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Ashaway, RI — The UltraKill® family of racquetball strings from Ashaway Racket Strings offers players a full range of playing characteristics, allowing them to choose the precise combination of power, durability and feel that is right for their game. Available in 16, 17, and 18 gauge thicknesses, each UltraKill string is built on a specially constructed Zyex® polymer core engineered to provide specific performance characteristics while maintaining tension for longer string life. A braided surface also maximizes control and increases spin.

“String choice is a very individual and subjective thing,” said Steve Crandall, Ashaway Vice President of Marketing. “Advances in Zyex material technology have really allowed us to fine tune our string packages, and offer players a significant level of choice in playing characteristics while still maintaining the well known Zyex tension holding properties.”

Both UltraKill 17 and 18 utilize multifilament cores produced with new generation Zyex filaments that are finer and even stronger than before, and provide superior feel, more power, and improved ball control. UltraKill 16, by contrast, utilizes the same Zyex core polymer as other members of the family, but in a special, multi-stranded monofilament construction that increases power and resilience while its rugged 16 gauge (1.30 mm) thickness maximizes durability for chronic string breakers.

“UltraKill 16 is the workhorse in the family,” said Crandall. “It’s designed to provide exceptional power and ball control for amateur or professional players who hit the ball really hard and break a lot of strings. The Zyex core in UltraKill 16 minimizes tension loss for more consistent performance, and the braided surface maximizes control and increases spin.”

UltraKill 17 is designed to provide amateur and professional players with a strong durable string with both exceptional power and ball control. It has been used by former World Champion Jack Huczek, who called it the best string he ever used. “I’ve noticed maybe 15% to 20% more power,” Huczek said of UltraKill 17, “and because the string has a rougher texture, it’s great on the feel shots and the touch shots. You can really carve the ball into the corners and the ball really stays down nice.”

UltraKill 18, combines the latest high tech Zyex materials with an innovative core construction technique to offer the thinnest, strongest, softest playing racquetball string on the market. Long-time stringer and frequent National Senior Doubles champion Tom Travers recommends UltraKill 18, “for any player who hits the ball 130 mph or less, which includes about 75% of players. UltraKill 18 has more elasticity than a thicker gauge string. That means you’re going to get more pop on the ball, more power. Plus, you’re going to have more feel with the thinner string. The ball is going to sit on this string longer, whereas it may tend to slip across the surface of a nylon string. This gives you more control over your shots.”

“The final choice comes down to you and your game,” said Crandall. “If you like the feel of UltraKill 18 but find it doesn’t hold up to your liking, try the 17-gauge. If you really go through strings, drop down to UltraKill 16, or try Jack Huczek’s hybrid trick of using 16 gauge mains for durability and 17 gauge crosses for feel and control. It’s up to you.”

Gloss black (UltraKill 16), brilliant green (UltraKill 17), and dynamic blue (UltraKill 18) in color, UltraKill strings are available for all players in 40 ft. sets and 360 ft. reels. Recommended stringing tension is up to 35 lbs. Ashaway suggests using 10-20% less tension than normally used for standard nylon strings.

Ashaway Racket Strings are made by Ashaway Line & Twine Mfg. Co., the only U.S. manufacturer of string for squash, tennis, racquetball, and badminton. Operated by the Crandall family since 1824, Ashaway has been making racquet strings since 1949, and is responsible for several important technical innovations. Ashaway is the Official String of USA Racquetball and the Women’s International Squash Players Association. Ashaway Line & Twine Mfg. Co. also makes braided products for medical and industrial applications. For more information visit ashawayusa.com.

The UltraKill® family of racquetball strings from Ashaway offers players a full range of playing characteristics, allowing them to choose the precise combination of power, durability and feel that is right for their game. Available in 16, 17, and 18 gauge thicknesses, each UltraKill string is built on a specially constructed Zyex® polymer core engineered to provide specific performance characteristics while maintaining tension for longer string life.