NIVIUK Icepeak 8 : first impressions from 6 pilots
As many of you have to claim it, here is the English version of the articles already published in French about first impressions pilots for NIVIUK Icepeak 8.
Photo : Emma Casanova
Jeremie Lager at the take-off Taucho (Tenerife – Canary Island)
The new NIVIUK Icepeak 8 tested during the competition at Tenerife
Jean-Marc Caron recently won the Taucho Open 2014 with this wing, and tells us about the obvious choices of using nitinol (a special memory-form metal) for the ribbing. One is the added advantage of being much lighter; the other original innovation is the adjustable tension of the ribs in order to maintain maximum rigidity of the profile at all times.
Jean Marc Caron interviewed by Philippe Broers about the characteristics ot the wing NIVIUK Icepeak 8
A number of other pilots had the opportunity to fly the Icepeak 8 during this competition.
Jean Marc Caron
Photo : René HASLE
The IP8 is a high-performance paraglider at the very summit of its category, comfortable to fly due to its communicative and intelligent feedback.
Jérémie Lager
Photo : René HASLE
The Icepeak8 is clearly a competition wing, with its impressive aspect ratio and responsive feedback during flight.
“For the first time, the ABAC team was involved in the wing’s development. Following on from NIVIUK’s Icepeak7-Pro, NIVIUK decided to involve us in the development process of the competition wings by putting our hours of flying experience to the best use. After several prototypes, testing, comparative analysis and returns to the drawing board, Olivier Nef, the chief designer, came up with a concept that ticked all the boxes. The NIVIUK Icepeak8 is the high-performance wing, unparalleled in its class and comfortable to fly due to its communicative feedback. The design concept is remarkable; with the use of nitinol to keep the profile rigid, yet light, the wing remains constantly pressured. The IP8 is a great success.”
“I am really happy with the wing. The end result is more than satisfactory. There is a noticeable difference compared to the Iceapeak7-Pro. The Icepeak8 is lively, whilst manageable and accessible. The pilot needs little time to become accustomed due to the high degree of passive safety. Even if the wing requires an advanced level of piloting skills, the competition pilot will be more than happy with the balance of “performance-handling”. NIVIUK once more have managed to combine speed and safety with this new competition wing. The technology used for the design of the internal structure will enable pilots to feel the benefits of passive safety and good handling. The nitinol ribs have been engineered to allow lengthening and are also more resistant to climatic elements (heat, humidity…). I can’t wait for the World’s in January!
Lucas Bernadin
Photo : René HASLE
“As for the handling of the Icepeak8, I immediately felt comfortable and found it extraordinarily efficient in weak conditions (which are far from what I prefer).
Klaudia Bulgakow
Source : blog Team Abac
In my opinion take off and landing is super easy. The glider feels more rigid. Moving less than Icepeak 7 Pro (maybe because is bit smaller than my previous one?).
“The wing bites into the air, drawing you into the core of the thermal. It feels great, very responsive to what is happening inside the thermal. On glide, the wing is super smooth and the performance totally blew me away! The accelerator feels progressive but the wing accelerates really fast. It’s a little early to talk about top-speed but… no doubt you’ll be hearing about that soon. The risers have changed altogether, and active B-riser flying is very impressive.” source blog Team ABAC
“In my opinion take off and landing is super easy. The glider feels more rigid. Moving less than Icepeak 7 Pro (maybe because is bit smaller than my previous one?). Break pressure is very high. I need to get used to this. Climb easy. I got no chance to compare glide with others. I poosh first bar and it goes easy and I feel acceleration – feels fast!” source compte Facebook Klaudia Bulgakow
The NIVIUK Icepeak 8 at the take-off of Taucho (Tenerife – Canary Island)
Photo : Emma Casanova
Photo : Emma Casanova
Everyone is talking about it: The distinguishable nitinol rods, encased in the upper surface to tension the sail.
Photo : Emma Casanova
The crowd admires NIVIUK’s new Icepeak8.
Photo : Emma Casanova
The NIVIUK Icepeak 8 tested by Maxime Pinot (world champion)
Maxime Pinot
The wing is beautiful. There’s nothing more to add. It’s a high technology wing !
“Take off and landing are easy. But I’m more interesting in what is going on up there ! The wing is powerful, always carrying the pilot with it, attacking the air ! Huge sensation of glide, confirmed by my team mates, who had the opportunity to compare in Tenerife against the actual best gliders. It’s a flat turn, with a high efficiency. Turning with the IP8 is quite different from turning with the IP6 or IP7 Pro. It’s a flat turn, with a high efficiency. thanks to its great capacity to float in the air. Nice ! But the Niviuk touch is here : the wing seems to be really solid ! Looks like a hang-glider ! Modern structures don’t lose their shape anymore in turbulent air, and it’s truly efficient ! We can’t call our modern paragliders « pieces of rags » anymore. Easy to control with the B’s and… the IP8 is really fast! The wing is easy to control with the B’s. Everything is on two risers (A (and a little A’), and B). It’s true improvment compare to IP7 pro. And last but not least, and I would say the more stunning thing : speed ! The IP8 is really fast! Really the fastest wing I’ve flown since the end of the open class era… By far ! Effects of the CCC. And I’m quite light under the medium size…Promising for final glides or strong conditions… In one month, we’ll be in Colombia and it’s a good news!” Maxime Pinot
NIVIUK Icepeak 8 tested by Soheil Barikani
Photo : Sandrine Catel
Soheil Barikani at PWC Chamousset (France)
Soheil Barikani is a pilot living in Karaj (Iran)
I asked Soheil to send me his first impressions. He has already made 4 flights but it has not yet tested in strong conditions
“It’s easy to control not offcours same as Icepeak7 pro but still good and easy than Enzo 2. Spin tendency is low and good. Good gliding in speed bar and its one of main different with Icepeak 7 pro. I found that main problem and tricky point is in take off and land. I feel that in no wind conditions you need to more speed to going to flight and you should be sure that wing is in your head and in true place for run and going to fly. Still is good and no problem for competition pilot and in windy condition. Just in no wind need to more attention. But still is easy than Enzo 2 in takeoff. I think Niviuk try to designed a glider with enough performance for racing and keep it in control and easy to control. Rear riser handle is changed and I need more time to fall into the habit. I’m very happy that Niviuk pay more attention to made process because you can find easily elegance in sew. And decrease shrinkage in rip and upper and lower surface conditions. In my last fly, I release break and take photo. I had 50% colaps. I just shift wight and keep break and wing remain in control and open. My main mind challenge same as all competition pilot is frontal colaps. Should stay and more fly and competitions for result”
With the agreements of pilots Jean Marc Caron, Soheil Barikani, Klaudia Bulgakow, Lucas Bernadin, Jeremie Lager – source photo : Soheil Barikani – Niviuk Chile – Emma Casanova – traduction : Emma Casanova
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