Selling: Squash/Badminton Showcase: Swimwear
Wilson gets a feel for racket sports
BLX technology, using fibres derived from basalt volcanic rock, is at the heart of Wilson’s rackets this coming season. David Pittman reports
W
ilson’s 2011 racket range hinges on its BLX technology, which is described as ‘the most
advanced composite in the industry’. BLX combines basalt fibres woven longitudinally with Wilson’s proprietary [K]arophite Black technology, itself an evolution of Wilson nCode products which utilises a structure incorporating additional bonds between the SiO2 and graphite molecules on a nanoscopic scale, resulting in
more feel and a stronger, more stable racket. Wilson equates BLX to noise cancelling headphones, which filter out unwanted external noise. Likewise, it says, basalt filters out unwanted frequencies and stops them reaching the hand.
“It offers unmatched frequency reduction while retaining carbon fibre performance in terms of lightness, responsiveness, stability and rigidity,” Wilson claims. “BLX technology delivers a clean feedback and better sensation for the perfect feel.”
Wilson says BLX features in all of its performance rackets, including tennis, squash and badminton. The technology will be introduced to Wilson’s squash line-up alongside three frame types, Triad, Linear YL and Linear with yoke; four hole technologies, in the way of articulated grommet technology, power holes, double holes and classic; and one grip technology, the Comfort Hybrid Grip, which uses air-cell foam and soft polyurethane. The new Blade BLX squash racket showcases the advances Wilson says it has made with BLX
❶ Blade BLX - badminton ❷ Zen BLX badminton ❸ Vertex BLX - badminton ❹ Zonar BLX - badminton ➎ Blade BLX - squash ❻ Tour BLX - squash
technology, utilising a linear construction alongside classic holes, while the One.30 BLX features a Triad frame and double holes for 26- degree string movement.
Other squash rackets include: the Surge BLX, with articulated grommet technology that it is said allows 76-degree string movement; the One.55 BLX, designed for intermediate players with an entry-level price point of £79.95; and the Tour BLX, the ‘choice of a new generation of powerful players, offering up the pace and precision needed to penetrate the court from any
❸ ❷ ➎ ❶ ❻ ❹
position with BLX enhanced feel’; it is 2010 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Peter Barker’s racket of choice.
The BLX line follows on from the [K] Factor and nCode rackets, which are also still available, such as the [K] Reflex, [K] Team Hybrid and [K] Slam, and nPower and
nSword. BLX has similarly been introduced to Wilson’s line-up of
badminton rackets, although this time alongside four frame technologies and one grip technology. The four frame types are Linear, Control Base, Dual Connect Top Cap and Extended Power Shaft. A Linear construction reportedly provides 32 per cent more stability, Control Base maximises torsional stability, a Dual Connect Top Cap delivers immediate shaft movement feedback and an Extended Power Shaft lowers the kick point and increases flexibility and torsional stability.
Performance Hybrid Grip technology combines a cotton base with tackified polyurethane at a medium thickness for comfort and feel. The brand new Zonar BLX also features an isometric head shape to deliver extra power, according to Wilson, and the Sword BLX offers the technologies at an entry-level price point of £79.95 through a versatile racket. Again, BLX follows on from [K] Factor and nCode badminton rackets, such as the [K] Team, [K] Reflex and [K] Slam, and nReflex, nRival and nGage.
www.sgb-sports.com 29
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