A method of manufacturing a rotor blade segment of a wind turbine , the rotor blade segment having a seamless leading edge surface , the method comprising: providing a generally flat fiber-reinforced outer skin , the generally flat fiber-reinforced outer skin defining a continuous outer surface comprising a pressure side surface extending between a pressure side aft edge and a pressure side forward edge , a suction side surface extending between a suction side forward edge and a suction side aft edge , and the seamless leading edge surface extending between the pressure side forward edge and the suction side forward edge ; forming the fiber-reinforced outer skin into a desired shape corresponding to a contour of the outer surface of the rotor blade ; and, folding the fiber-reinforced outer skin about the seamless leading edge surface , whereby the pressure side surface is positioned opposite the suction side surface and the pressure side aft edge is proximate the suction side aft edge ; characterized in that the pressure side aft edge and the suction side aft edge are spaced apart such that a gap (G) is defined between the pressure side aft edge and the suction side aft edge after folding the fiber-reinforced outer skin , and in that the method further comprising: moving the pressure side surface and the suction side surface farther apart such that the gap (G) expands, mounting the fiber-reinforced outer skin over a structural element of the rotor blade while the gap (G) is expanded, and joining the pressure side aft edge and the suction side aft edge after mounting the fiber-reinforced outer skin over the structural element . providing a generally flat fiber-reinforced outer skin , the generally flat fiber-reinforced outer skin defining a continuous outer surface comprising a pressure side surface extending between a pressure side aft edge and a pressure side forward edge , a suction side surface extending between a suction side forward edge and a suction side aft edge , and the seamless leading edge surface extending between the pressure side forward edge and the suction side forward edge ; forming the fiber-reinforced outer skin into a desired shape corresponding to a contour of the outer surface of the rotor blade ; and, folding the fiber-reinforced outer skin about the seamless leading edge surface , whereby the pressure side surface is positioned opposite the suction side surface and the pressure side aft edge is proximate the suction side aft edge ; characterized in that the pressure side aft edge and the suction side aft edge are spaced apart such that a gap (G) is defined between the pressure side aft edge and the suction side aft edge after folding the fiber-reinforced outer skin , and in that the method further comprising: moving the pressure side surface and the suction side surface farther apart such that the gap (G) expands, mounting the fiber-reinforced outer skin over a structural element of the rotor blade while the gap (G) is expanded, and joining the pressure side aft edge and the suction side aft edge after mounting the fiber-reinforced outer skin over the structural element . moving the pressure side surface and the suction side surface farther apart such that the gap (G) expands, mounting the fiber-reinforced outer skin over a structural element of the rotor blade while the gap (G) is expanded, and joining the pressure side aft edge and the suction side aft edge after mounting the fiber-reinforced outer skin over the structural element . <EOS>