Mistral Joker RD 2008

As you’re probably gathering there has been a lot of change at Mistral with a new Team, a new image and a new line of high performance boards (Red Dot Division), so no surprise that the 2008 Joker has also changed to suit their new star rider and 2007 PWA Freestyle Champion, Marcilio Browne (left). But will it suit you? We asked Milos Milosevic, who is a locally sponsored Mistral sailor, whether this board can help us mere mortals as well.

Name:	Milos Milosevic
Lives:	Ljubljana, Slovenia and Vienna, Austria
Sail mostly:	Slovenian coast and lakes, Croatian coast, Lake Neusiedl, Lake Balaton
Occupation:	Student (PhD)

Over to you Milos...

The 2008 Joker was developed by chief tester Nik Baker and the new freestyle world champ Marcilio Browne with some input from the Mistral team. There are some significant changes compared to the 2007 model starting with the dome deck that improves performance, comfort and stiffness. Also new is the smoother spock tail for improved planning performance. The fin is G10 material and new pads are in style with the M-dot logo. This year Mistral changed the graphics as well combined with the very popular unfinished look.

Joker 104

This may be new school freestyle board but it also has good carving ability. I use it more in light to medium winds with sail sizes from 5.9 to 4.7. I prefer the new dome deck that makes sailing way more comfortable especially in choppy water. The board feels looser, is faster and accelerates better then the 2007 model.

Joker 92

The small Joker 92 is new in for 2008 and it is my favorite board at the moment. I use it for high-wind freestyle with sail sizes from 4.7 to 3.7 but you can easy use sizes up to 5.4. However, I scored down-the-line conditions with waves up to 1.5m and light winds the other day (which is super rare where I live) and was impressed how tight the board turns. I like the new spock tail which results in early planing and it also stays planing in lulls. The outline is perfect for new school moves and jumping as the board is compact and slides super smooth through the manoeuvre.

I would recommend this board to dedicated freestyle sailors but also sailors who want to start freestyle as it is very easy to learn on it being super stable.