It is indeed 8.5 battens.
Rigging is a no-brainer, the only difference is to set the final boom length
after fitting it on the mast ;)
Not used to such a short boom on that size sail but it seems to work. No backhand pressure, only forward pull.
Compared to the Racingblade it is slightly stiffer (maybe also due to the sail stretching for the first outing, so DH setting may have been off somehow). Once locked in on a downwind run, you only have to worry about board trim and where the next gust is, the sail feel super light and just accelerates wanting more wind.
First time on the Speedbalde, PB for the spot:
gpsteamchallenge.com.au/sailor_session/show?date=2017-10-18&team=33