The Atlas complements the wave model Combat (test in surf 1-2/2021) in the direction of bump & jump and should score equally well as a strong wind flat water sail and in the surf. But what adjustments do designers need to make to give a sail the desired characteristics? Robert Stroj, responsible for the NeilPryde sail range, explains his ideas.
Robert, laymen will probably hardly see any difference if they put a Wave model like the Combat next to the freemove model Atlas - apart from the fact that the Atlas has one more batten. Why don't you explain where the differences lie in detail?
Our Combat has been designed for years as an all-round wave sail, i.e. for people who primarily surf waves. The Atlas is aimed at surfers who surf at least as often in flat water or bump & jump conditions. If you superimpose the 3D files of the Combat and Atlas, they also look quite similar, but a closer look reveals clear differences: the Atlas (blue; the ed.) has more luff curve, which gives the whole sail more tension. In combination with an additional batten, this results in a tighter sail feel and the deeper profile in the centre area develops even more power than is the case with the Combat (magenta, the ed.).
Is it ultimately just about the feel of the sail and the question of "tight" or "soft"? What differences do you feel as a normal surfer on the water?
With the Atlas, the profile is taut and more pre-shaped. The profile is therefore always noticeable and to a certain extent built into the sail. This should make planing easier and ensure that you can surf in a controlled manner over a wide wind range without a great deal of technical effort. The Combat is much softer in comparison. Without wind pressure, it is much flatter, which has a positive effect on handling and ensures better neutrality on the wave. The profile of the Combat is more dynamic to a certain extent, it only pulls in when pressure is applied to the sail and flattens out again when the sail is unfurled.
You are referring to the profile and the luff curve. What differences are there with regard to the outline?
The Atlas is slightly wider in the boom area. This is reversed towards the top and the top section is even narrower than the Combat, for example. The idea is that the Atlas can generate more power in the lower and middle sections, but does not become top-heavy due to the narrow leech. The Combat, on the other hand, can cope well with a wider leech, as the softer profile can twist well when overpowered and release the pressure.
Thank you Robert for the interview!
"The Atlas is a tip if you surf flat water, bump & jump and waves in equal parts" Manuel Vogel, surf tester
We tested whether the design philosophy works on two days on the water.
On land: The Atlas is designed as a five-latter across all sizes and has a longer fork than the Combat. The more pre-shaped profile is also striking. While the battens of the Combat model, for example, are still very flat without wind pressure, the profile of the Atlas is always visible and "firmly installed". As a result, the trim forces on the luff are noticeably higher than on the Combat, but are still within reasonable limits compared to freemove or wave sails from other brands.
On the water: In a positive sense, the Atlas is made for lazy people: the sail is very stable in the hand, which means that it is very easy to find the right angle of attack to the wind - which has a very favourable effect on the planing performance. Even compared to the Combat, which is also very planing, the Atlas can go one better and pulls away powerfully. Although the sail doesn't seem very agile in a straight line, this is primarily due to its inherently stable behaviour and makes it easier for less experienced riders in particular to find their way through the surf. Those who ride waves will also experience a sail that pulls powerfully through the turn up to the wave lip and feels quite light when putting it down, just not as inviting to play around the longitudinal axis as the Combat. It is pleasing that the Atlas works well over a wide wind range with very few trim changes - the pressure point remains stable for a long time. The only thing you shouldn't do is flatten the sail completely, the concept is simply not made for that.
surf conclusion: The Atlas does indeed score highly as a planing, manoeuvrable and very controllable sail for flat water riders in combination with freeride or freemove boards, as well as for surfers who want to ride real surf waves. Fans of neutral sails with playful handling who mainly surf waves or even freestyle are clearly better off with the Combat.
Info: www.neilpryde.com
Manuel Vogel
Editor surf
