US-based designer of raquets and sports footwear Prince Sports, Inc., has won the Bronze Award in the consumer products category at the Industrial Design Excellence Award (IDEA) Awards for its racquet technology.

Decisions were based upon design innovation, benefit to the user, benefit to the business, ecological responsibility and aesthetics and appeal.

The IDEA competition is sponsored by BusinessWeek and the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA).

By expanding the ordinary pin-sized string holes into giant ‘O-Ports’, Prince’s O3 technology is said to have increased the sweet spot by up to 54%, allowing players to hit more consistent shots from more places on the racquet, more often.  This has been achieved without enlarging the racquet head, increasing its length, or adding weight.