The kite shapes are still improving, with the new wide and flat kites you can go upwind quite well and are
very good at depowering so you can sail a single kite in a wide range of conditions.
Its also the board that makes a big difference, this is one the boards that goes upwind really well:
http://www.sbckiteboard.com/editors_choice?news_id=595&uniqid=406 
