The Ultra Team V2 10m has gotten the most millage of any of Reider's kites this past year. Main reason is the Ultra Team V2 has improved depower & drift ability, making it an even better wave and all around kite then the previous Ultra Team. This is saying a lot as the previous Ultra Team is still an amazing kite.
Here are some main take aways found from the Ultra Team V2:
- Smoother Power/Depower Response
- Despite having a fully fixed bridle, the depower/power still feels incredible smooth so much so we double check that it was a fully fixed bridle.
- Improved Drifting
- We spent a lot of time flying the Ultra Team 10m V1 and now v2 in around 16 mph in the waves. If you are looking to get the most low end out of a kite while having wave riding ability and range, this is it. Reider is 200lb + and the 10m Ultra Team V2 is the biggest kite he uses. It covers him from mid teens to mid 20s. Micheal weighs 160lb and uses the 8m for a similar wind range. The drift on this Ultra Team is better then the previous version due to its lower aspect ratio.
- Improved Hang Time
- The Ultra Team V2 being lower aspect then its previous version gives it better jumping and float. The kite stays in the wind window a bit more predictable, making it a better jumping, all around kite.
- Upwind Ability
- In making the Ultra Team V2 lower aspect it has a slightly worst upwind ability then the Ultra Team V1. This was the sacrifice in making the kite so much better all around. As someone who used them a lot I think the slight loss in upwind ability is well worth the gain in depower, turning, drift and float, especially considering it STILL goes upwind well.
- Construction
- The Ultra Team V2 is the same construction as the Ultra Team V1. They both utilize the same lighter, stronger Hookipa material on the LE which allows the kite to be inflated to a higher PSI but still be repaired just as a normal Dacron LE. The LE material has more weaves then standard Dacron. It is almost impossible to tear by hand a 4 x 4 inch piece of Hookipa that was cut in half ( we tried). It also has the Load Frame Cross Stitching on the canopy. This keeps the kite from bagging out as quickly and is really helpful in keeping the canopy stiff on a 1 strut kite.
Comparing this to Duotone SLS kites that were currently on the market, the Hookipa material is similar in weight but stronger with more weaves. One of the main reasons the Duotone SLS kites are lighter when assembled compared to a Airush Hookipa kite is Duotone uses extra light weight bladders. These extra light weight bladders account for the majority of weight differences between these kites. After testing these extra lightweight bladders Airush did not feel confident the weight loss was worth them being less durable and having a higher failure rate. This lead them to keep the same bladders in the Hookipa kites as in the rest of their line.