VMG Efficiency Unlocked – 2025 Partial Double-Skin Wings for Race-Level Speeds
Speed is useless if you are going the wrong way. "VMG" (Velocity Made Good) is the metric of how fast you travel toward your destination (usually upwind).
In 2025, technology like North's Mode Ultra wing has introduced "Partial Double-Skin" designs. These wings are changing the geometry of wingfoil wind efficiency.
Double-Skin Aero Trim
A standard wing has a single canopy. It flutters. Flutter creates drag. A double-skin wing has two layers. It inflates into a smooth airfoil shape, like an airplane wing.
- The Benefit: 15% reduction in drag.
- The Result: You can point higher into the wind direction while maintaining speed. You slice through 25+ knots without the drag holding you back.
High-Speed Wingtip Seam
2025 wings feature reinforced seams at the tips. In high wind, wingtips tend to twist and flare. This spills power. The stiff seams lock the twist. This allows you to hold the wing vertically in 30+ knots of wind gusts without it collapsing. It converts the gust directly into forward motion.
The Pinch-and-Reach Drill
To master VMG, practice this drill:
- Pinch: Sheet in hard. Point the board as high upwind as possible. Watch your speed drop.
- Reach: Bear away 10 degrees. Feel the speed spike to 18–22 knots.
- The Sweet Spot: Find the angle where speed is high but you are still climbing upwind. This is your Max VMG.
Forecast Application
Use GFS and ICON to plan your VMG runs.
- Stable Wind: Best for VMG training. You can lock in the angle.
- Shifty Wind: Hard for VMG. The wind window moves too much.
Summary
If you want to race (or just beat your friends), look into double-skin technology. It is not just hype. It is aerodynamics. It cleans up the airflow, reduces drag, and allows you to hold speed at angles that single-skin wings cannot touch.