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Mistral Competition
Mistral Competition
It can be hard to trace the evolution of the Mistral Competition. This is because back in 1984 there were several boards called the Competition (Superlight) and the Competition (Club).
But the 1986 Competition TCS that this page is focussed on was a bit different. It has a unique tiered hull and 8 footstraps (something the '84 Competitions didn't have) In fact by 1985 the Competition Club and Superlight had been removed from the product range, replaced by the Bermuda.
In 1986 things got a bit complicated. There were 3 similar boards. The Competition, Competition SST and the Equipe. The Competition SST was similar to the Competition (that this page is focussed on) but was much lighter (15kg vs 17.5). Other than the weight and graphics (orange vs blue) , the design was very similar. The Equip however represented a different approach. Think of it like a supersized Malibu.
The 1986 Mistral Competition was designed as a flexible board, tough and able to be used to teach the family to windsurf or to be used in club racing.
Of all the boards I own, this one probably gets the most use...Why....because it is the one board that is still fun to sail in 5 knots thru to 15 knots. As much as I love the TakeOff etc, they are not as much fun when the wind is light or has big gusty holes.
The original 1986 board specs were :
Weight 17.5 kg
Volume 230 lt
Dimensions 372 cm
Construction TCS-fiberglass (The SST was SST-Epoxy)
In 1987 there had only been minor changes to dimensions and graphics
The 1987 board specs were :
Weight 17.5 kg
Volume 230 lt
Dimensions 372cm
Construction TCS-fiberglass (The SST was SST-Epoxy
By 1990 The Competition name had been removed completely from the Mistral catalog and now there was just the Mistral One Design. Like the Malibu, it had evolved.
The 1990 board specs were :
Weight 15.5 kg
Volume 235 lt
Dimensions 372 cm Length 63.4 cm width
Construction Polycoren/ABS
Today there are dedicated fans for all of these legenday longboards. There are those that love the original Competition Club (much like the original windsurfer or today windsurfer LT), There are those that love the Superlight, The Competition and Competition SST and then the fans of the Equip and One Design.
At the end of the day, regardless of which specific board you own or like, they all represent a period in windsurfing when the long board dominated.
1986 Mistral Competition
1986 Mistral Competition
Mistral Competition (1986) photographed at Blairgowrie Beach, Victoria, Australia in February 2025 teamed up with a 90's KA KAOS sail.
1986 Mistral Competition
1986 Mistral Competition
Mistral Competition (1986) sporting new custom footstraps.
1986 Mistral Competition
1986 Mistral Competition
Mistral Competition (1986) photographed post restoration 2024 at Blairgowrie Beach , Vicotria, Australia with a Neil Pryde Mark Angulo RAF Wave 5.7 (1988)
1986 Mistral Competition
1986 Mistral Competition
Mistral Competition (1986) photographed post restoration 2024 at Blairgowrie Beach , Vicotria, Australia with a Neil Pryde Mark Angulo RAF Wave 5.7 (1988)
Pre / Post Restoration Pictures of the 1986 Mistral Competition
1986 Mistral Competiton (pre restoration)
1986 Mistral Competiton (pre restoration)
Mistral Competition (1986) photographed during restoration in 2023
1986 Mistral Competition (pre restoration)
1986 Mistral Competition (pre restoration)
Mistral Competition (1986) photographed during restoration in 2023
1986 Mistral Competition (pre restoration)
1986 Mistral Competition (pre restoration)
Mistral Competition (1986) photographed during restoration in 2023
1986 Mistral Competition (part restoration)
1986 Mistral Competition (part restoration)
Mistral Competition (1986) photographed during restoration in 2023
1986 Mistral Competition (part restoration)
1986 Mistral Competition (part restoration)
Mistral Competition (1986) photographed during restoration in 202
1986 Mistral Competition (part restoration)
1986 Mistral Competition (part restoration)
Mistral Competition (1986) photographed during restoration in 2023 - New nose rubber had to be sourced from Netherlands !
1986 Mistral Competition (almost restored)
1986 Mistral Competition (almost restored)
Mistral Competition (1986) photographed during restoration in 2023 - Nose rubber not glued in place yet
1986 Mistral Competition (post restoration)
1986 Mistral Competition (post restoration)
Mistral Competition (1986) photographed during restoration in 2023 - Nose rubber not glued in place yet
1986 Mistral Competition (restored)
1986 Mistral Competition (restored)
Mistral Competition (1986) photographed during restoration in 2023 - new custom footstraps complete the look
AUTHORS COMMENTS : The 1986 Mistral Competition is just a great board. Relatively light weight for a long board, in 10 knots of wind she will get up and plane and you can have a ball. Some of my fastest run times have been on this board, but boy when it gets going you feel like you are on a train!!!!. And...when the wind drops out ... no problems with this much volume (and a Centreboard) you can drift home at your liesure.
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