There is news on the side of  Tecnifibre , with the official launch of the  Curva range , a series of rackets designed to support “all player profiles towards increased performance”. This launch took place during the first stage of the  Curva Tour , organized at the club  GPadel , near Strasbourg. On this occasion,  Victor Humbert ,  Global Technilab & Product Manager  at Tecnifibre, detailed the behind-the-scenes of this innovation which is based on precise scientific data and a desire to stick as closely as possible to the requirements of the modern game.

A three-step method: identify, quantify, solve

At Tecnifibre, product development follows a clear logic: “ identify, quantify, resolve " This is how Victor Humbert began his approach: by going onto the pitches, observing the best players and talking with the coaches. The conclusion? " The key to performance in padel is the ability to generate low bounces, so that the ball hits the glass and puts the opponent in difficulty. "He says.

To confirm this observation,  the Technilab  — the brand's field laboratory — used the technology  track man  to analyze the ball trajectories of nearly a hundred players, from beginners to professionals. A significant criterion that distinguishes the best from club players has been highlighted: the negative angle ».

Identify, quantify, solve tecnifibre

The Negative Angle: The Secret of Top Players

This  negative angle  corresponds to a downward trajectory of the ball just after impact with the racket. When the angle is positive, the ball rises before falling. In contrast, in the pros, the ball descends immediately after the strike, and will crash against the glass. ", specifies the head of Technilab.

Range  Curve  has thus been designed to help all types of players to tend towards this negative angle, thanks to specific technical characteristics.

Exclusive and patented technology

Among the most innovative elements of this new range,  perforation on the sides and on the face  of the racket constitutes a strong differentiator. We are the only ones to offer this double perforation. This creates an air tunnel that passes through the racket, which improves its penetration in the air and therefore maneuverability. ».

The results speak for themselves: “ 91% of players who tested the Curva racket improved their trajectory, according to TrackMan data ", says Victor Humbert. The effect of this technology is particularly felt on technical moves like viboras or bandegas, where shearing the ball is essential.

A range designed for all profiles

Although the  Curva technology  While the focus is on air dynamics, attention has also been paid to other player needs. For example, we've incorporated a Curva Soft version with fiberglass, which absorbs vibrations better. It's not strictly anti-vibration technology, but it improves comfort. ", qualifies Humbert.

Towards a generalization of technology

Tecnifibre's ambition does not stop with this new range. Now that we have this validated technical solution, it will be integrated into the next developments of the Wallbreaker and Wallmaster ranges. " he announces. A strategy that aims to homogenize performance across the entire collection.

The Curva Tour: nine stages to test and measure

To accompany this launch, Tecnifibre has launched the  Curva Tour , a European tour which will pass through  nine strategic clubs  that holds the top spot. " The goal is to bring this experience to as many players as possible, and to quantify their negative angle to help them progress. ", explains the project manager.

Three stages are planned in  France  (Including  Padel Horizon  et  Mind Padel In Lyon ), one in  Belgium , one at  United Kingdom , one to the  Netherlands , and one in  Spain  that holds the top spot. " Depending on the clubs and the type of participants, we adapt the event. Sometimes it will be B2B with clients, sometimes open to all. Padel Horizon, for example, organizes an approved tournament in parallel with the tests ", explains Victor Humbert.

Each stage includes a field equipped with  track man , for a scientific analysis of the strikes, and a second field animated by  Adrien Maigret , Tecnifibre ambassador, who guides participants in the discovery of the negative angle.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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