Nicolas Caillou, F-ONE’s Power Wing designer, breaks down everything new on the Frigate V2 — a simplified Double Dynamic Bridle, a fully reworked shape with a higher aspect ratio, big stowing improvements, and a wind range wide enough that the rider, not the wing, is now the limiting factor. Rider Billy also shares his first impressions on the water.
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro: Nicolas Caillou, F-ONE Power Wing designer, at AWSI
0:05 The Frigate V2 has just launched
0:11 What changed in the new design, and the goals behind it
0:17 The target: improve on every aspect of the Frigate V1
0:26 Lessons learned from the Quest, F-ONE’s beginner-friendly power wing
0:37 New bridle system: the Double Dynamic Bridle
0:44 Simplifying from three connection points down to fewer
1:05 Just a front line and back line — nothing extra near the canopy
1:14 Philosophy: fewer lines means less tangling and easier stowing
1:25 A feature first introduced on the Quest, now applied to the Frigate 2
1:37 Prototyping revealed the shape needed a full architectural refinement
1:47 Increased aspect ratio and cell count for an easier, faster wing
2:00 The goal was to optimize everything, not just one property
2:13 A hugely improved total wind range compared to the V1
2:23 Two ways to drive a power wing: sheeting vs edging the board
2:40 The Quest: designed to depower only by sheeting — great for beginners
2:58 The advanced technique: controlling power by edging, like a kite foil
3:13 The Frigate does both — sheeting and edging depower
3:21 Why you need both: a wider wind range needs more depower to get up
3:39 Maximum upwind and top-end performance needs edging, like a hydrofoil
3:56 Feels even closer to that kite foil feeling than the V1
4:02 Harness line moves further back for more leaning ability
4:17 Also reduced the bridle length for better stowing
4:30 Line length reduced — 15cm shorter on the 4m, for example
4:37 Around 140cm to collapse and store the wing
4:45 New “Pack Assist” lines — white, fully spliced, for easier stowing
5:01 Ready to stow into a concertina and clip onto your stash belt
5:10 Also improved light-wind capacity, especially the 5.5 and 6.5
5:19 New super-light fabric introduced on the trailing edge panel
5:38 Easier relaunching and more stability in super light wind
5:43 Improved pumping ability: more ribs (9 to 11) and higher aspect ratio
6:02 Sizes optimized by wind range — small for gusty winds, big for light wind
6:25 Question: who should ride the Quest vs the Frigate V2?
6:50 Beginners won’t feel much difference in speed between the two
7:06 The Frigate targets the same rider as the Quest, just faster
7:22 Beginners just sheet in and out — the Quest suits them best
7:31 Experienced kite foilers will get the most from the Frigate
7:47 Stowing ability is close — just 5cm difference in bridle length
8:10 Taking your time on the water? Go with the Quest
8:15 Want speed and to push your limits? Go with the Frigate
8:26 Last year the Frigate 1 was their most performant, but the wing was the limit
8:42 With the Frigate 2, the rider is now the limit, not the wing
8:57 Storing ability remains a key priority alongside performance
9:11 The Frigate is aimed at intermediate to expert riders
9:18 Edge more, and the Frigate V2 pulls you further forward
9:30 Wrap-up: thanks to Nicolas
9:33 Rider Billy’s impressions: speed, performance and bar comfort
9:40 Bar improvements: grab it anywhere, no back-stall or flying into reverse
9:51 The new stashing line is a dream
9:58 Pack away, carve, redeploy
10:02 Retains the freeride feel while adding top-end performance
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