Pretty impressive how early a just 2,5 m² Firefly can start especially on a 110 x 40 cm Foilboard:
I had to drag myself out of a lee which is something a Firefly can do very well, but then had to see if it will be enough wind outside.
I already decided to go back as just not able to reach the high wind area 500 m upwind via bodydrag but then did a final try and with a bit of a gust and maybe in around 14 knts and the help of 9 ! loops I managed to get out. Then upwind was a bit of a pain as small room not more than about 12 knts and impossible to switch foot, so working myself upwind meter by meter till I reached the area of higher (about 17 knts) winds. The other guys have been on 15 m² tubes and foilkites on foils and twintips
. Later I also switched to one of the 15 m² means using a factor 6 inbetween kite sizes in the same wind
. Now as knowing lowend hope to once find the topend but it will be very high for sure, from the last day experience in up to about 28 knts gust I would expect also gust till 40 knts will be ok on a foilboard. But it will become incredibly fast as it is already in 14 knts, hope to find the time for the first little video that anybody can see this.
Oh and again tried several relaunches down to maybe 10 knts: All no problem, turn the bar and it will flip over and restart as never have been in the drink. Very important point for me, had a 5 m² very nice tube for that windrange years ago, but it was just impossible to relaunch for me even in winds where I already would have been able to ride it well.