 to 85 kg athletes to push hard upwind without the foil ventilating. The standard foil package includes a Starboard V8 100 cm aluminum mast, MKII jumbo 69 cm fuselage, and an MF 820 cm² C400 carbon front wing.
Board Models by Category
The X-15 Class features purpose-built boards for different racing categories. The X-15 Class 95 (95L) is designed for Senior Men, while the X-15 Class 82 (82L) serves Senior Women and U13/15/17/19 categories. Boards come in Blue Carbon Sandwich (lightest, strongest) or Lite Tech construction (lightweight, affordable, with Australian pine in the standing area for added durability in younger age groups).
All boards incorporate a recessed standing area that places the rider 2 cm closer to the foil connection, improving precise control over the foil's pitch and roll.
Wing Specifications
Wings are sized by category: U13 uses 4.5 m², U15 uses 5.0 m², U17 uses 5.5 m², U19 and Senior Ladies use 6.0 m², and Senior Men use 6.5 m². Each wing features a zip-off section that reduces the wing size by 1 m², allowing racers to use a single wing across a broader wind range.
Racing Impact
Early events using this format have resulted in 20% tighter racing packs. While this limits the ability of riders to customize their gear, it fosters a more competitive global circuit accessible to youth racers.
Sources & Further Reading
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