2024 North Mode Ultra – High Performance Wing

North Mode ULTRA Wing

The 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.

At North, we understand the racer’s relentless quest for speed and the pursuit of the fastest.? We 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.

Our 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. We’ve 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.

We love racing because it teaches and entices us to flirt with danger, push our limits mentally and physically, and achieve what people never thought was possible. The Mode Ultra. Unbelievably powerful. Impossibly Fast.

Sizes:

• 3.5m | 4.2m | 4.8m | 5.5m | 6.5m

At a glance:

• 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

Detailed Features:

• 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. We?ve orientated the Mode Ultra’s panel layouts to take advantage of these fiber directions. **HANDLE WITH CARE** N-Xi is a performance race wing material which requires more careful handling than a ripstop canopy. While North recommends storing all of our wing canopies by rolling and folding, the Mode Ultra has a specially designed bag to accommodate the rolled wing. No folding of the N-Xi canopy is required.
• 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.
• 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 6.5m, 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.
• Excels at the top of its range – We’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. We’ve tuned the larger 6.5m with more profile depth for extra bottom-end performance.

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

Includes:

• Wing, Carbon Wing Handles, Wrist Wing Leash, Bag, Compression Strap, Repair Kit

North Item: 85014.240020