Stubai Cup 2024: Skywalk Masala 4, Arak 2 and Poison

Skywalk launched the Masala 4 (EN A) two days before the Stubai Cup 2024, and it was available to fly during the festival.
A “lightweight all-rounder” Skywalk’s Arne Wehrlin said they are “really happy” with the glider. “It’s the perfect beginner’s wing,” Arne said, designed to take pilots all the way through from learning to XC.
The Arak 2 (EN B) was also available for demo flights, and is expected to be available to order by April. It’s a mid-B glider, a light (but not lightweight) wing made of robust materials. “It’s a really fun glider with good performance - it gives you a sixth sense for the air.” It will be available in six sizes, covering 55kg to 135kg.
Finally, the prototype of the latest generation Poison (two-line EN D) is in the final stages of development. Arne said the plan is to have it available for the competition season starting in “maybe May”.
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[@tomekbumat]

I've been flying Skywalk gliders for over 11 years. In colder season ( central Poland) I fly my old but still robust Chili3 doing ridge soaring, and I use Arak1 for cross country in the summer. I guess there's quite a big number of other pilots who appreciate stronger, a little heavier gliders, and who are disappointed, like myself, with the trend to make the cloth less resistant to tear. Getting the cloth thinner and thinner isn't a good option for ridge soaring where contact with shrubs on high wind take-offs and landing happens from time to time. In such situations Chili3 survives, Arak1 suffers more. Pilots who don't want to replace their gliders every season may turn away from this brand.

[@luqqqiiiiii]

The marketing positions the arak between tequila and chilli, but the technical differences between arak and tequila appear to be identical apart from the weight. Can the arak really have noticeably better performance than the tequila? (Perhaps due to a different trim?)

[@woob31]

I think there's a copy paste issue on the Skywalk website. Arak is 5.4 a/r. I doubt the Arak 2 goes down to 5.22 exactly like the Tequila...

[@eaglespointparapendio8086]

The glider has different materials and different tensioning on the structure and brake. The Tequila is tuned trough the safety, the Arak more in the performance direction resulting in a different glider for the users. The more refined contruction allow better performance even with less AR and cells.

[@skywalkparagliders]

There are 5 years of development know-how between the ARAK2 and the ARAK1. We used this experience and thoroughly optimized the ARAK2 with finely tuned trim, modified brake geometry, new materials and a slightly reduced aspect ratio. As a result of this development, the performance of the glider increased even though we reduced the cells.
Reducing the number of cells results in lowered weight of the glider an pack size. In addition, general handling becomes easier and despite an overall increase in performance compared to its predecessor, starting behavior improves.
In addition to the developments already mentioned, a performance-oriented trimming has been implemented in the ARAK2. This results in a more dynamic flight behavior, rapid response to control inputs, and increased agility. Therefore, the ARAK2 is designed to be an impressive mid-B wing suitable for ambitious pilots.
The TEQUILA6 shares similar technical specifications with the ARAK2, but differs in its flight behavior. The trimming is adjusted in such a way that the TEQUILA6 is a little more subdued and slightly less dynamic. The TEQUILA6 as a LOW-B glider is excellent for pilots transitioning into the B range who want to progress and further develop their skills.
Paragliders and their demands on the pilot do not just depend on the number of cells and the aspect ratio. Of course, technical details are important, but that's only a small part of the characteristics that influence flight behavior.

[@ihtam634]

⁠@@skywalkparagliders When will the Arak Air 2 be presented?
In my last SIV course I saw how the Arak Air 1 performed. It was impressive how safe this wing reacted in side collapses. I want to buy that wing, but if the Arak Air 2 launches soon, i will wait.

[@babbyloncircus]

Can we expect a light Mint ? An Arak 2 Air ??