About twenty-five years ago, two new sport kites hit the market—kites that would leave their mark on the sport. These were two kites that, in a way, redefined sport kite flying and took it several steps forward.
We’re, of course, talking about the GEMINI from the UK-based Benson Kites and the ELIXIR from the US-based Prism Kites!
Two classic kites, tailored for the advanced freestyle pilot, with every trick in that famous book within reach!
As it happened, the sportkite world kind of split in two. You were either flying a Gemini or an Elixir and if I remember correctly, there were even some “frictions” between the groups.
Because, while the kites shared many of the same qualities, they were also different in many ways, so it’s no wonder the kite world was divided in two. One group found themselves more at home with the Gemini, while the other embraced the Elixir.
I can understand both groups. Both kites had their characteristics that you could quickly either like – or, in a way – dislike. For me, the Gemini suited me best. I’m not entirely sure why, but it likely matched my flying style better than the Elixir. (It’s also worth mentioning that I got hold of a Gemini much earlier than the Elixir, giving the Gem a significant head start.)
Regardless, these two kites—released around 25 years ago—have left a definitive mark on the kite scene, which leads to the big question:
After 25 years, can they still deliver?
This was the exact question I wanted to answer when I arrived at Tronvik Beach yesterday morning. The sun was shining from a clear, blue sky, the wind was coming in from the water, and a Gemini and an Elixir were lying in the backseat of my car. I was ready for the Battle of the Titans!
The evening before, I had assembled the kites to check that everything was in place. It wasn’t, but the problems were easy to fix. So now, all that was left was to put the kites together again and get them in the air!
Soon everything was ready. Both kites lay face down on the dew-covered grass, waiting to fly.
The Gemini was the first one up, and immediately, memories of past years of Gemini flying came flooding back. Delightful!
But… wasn’t the wind a bit too strong for serious freestyle flying? Hmm… It was supposed to drop, according to the weather report. It didn’t feel like it, though.
Well, I switched to the Elixir but… no. The wind strength was definitely increasing. The Elixir was darting back and forth up there, and at that moment, it became clear that the epic Battle of the Titans wasn’t going to be a success.
I brought out a wind meter and found the wind speed was up to 8 meters per second. Too much wind to justify such a battle. Too many things would be left to chance. Doing a back-to-back test of two kites under these wind conditions wouldn’t give an accurate picture of where things stand.
No, I’ll have to wait for better conditions to make a fair comparison. Bummer!
But don’t worry! I haven’t given up! The kites are ready and waiting for better and more fair conditions, and THEN comes the ultimate challenge. Do they still deliver as well as they did 25 years ago?
Stay tuned for the continuation!
