The Italian manufacturer I-99 has several Wingfoil models in its programme, with the test model Winger Ride claiming to be an all-rounder for a large target group.
On land:
The I-99 Winger Ride is available in two sizes with a volume of 75 and 95 litres. The strikingly designed bow is intended to be less susceptible to wind, and shaper Cesare Cantagalli has given the board very voluminous edges, especially in the tail area. Cutouts and hard tear-off edges in the tail should guarantee a clean water release and prevent the board from getting stuck in the planing phase. Special lightweight straps have been fitted to the deck, which are mounted in a fixed size. It is therefore not possible to adjust the size quickly and with large feet (> size 45) and shoes you are already at the end of the adjustment range. On the other hand, you save a few hundred grams of weight compared to standard straps. Speaking of weight: at 6.49 kilos, the I-99 Winger Ride is pleasingly light for a board of this size. One small drawback is the position of the box, which is relatively far back. Even high-aspect foils with rather long fuselages (e.g. RRD Dynamic Alu, Axis HPS 980) were mounted at the front of the box during testing. However, if the front wing of foils sits directly in front of the mast due to a short fuselage (as is the case with some foils from Naish and AK Durable Supply, for example), they can no longer be ideally positioned in the board. Apart from the rather small carrying handle, the other features are fully convincing, especially the construction with large areas of visible fabric makes a high-quality impression.
Once again, we present this board in a clip on the WING YouTube channel before.
On the water:
With its voluminous rails and wide tail, the Winger Ride is extremely stable in the water and even less experienced wingers can concentrate on a clean start without too much wobbling. The I-99 board then also gets off to a quick start, as it gets up to speed very well. Pumping turns are converted 1:1 into speed, the hard trailing edges in the tail area do not cause any noticeable drag - all in all, the performance of the board in light winds is above average, especially if you do not yet have the perfect pumping technique and are more passive on deck. The straps are soft and comfortable and the pad also provides good contact with the board.
The shape easily forgives unintentional set-offs on the straight, while the bevelled edges at the front send you gently back into the air. The shape of the deck also proved to be extremely comfortable in the test, with the flat deck offering plenty of space for changing feet in manoeuvres. As soon as you want to jump or trick with the board, you benefit from the comparatively low weight of the board - despite 95 litres and a voluminous tail, initial rotations such as 360s are easily possible.
I-99 Winger Ride 95 - the conclusion:
The I-99 Winger Ride 95 is an extremely planing and lightweight board that impresses wingsurf beginners, freeriders and racers alike. The board is ideal for fast high-aspect foils with a longer fuselage and a front wing that sits further forward. Its usability is limited in combination with foils whose front wing sits directly on the foil mast and therefore further back.
Light wind performance; weight
Small carrying handle; position of the box
Loops unsuitable for large feet (>45 + shoes)
