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The UP XD70 - the next step in the performance race
The Edge, UP's comp fligship glider, was introduced for the 2008 season. With development going faster than ever, this design, although still a pleasure to fly, has in some ways been overtaken by the competitors.
With the XD70 model we're making available, for selected pilots, the fruits of our latest R&D labours in the Open Class. As the name implies this is not to be considered a full-fledged serial production wing, but the performance is there and the wing is nice to fly.
Many loyal UP Edge pilots have been asking for a replacement for their Edges, with the same landmark handling but with better glider and more speed - this is their wing.
A top speed of 70km/h, reachable on the 2. step even with my* short legs, makes this wing into something special. The aspect ratio of 8.0 (flat) will be sure to turn some heads, but the wing remains surprisingly agile and doesn't throw you out of the bank at first opportunity like some high AR designs do. It carves real nice, and gives lots of "Open Class feedback" down through the lines so you can keep it in check.
With only 2 lines/riser on 3 risers/side there is almost disturbingly little line to look at while flying, all to the benefit of glide performance at speed.
With less curvature to the design the flat area of the wing could be reduced somewhat (see tech spec table below) so the wing feels more loaded than you're used to coming from an Edge, but this translates into more dynamic handling and better turn coordination, and since the climbing is still excellent there's really no reason to lament this new development :-)
We're making the XD70 available on order, with expected delivery times around 6 weeks, in the UP 2010 standard colour combinations (see below). You may also design your very own colour combination compiled from the UP standard colours (see the Colour Chooser tool on the UP website) at an 8% surcharge. There are 4 sizes to choose from, with their weight ranges slightly updated since Edge times so make sure you check it out.
If you want one, or you know a pilot who does, get in touch with me* via email and we'll discuss if this is the right wing for the job at hand!
*) "me" and "my" refers to Mads S as you may have guessed | 
