Background
The Hellcat is NeilPryde’s zero cam freerace sail line, sharing technology from their race and slalom shapes it is designed to deliver maximum power and performance with minimum hassle.

At a glance
It has a seven batten frame, that has a pronounced compact clew along with all of the usual NeilPryde features. It has X-Ply re-enforcements in all of the critical areas and the finish looks top class, with bold coloured graphics that really make these sails stand out.

Rigging
It will rig on either a 460 or 490 mast and we tested it on a 460 NeilPryde X9 100% carbon mast. It is an easy sail to rig and it offers hassle free tuning that delivers great performance throughout its whole wind range. We found it performed best set with maximum downhaul and then tuned with minimum out-haul.

Performance
The Hellcat feels extremely lightweight and lively in the hands, with an enthusiastic pull that gets you going super early. It is well balanced in the hands and has plenty of power to help you accelerate quickly in even the lightest of winds. A very comfortable blasting sail that has a decent wind range, reacting well to gusts and lulls, it holds its shape well in light to medium winds, although it can become a bit of a handful when the wind really pumps up so this is time to change down! When it comes to manoeuvring, it delivers silky smooth handling and its light, well balanced character really pays off, so you can throw it around in turns with great ease and count on the low down grunt to power you rapidly out of every turn.

The verdict
The Hellcat is a great all-round freeride/race sail that delivers superb power and comfort, in its wind range, for high speed blasting. With hassle free rigging and smooth handling it would suit freeride blasters of all levels.

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