Description
The NORTH Mode Ultra is a fast and direct high-performance race wing powered by N-Xi, a new ultra-stiff, ultra-high-modulus composite canopy material by North Sails Advanced Textiles.
North understand the racer’s relentless quest for speed and the pursuit of “the fastest.” They also recognize that high-intensity, high-speed wingfoiling requires more than technical prowess and fearlessness.
The rider and gear must process speed and acceleration in fractions of a second. Anticipate the actions of fellow riders, the wind, and the water, trust their skills, and make quick decisions. When you are foiling at speeds in excess of 55km/h confidence is crucial.
North engineers have fine-tuned the Mode Ultra to match a racer’s instinct and intellect. The stability and the structure of the N-Weave45 Airframe with anti-deflection Carbon UDi Tapes and N-Xi canopy are critical for resisting deformation. The stiffness translates into an extremely responsive, direct feel and unrivalled control at speed.
The Mode Ultra is VMG-optimized for sailing closer to the wind on higher upwind angles. Its higher aspect ratio design, thin, low-drag profile and flatter dihedral generate forward thrust, lift and stability at a higher apparent wind speed, while its stiff airframe and canopy combination enhances the low-end performance to carry your speed through the lulls. North have optimised the design to enable you to upsize your wing and ride in the upper range, with confidence that the wing can depower efficiently when required, yet maintain the sail area needed to go downwind when the apparent wind speed drops.
The Mode Ultra. Unbelievably powerful. Impossibly Fast.
Features
- Thin low drag profile to generate forward thrust
- Detachable aerodynamic depower handle
- Efficient high aspect ratio design relative to wing size
- 3.5m reduced AR adds stability in the highest wind speeds
- 6.5 reduced wingspan prevents tip strike
- VMG-optimised design to pinch higher and reach deeper
- Rigid and direct to feel every micro-gust
- Glide through lulls with ease
- Designed for use with a Wing Harness
Materials
- Ultra stiff and durable N-Xi Canopy with impressive shape-hold
- N-Weave45 Airframe for lightweight torsional stiffness
- Anti-deflection Carbon UDi Technology for global LE stiffness
- Carbon GripLock Handles for lightweight and direct control
Item Includes: Wing, Carbon Wing Handles, Wrist Wing Leash, Bag, Compression Strap, Repair Kit
Technology
Powered by N-Xi
The high-performance canopy material is engineered from two 66% recycled laminate films, sandwiched around UHMWPE fibres laid in the 0 direction and +/- 60-degree direction, making it ultra-stiff in three directions. North have orientated the Mode Ultra’s panel layouts to take advantage of these fiber directions.
N-Weave45 Airframe
The cross-ply reinforced N-Weave 45 airframe creates a stiffer, lighter rig that holds its shape when under load and has a highly efficient power delivery. The biaxial 45-degree laminate helps to control the torsional stiffness of the airframe. North developed N-Weave, a low-elongation, high tensile strength woven fibre, to help reduce geometric compromise in our inflated structures. N-Weave45 reduces structural deflection and transfers wind energy into greater forward speed. The weight savings translate into greater performance and more efficient power delivery in light air and make the wing easier to handle in all conditions. N-Weave also has very high cut and abrasion resistance. The UPE fibres that makeup N-Weave are known for their resistance to water, moisture, most chemicals, UV and microorganisms. UPE is also known for its durability and toughness. N-Weave 45 Airframe
Carbon UDi Technology
North Sails is renowned for using this technology in their podium-proven 3Di race sails. We’ve implemented the same material inside the entire Leading Edge, from tip to tip, to stiffen the Mode Ultra’s airframe further.
Rigid and direct – feel every micro-gust
The stability and the structure of the wing are critical for resisting deformation. The stiffness translates into a very direct feel in your hands and is extremely responsive. You can feel and maximise every micro-gust. When you’re riding powered-up we recommend using the Mode Ultra with a harness to reduce arm fatigue. The stiffer frame requires more strength to hold onto the wing in overpowered conditions. The Wing Harness Loop is sold separately.
Efficient high aspect ratio design relative to wing size
The 4.2m has the highest aspect ratio, and the ratio lowers with each size until you get to the 6’5, where the wingspan is further reduced to prevent tip drag. The expense of a high aspect ratio is a loss in stability, so we’ve also reduced the aspect ratio on the smallest 3.5m wing to give more stability at the highest true wind speeds, making it more comfortable to ride in gusty conditions.
VMG-optimised design. Pinch higher, reach deeper
The Mode Ultra’s fast, VMG-optimized design enables you to sail closer to the wind, on higher upwind angles, reducing your need to tack or gybe, so you reach the mark as quickly as possible.
Thin, low drag sections to generate speed and forward thrust
They’ve engineered the Mode Ultra with very thin profile sections for low drag, this increases its potential for high speed at high apparent wind speeds. The faster you go, the steadier it becomes.
Excels at the top of its range
They’ve designed this wing so riders can confidently upsize, giving you the surface area required to go fast downwind when the apparent wind speed drops. Getting a flat wing going in light air can be challenging, but once you’ve mastered the pump skills required to get up on foil, the faster you can go. They’ve tuned the larger 6.5m with more profile depth for extra bottom-end performance.
Carries speed through the lulls
The Mode Ultra’s stiff airframe and canopy combination enhances its light wind performance. It holds power through the lulls without dropping board speed.
Ergonomic strut shape and handle positioning for greater rider comfort
The strut’s shape is ergonomically designed to push the nose of the canopy away from the rider. The further the canopy’s lifting surface is from the handle, the less wrist movement is required to maintain the wing’s attitude.
Detachable aerodynamic tow handle
Lightweight and minimalist handle optimised for low drag. The depower handle can be removed for additional drag reduction.
