NORTH SAILS BLOG

DOWNLOAD YOUR ZOOM BACKGROUND Show Friends & Colleagues Where You’d Rather Be (other than on Zoom!) Need a change of scenery from your ‘home office? Jump onboard with North Sails Zoom Backgrounds and put yourself out on the water! Zoom is now an integral part of our daily workflow, so we’ve created a selection of backgrounds for you to choose from to upgrade your Zoom experience. Put yourself in the cockpit of a VO65, battling the Southern Ocean, or on the deck of a J Class superyacht. More into the cruising lifestyle? Sit back and relax on the leeward side and take in all the feels of a warm, open-ocean breeze. Whether you are Zooming with friends or with work colleagues, you can now set the scene and show your fellow Zoomers where you’d rather be. Click on any background below to download. Download Background Download Button Interstitial First Name * Last Name * Email * By entering your email address, you agree to receive emails from North Sails as well as promotional offers and announcements from North Sails. Collected information will not be shared with any third party. Privacy Policy Opt-In * I have read and understand North Sails privacy policy Age Consent Opt-In * I am 16 years or older Continue Download Background Download Button Interstitial First Name * Last Name * Email * By entering your email address, you agree to receive emails from North Sails as well as promotional offers and announcements from North Sails. Collected information will not be shared with any third party. Privacy Policy Opt-In * I have read and understand North Sails privacy policy Age Consent Opt-In * I am 16 years or older Continue Download Background Download Button Interstitial First Name * Last Name * Email * By entering your email address, you agree to receive emails from North Sails as well as promotional offers and announcements from North Sails. Collected information will not be shared with any third party. Privacy Policy Opt-In * I have read and understand North Sails privacy policy Age Consent Opt-In * I am 16 years or older Continue Download Background Download Button Interstitial First Name * Last Name * Email * By entering your email address, you agree to receive emails from North Sails as well as promotional offers and announcements from North Sails. Collected information will not be shared with any third party. Privacy Policy Opt-In * I have read and understand North Sails privacy policy Age Consent Opt-In * I am 16 years or older Continue Download Background Download Button Interstitial First Name * Last Name * Email * By entering your email address, you agree to receive emails from North Sails as well as promotional offers and announcements from North Sails. Collected information will not be shared with any third party. Privacy Policy Opt-In READ MORE

LIVE UPDATES: THE PRADA CUP On-The-Ground Updates and Highlights from Auckland With the PRADA Cup, the 36th America’s Cup is underway. It’s exciting for our sport and North as three of the four teams competing in this Cup cycle use North Sails, and our NTG family brands Southern Spars, and Future Fibres to power their engine above deck. Our group has also supplied design talent and software to support the teams’ quest for the Cup. And for those of you who want to dress the part, North Sails is an official partner for event branded clothing. Racing begins January 15th at 1500 NZL time. Make sure to check your time zone if you’re watching remotely. North Sails will also be covering the PRADA Cup on this live blog and on our social channels throughout the next few weeks. Race Schedule January 30, 2021, 13:30 GMT Winners are grinners in the PRADA Cup semi-finals Luna Rossa PRADA Pirelli sailed confidently onto Course A in a light north-easterly that blew in smoothly from the sea. Two wins for the Italians would take them to the PRADA Cup finals to sail against INEOS TEAM UK, and eliminate American Magic. COR 36 / Studio Borlenghi Both races started evenly, and it seemed we finally had a boat race. Luna Rossa PRADA Pirelli had a slight speed advantage and the Spithill/Bruni team was taking nothing for granted. “Let’s keep the foot on the throat,” Spithill told his crew as they tacked to cover, despite a comfortable lead. Classic match-racing; classic Spithill. But Luna Rossa was also pointing higher. Pointing higher meant fewer tacks, fewer tacks meant less distance sailed, less distance sailed meant two (seemingly) effortless wins. Over race one, Luna Rossa sailed 200 meters less distance and did two fewer tacks – enough for a decisive win. Race 4, was match point– the do or die moment. Spithill applied pressure in the pre-start and gradually built a lead. Halfway through the race, PATRIOT suffered electronic gremlins with its foiling arms and gave Luna Rossa PRADA Pirelli the crucial fourth win. Spithill credits the semi-final races for providing the team with valuable preparation for the PRADA Cup finals. “It was an advantage to do that series and we are the stronger for it,” he said. “The boat is going better and better,” Bruni added. There is definitely new confidence in the Italian team. In the past week, in training sessions with their sailing coaches, they have found an estimated 10 percent improvement. That may include heightened confidence in the team-generated software that gives critical time-on-distance information to the startline and electronic boundaries. And there was a definite swagger in Spithill’s voice as he crossed the finish line for the second time. “Nice one,” he said. “Now, INEOS boys.” It was as though he knew they were watching… 📸 COR36 / Studio Borlenghi January 29, 2021, 17:15 GMT Luna Rossa PRADA Pirelli Pick Up Two Wins on Day 1 of the Semi-Finals On day one of the PRADA Cup semi-finals, Luna Rossa PRADA Pirelli came into the start box with a game plan to own the start, and then pulled no punches for their recently repaired opposition, Patriot before leading them to the start line. Yes, it was an aggressive kick-off to the semi-finals of the PRADA Cup, a best-of-seven series, but it did just the trick– American Magic was knocked off their game and didn’t manage to get it back. Once they were racing, the Italians held their lead and extended it around the eight-leg course, ending on with a generous delta. Then, they did it again in race two. Ouch. If Luna Rossa does that again on race day #2, they will sail straight into the finals to take on INEOS TEAM UK. 📸 COR36 / Studio Borlenghi But, if we’ve learned anything about this America’s Cup, there is no such thing as a comfortable lead for an AC75 foiling monohull. Among the many new challenges of racing these boats, it’s easy to forget that optimum sail selection is still critical – especially when there’s no option to change sails mid-race. One could say, it’s a bit old school. The day was a day of shifty breezes, and the wind speeds ran up and down between the mid-teens and gusts in the 20s like quick little mice on a treadmill. To manage the shifty wind, Luna Rossa PRADA Pirelli went for a bigger mainsail and jib than its opposition, deciding to sail on the edge rather than being underpowered. AC75 sails regularly operate in apparent wind speeds ranging from 10 to 70 knots in a race. Their sails can take immense loads, and can flatten, or depower, through that range. On day one of the PRADA Cup Semi-Finals Luna Rossa PRADA Pirelli got it right: go big, get plenty of power and then manage the control over that power. It’s risky, in theory, but it was a no brainer. The shifty conditions might have offered some passing lanes, but Luna Rossa did not come under attack and had an almost perfect day, although their supporters let out a frantic gasp as Luna Rossa PRADA Pirelli bounced off their foils just after the windward gate in race two. With a comfortable lead, from then on, the team pulled out their training wheels and took the corner safely on both foils. Going into races three and four we may well see this series wrapped up. 📸 COR 36 / Studio Borlenghi January 23, 2021, 13:30 GMT Nerves on a Knifes Edge Heading into this weekend’s race with race 2 Round Robin 3 the question on everyone’s mind was would this be the race that would send Sir Ben Ainslie direct to the finals of the PRADA Cup with five wins straight, or would it give Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni a big morale boost and a chance to fight again tomorrow. As if scripted by Spielberg, it started on time. And stopped. And started. The wind shifts were messing with the race committee, there was an issue with the cunningham onboard INEOS TEAM UK, and by the time both boats charged across the line, the race was already a master class in suspense. The race would then go on to become the style of racing we’re all missing– nail-biting. Reflecting now, it was more like a tennis match or Le Mans endurance race, with something exciting happening every five seconds. If you weren’t on the edge of your seat, you were probably asleep. On the first beat, Luna Rossa PRADA Pirelli attacked, luffing INEOS TEAM UK in a move that is high-drama for displacement boats with foiling arms not sticking out their sides. It worked! INEOS TEAM UK, in the windward position, had to tack away and fell off its foils. Luna Rossa was looking good as they took the lead. In earlier America’s Cup racing, PRADA would have taken off and it would have been game over for INEOS once they fell off their foils, but, like we mentioned earlier, Spithill-Bruni were not going down without a fight. But the British team was nailing the shifts, so by the time the boats reached the top gate, the lead was nothing (a mere nine seconds!). Italy screamed in on port and tacked on top of UK, but in the shifty conditions, the maneuver was clumsy. The wakes of both boats drew a perfect half-donut in the water around the mark, but INEOS TEAM UK had the inside and the lead. In a race that would see nine lead changes and more than 50 knots boat speed, the wind shifts put Luna Rossa PRADA Pirelli ahead. No wait, INEOS was ahead. No, PRADA. At gate four, INEOS TEAM UK pulled one of its signature slick moves and escaped– leaving PRADA almost in the dust. Heading into the finish, Italy had one option left. On the final cross, it dialed down, tacked on to starboard, all with to hope a penalty as UK crossed ahead on port, but the umpire didn’t agree and let Britannia head for the line. The race was awarded to INEOS TEAM UK. The scriptwriter got promoted. Sir Ben Ainslie and his underdog team remained unbeaten, clinched first place in the finals of the PRADA Cup, and made the last race of the Round Robins a box office hit. The British team will now have nearly three weeks to work on their boat and further develop it, whereas Luna Rossa PRADA Pirelli will have to continue heading to the start line next weekend. Carlo Borlenghi / America’s Cup January, 22, 2021, 22:15 GMT Revised Round Robin Explained Round Robins 3 and 4 have undergone a major rethink following the withdrawal of a challenger due to last Sunday’s near-sinking. The revamped schedule canceled racing on Friday and has Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and INEOS TEAM UK racing each other just once on Saturday and Sunday. That means it’s an all-out, head-to-head for the Brits and the Italians. In the 2013 America’s Cup, Spithill came back from -2 to beat Team New Zealand and win the race in what’s easily considered the best sporting comeback of all time, but only after Ainslie had come onboard to help reverse the losing streak. In this lead-up to the America’s Cup, Ainslie is so far the comeback kid, after losing the ACWS in December; now, Spithill is running out of runway to overtake him. No doubt, Spithill has done the math. INEOS TEAM UK has four wins from four starts. One win this weekend will take them straight to the final of the Prada Cup in February, and leave Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli to battle it out for the remaining spot next weekend. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has two points, so if they win both Saturday and Sunday, they will be tied with INEOS TEAM UK at four points. As the winner of the most recent race, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, would win the tie and go to the final. The team that misses the first spot in the finals will go on to compete in the semi-final against American Magic, which starts on Friday 29 January; it is a best-of-seven series. The losing semi-finalist will then pack their bags to go home. Giles Scott of INEOS TEAM UK, says being the first team to the finals will be an advantage. “Winning the Round Robin buys you time to make more upgrades to the boat,” he says. “It’s going to be significant for whoever wins.” In other news, regatta director, Iain Murray, has also revamped the racecourses to remove course A where the capsize occurred. From now on, almost all racing will be an extended Course C, a good all-round course with generally flat water. In the future, if an AC75 capsizes, the race will be abandoned. Round Robins 3 and 4 have undergone a major rethink following the withdrawal of a challenger due to last Sunday’s near-sinking. The revamped schedule canceled racing on Friday and has Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and INEOS TEAM UK racing each other just once on Saturday and Sunday. That means it’s an all-out, head-to-head for the Brits and the Italians. In the 2013 America’s Cup, Spithill came back from -2 to beat Team New Zealand and win the race in what’s easily considered the best sporting comeback of all time, but only after Ainslie had come onboard to help reverse the losing streak. In this lead-up to the America’s Cup, Ainslie is so far the comeback kid, after losing the ACWS in December; now, Spithill is running out of runway to overtake him. No doubt, Spithill has done the math. INEOS TEAM UK has four wins from four starts. One win this weekend will take them straight to the final of the Prada Cup in February, and leave Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli to battle it out for the remaining spot next weekend. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has two points, so if they win both Saturday and Sunday, they will be tied with INEOS TEAM UK at four points. As the winner of the most recent race, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, would win the tie and go to the final. The team that misses the first spot in the finals will go on to compete in the semi-final against American Magic, which starts on Friday 29 January; it is a best-of-seven series. The losing semi-finalist will then pack their bags to go home. Giles Scott of INEOS TEAM UK, says being first team to the finals will be an advantage. “Winning the Round Robin buys you time to make more upgrades to the boat,” he says. “It’s going to be significant for whoever wins.” In other news, regatta director, Iain Murray, has also revamped the racecourses to remove course A where the capsize occurred. From now on, almost all racing will be an extended Course C, a good all-round course with generally flat water. In the future, if an AC75 capsizes, the race will be abandoned. January 17, 2021, GMT 15:00 GMT Round Robin Week 1 Recap If the last three years have been AC75 flight school, then the first two Round Robins have been Top Gun. And school will be adjourned with a foiling monohull clinching the America’s Cup. But to get to graduation, there’s quite a lot of course work ahead. As soon as the race committee announced Race day 3 (RR2 R 2, 3) would be on Course A, the most exposed course in the Hauraki Gulf, with 20-knot winds against a strong spring tide… drama was bound to follow. And, mid-way into the first race, a major wind shift turned a downwind run into a reach featuring Southern Ocean-style sailing– the race was quickly abandoned just as INEOS TEAM UK took the lead over Luna Rossa PRADA Pirelli. An hour later, Course A was a happy place after the front passed through, leaving a kindly 16 knots in a choppy sea. Luna Rossa PRADA Pirelli and INEOS TEAM UK lined up again for Race 2 of Round Robin 2. The boats were evenly paced, with the Italians in the lead, although barely playing to Jimmy Spitthill’s favorite match race textbook– crossing INEOS TEAM UK multiple times without tacking on them. By the looks of it, the objective of this PRADA CUP is: sail your own race. During the race, the lead swapped three times. And, despite the chat about whether Britannia would rule the waves or the waves would rule Britannia, Ainslie was still showing off those handbrake turns that return him direct to his favored side on the course after whipping through the gate. These impressive turns won him the race. 📸 Carlo Borlenghi / America’s Cup And we thought that was the big news of the day. Race 3, Round Robin 2: Luna Rossa PRADA Pirelli faced American Magic; in a dramatic leg final leg with American Magic lead ingLuna Rossa PRADA Pirelli, Dean Barker surged into the final gate at full Gs speed. With a 600m lead, Barker tacked and bore away exactly as a gust hit the boat. PATRIOT reared high and crashed down: the first AC75 to capsize during a race. All crew are safe, and all teams’, including Emirates Team New Zealand’s, deployed their chase boats and powered to keep PATRIOT afloat, but she is badly damaged. The committee awarded the race to Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. Reflecting on Round Robins so far is like Goldilocks in reverse: the third day was too windy, the second day was too light, and the first day was just right. Halfway through the Round Robins, we now no longer know if three boats will appear on the course next Friday. Luna Rossa PRADA Pirelli has two wins to INEOS TEAM UK’s four. Luna Rossa has four days to unpack the first three days of sailing and see if Spithill, the king of AC comebacks, and Bruni can find another gear. INEOS TEAM UK has four days to keep their boat sailing fast. Meanwhile, the race committee may come out with some changes to help prevent AC75 boats from taking off like jumbo jets; after all, we want Super Hornets, not Boeing 787s. We are glad that the American Magic crew are safe and applaud the quick action from event management, fellow competitors, and local responders who immediately came to help. The PRADA Cup Round Robin series restarts on January 22, 2021, at 1500 NZL. Standby by for updates as the week unfolds. January 16, 2021, 15:30 GMT Beached As If the America’s Cup is the Formula One of match racing, then day 2 was like rationing the fuel for the race cars and hiding the pit stops. And, even though these boats might look like spaceships, they still need the one thing that all sailboats need: wind. In such light wind conditions, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and INEOS TEAM UK were lucky to be racing only once. Even then, both only just finished (thanks to a shortened course) with wide margins over their opposition, who received a DNF in RR1 R3. READ MORE

PODIUM SWEEP AT THE VX ONE WINTER SERIES Congratulations Chris Alexander and Team Counterproductive Twenty-two VX One teams gathered at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron for the first of three Winter Series regattas. The weekend started with practice races on Friday followed by a socially-distant onshore debrief with North experts Austin Powers and Mike Marshall. The Saturday forecast called for winds in the mid to upper 20s, but when competitors left the dock the velocity was nowhere to be found. Then, just as promised 3 minutes before the first race the wind went from a mild 7 knots to a blustery 25 knots in the span of 3 minutes. Sporty conditions made for hard work upwind, but a sleigh ride down wind with a few teams seeing 20 knots of boat speed on their instruments. The key to this race was the ability to gybe and keep the mast point towards the sky. After 1 race, the wind built even stronger prompting the race committee to postpone ashore for more favorable conditions. Unfortunately, the wind never let up ending the day with only the single race completed. Sunday blew from the 5-9 knot range with varying conditions as dark clouds passed over the course. All credit to the RC as they were able to run seven races in five hours utilizing the 3 markset bots and just one chase boat. With shifty conditions and medium length courses, every mark rounding came with emphasis on clean boat handling and the ability to separate from the peloton and find clean air. When all was said and done, Chris Alexander’s “Counterproductive” came away with the victory with North’s own Madeline Gill aboard. Second place was occupied by Doug Clark and Mike Marshall, with third place being “Tudo Bem” being sailed by Michelle Warner, Reed Baldrige, and Austin Powers. North Sails powered teams finished 1,2,3,5,6,8,9,10*. Full results SHOP VX ONE SAILS 2021 Winter Series Event #1 winners. 📸 VX One Class/Sarah Wilkinson READ MORE

2021 i420 NORTH AMERICANS Consistency Guaranteed Tommy Sitzmann/Luke Woodworth the Title Biscayne Bay threw it all at the i420 teams competing for the 2021 North American Championship, with conditions that ranged from a very brisk 12-22 knot first day, to a drifter second day, followed by a marginal trapping final day filled with very fluky shifts and breeze direction changes. After the dust settled in this eight-race regatta, teams powered by North Sails finished 1,2,5,6,8. North Sails i420 inventory includes three mainsails (M-7, M-9, and M-11), two jibs (J-12 & J-13), and two spinnakers (S1 and S5). These sails are proven winners, and our range offers teams the opportunity to choose the best fit for their particular sailing style. We are happy to help, so please don’t hesitate to reach out for more information. Defending 2020 North American Champions, brothers Justin and Mitchell Callahan sailed a very consistent event with no result out of the top ten, and (except for a retirement in race 4 due to a rudder pin failure) pushed the eventual 2021 regatta champions Tommy Sitzmann/Luke Woodworth very hard all weekend. In the end, Sitzmann/Woodworth sailed an impressively consistent series themselves, with two bullets and no race finish out of the top 4. Full results Pre-launching fun Tommy Sitzmann/Luke Woodworth, 2021 North American Champions Justin & Mitchell Callahan, 2nd Place Overall READ MORE

Welcome to “What is…” a series where we aim to answer complex questions around the 36th edition of the America’s Cup. In Episode 1 we answer the question on everyone’s mind—what is foiling and how does it work? READ MORE

Everything You Need to Know For BOISW BOISW is the biggest regatta of its kind in New Zealand, and with over 100 boats registered, this year looks to be no different. Get your team race-ready with our tips and tricks to guide you around the race course and prepare for the ultimate racing experience here at the Bay of Islands! Daily Weather Updates North Sails have teamed up with Roger Badham and Clouds to provide daily weather forecasts every morning before racing. Make sure to download the BOISW App for updates. Get the BOISW App Make Sure Your Boat Is Race Ready With many variables in sailing outside of our control, it is important to make sure your yacht is cleaned, light, and ready to be used with ease once your sails and crew are added. Learn More The Importance Of Communication On The Downwind Leg Steering off the wind, on reaches and runs, requires a coordinated effort between helmsman and spinnaker trimmer. Learn More Make Every Tack Count The difference between a good tack and a poor one can be measured in boat lengths and when racing is tight, superior tacks will allow you to break free from, or keep control of, a rival. Learn More Certified Service Guaranteed Bay of Islands Sailing Week is just around the corner, and your North Sails team of experts will be onsite and ready to help you with all of your sail care needs. North Sails is a long-time sponsor of BOISW, and we are back again this year to help make sure you are ready to race. Learn More READ MORE

A recap of our informative webinar with T-10 class experts Nick Turney, Perry Lewis and sail designer Mike Marshall. Allan Terhune moderates as we discuss the updates to the new tuning guide, visual rig tuning, one jib vs. two jib combos, as well as sailcloth technology and differences between 2D string sails, paneled sails, and 3Di Composite Technology. READ MORE

VENDÉE GLOBE VIDEO ARCHIVE View our 7-Episode Video Series The Vendée Globe was born in November 1989. It began as a daring challenge launched by a group of 13 sailors, including French navigator Loïck Peyron. For the skippers who participate, the lure of this race outweighs the risk of sailing non-stop, solo, and without assistance around the world. And for fans, we all gather every four years to be captivated by the next generation of IMOCAs, see who will reach the finish line and if we’re lucky, witness the setting of a new speed record. 📸 Andreas Lindlahr Episode 1: Thus was Born the Vendée Globe Peyron joins North Sails to lend his voice as our narrator in a six-part video series. He offers his perspective on this legendary race by telling the story of the exceptional skippers who dare take on the challenge, the passion that drives them, and the quest for open-ocean adventure. Beyond, the modern Vendée features the emergence of women and international sailors, the ever-evolving technology of the IMOCA, not to mention the growing enthusiasm amongst spectators and all those who are passionate about this unrivaled competition. With his impressive list of accomplishments, and collection of offshore miles, Loïck Peyron is regarded as one of the greatest French sailors. He took part in the first edition of the Vendée Globe, where he finished second. In this first episode, he recounts the history of the Vendée Globe through his eyes, from its origins to the present day, a race that has left an indelible mark in people’s minds. Episode 2: Technology and the Modern IMOCA The Vendée Globe is a race exclusively reserved for the IMOCA, a 60-foot monohull machine built for racing. The open rule gives the naval architects great freedom of design when imagining the next generation of boats. A class known for technological experimentation, the IMOCA has seen radical innovations such as foils appear in recent years. These appendages, placed on either side of the hull, provide power, reduce drag, and propel the IMOCA to fly above the surface at speeds that were once inconceivable. In two decades, the modern IMOCA has shaved close to 40 days off a circumnavigation. The 2020 race start is on the horizon, and many of us onshore wonder- how fast will these boats fly? In Episode 2 of our Vendée Globe 2020 video series, French sailor and storyteller Loïck Peyron explores the phenomenal high-tech advances of the IMOCA. Loïck brings us beyond visual appearances and dives deep into the construction and materials, most notably carbon, used in the boats. Today, the IMOCA is lighter, faster, and more reliable. The manufacturing methods of these boats are closer to those of airplanes than to sailboats. “We use the same terms, the same mathematical formulas and the same prediction and simulation tools as those used in aircraft,” stresses Loïck Peyron. Generally speaking, “the speeds of the boats have been multiplied by four in forty years.” Episode 3: The Spirit of Adventure In search of a challenge, a record, or an adrenaline rush, the sailors participating in the Vendée Globe are constantly testing their boundaries and pushing their equipment in an attempt to rack up a few miles, hours, days. From them, the open ocean beckons with the taste of adventure and a fascination for the unknown. “What’s interesting is what you don’t know,” says 61-year old Jean Le Cam, who is taking part in the Vendée Globe for the fifth time. “You are constantly questioning yourself to avoid getting bored.” More than a race, the Vendée Globe is the ultimate adventure. The skippers hunger to get out of their comfort zone and exceed their limits, and it is their story that fascinates the spectators. This race is one of the rare sporting events where completing the single-handed non-stop round the world race is seen as a remarkable accomplishment in and of itself. Join our Vendée Globe 2020 narrator Loïck Peyron as he uncovers why the race, even for veterans like Le Cam, is a once in a lifetime adventure. Episode 4: The Solo Experience Singlehanded ocean racing is demanding and not for the faint of heart. It is a profession that requires a certain state of mind and a great ability to adapt. “It may not sound like much but being alone changes your state of mind,” says Clarisse Crémer, who is taking part in her first Vendée Globe. In addition to taking on all the roles on board and managing your mind, stress, sleep and the unexpected, you also have to accept that you are not always at 100%,” admits Kevin Escoffier, who is embarking on his first solo circumnavigation after many years as an ocean racing crew member. “If the wind is different from what is expected, you have to deal with it and choose sleep over perfection for a few hours.” Today, ocean racing has become much more competitive than it was in the early days of the regattas. Modern boats are equipped with an impressive technological arsenal that almost forces skippers to hide inside their boat and think about their strategy all the time. In this fourth episode, Loïck Peyron looks back at the history of sailors venturing onto the sea. This week’s special guests include Escoffier, Jean Le Cam, and Vendée Globe rookie Clarisse Crémer, who will soon be departing for the solo, non-stop, and without assistance competitive journey around the world. Episode 5: The Women of the Vendée Globe A record of six women are included on the 33 skipper roster for the Vendée Globe 2020. This is historic, considering only seven women have participated, and six have ever completed the race since its inception in 1989. This trend is a reflection of what we’re seeing elsewhere in sailing, as more women take on leadership positions and compete at the highest level of the sport. The IMOCA is a big boat with big gear, and female sailors bring a unique approach to solo sailing. Our fifth episode of the Vendée Globe video series features their story. Loïck Peyron is joined by Clarisse Crémer and Isabelle Joschke to discuss how these six women will approach this great adventure around the world. Episode 6: The IMOCA Engine Above Deck Among the 33 skippers who will be advancing tomorrow, Sunday, November 8th, from Sables-d’Olonne at 13:02 CET, 22 are equipped with North Sails 3Di, (17 have a full inventory and 5 have a partial inventory). Onboard their IMOCA, the skippers will cover 40,075 km, which will take up to three months to reach the finish line. Episode 6 of our Vendée Globe video series drops just in time for the start of this around-the-world adventure. In this episode, we have a masterclass on the sails that power the super-charged IMOCAs. Charal skipper Jérémie Beyou, and PRB skipper Kevin Escoffier join North sail designers Quentin Ponroy and Yann Andrillon on the evolution of sails and what it takes to outfit the latest generation foiler. Episode 7: As the Fleet Set Off “We know when we are departing, but we do not know when we will return,” recalls Loïck Peyron in this seventh and last episode of our Vendée Globe video series. Although an absent crowd marked the 9th edition’s departure, emotions ran high on Sunday, November 8th. Each skipper acknowledges the incredible magnitude of this race: their story, their challenge, their competition, but also the team, sponsor, and the public with whom they will share their adventure that is full of moments of joy or sadness. Because completing the Vendée Globe remains an incredible achievement, the arrival home to the Sables d’Olonne after three months at sea is a moment as emotional as the start. READ MORE

NORTH SAILS LANSERAR HELIX-RULLSEGEL ÄVEN FÖR CRUISING Nu finns det ett enklare sätt att öka prestandan North Sails är glada över att kunna erbjuda världens cruisingseglare en ny typ av segel. Helix Rullgennacker har ett kraftupptagande förlik som gör att man slipper den tunga förlikskabel som tidigare har behövts på rullbara segel. Resultatet är världens mest pålitliga och lättanvända top-down-rullsegel för cruising. Det speciellt utformade förliket i Helix Rullgennacker förbättrar seglets aerodynamiska egenskaper och ger helt nya möjligheter att skapa en modern segelgarderob. Våra cruising-rullsegel är lättare, enklare att hantera och mer tillförlitliga än traditionella rullsegel utrustade med tunga anti-torsionskablar. Dessutom kan de användas i ett bredare spektrum av vindvinklar, och sammantaget innebär detta att du kan minimera antalet segel ombord. "Vad de behöver är ett enkelt och lätt segel som gör det möjligt att segla öppna undanvindar. Genom att applicera Helix-teknologin på ett segel liknande en G1-allround-gennacker har vi lyckats skapa ett undanvindssegel som är lätt att trimma, lätt att rulla in och ut och lätt att stuva undan.” Konceptet bakom Helix Rullgennacker utvecklades på ett designmöte under 2019, berättar JB Braun, North Sails chef för design och utveckling. ”Helix var synonymt med snabba och tillförlitliga rullsegel för kappsegling i ofta ganska aggressiva vindvinklar. Men de flesta cruisingseglare seglar på ett helt annat sätt. Vad de behöver är ett enkelt och lätt segel som gör det möjligt att segla öppna undanvindar. Genom att applicera Helix-teknologin på ett segel liknande en G1-allround-gennacker har vi lyckats skapa ett undanvindssegel som är lätt att trimma, lätt att rulla in och ut och lätt att stuva undan.” Helix Rullgennacker tillverkas i en rad olika material – från vävd polyester till 3Di – vilket gör det möjligt att ta fram skräddarsydda lösningar för såväl små familjebåtar som superyachts och allt däremellan. Seglet kan om så önskas förses med ett lätt men effektivt UV-skydd. 2016 bestämde sig North Sails för att satsa stora resurser på utveckling av cruisingsegel, och resultatet har inte låtit vänta på sig. Sedan 2017 har vi lanserat tre banbrytande cruisingrelaterade produkter: 3Di NORDAC, 3Di OCEAN 370 och en grundlig uppdatering av hela 3Di OCEAN-sortimentet. Helix Rullgennacker är det senaste exemplet på hur utvecklingen av segel för kappsegling på högsta nivå även kommer till nytta för den stora massan vanliga nöjesseglare. Helix Rullgennacker går nu att beställa för leverans till våren 2021. Kontakta ditt närmaste North-loft för mer information! PRODUCT DETAILS REQUEST A QUOTE FIND AN EXPERT READ MORE

NORTH SAILS TILFØJER HELIX TEKNOLOGI TIL CRUISINGSEJL Vi introducerer brugervenlighed og høj ydeevne North Sails introducerer Helix teknologi til tursejlere. Med Helix Rulle Gennaker får man som standard et ultralet high-end Future Fibre kabel, som er det sikreste, mest brugervenlige og mest pålidelige "top-down" rulle-sejl til cruising på markedet. Helix teknologien med "Structured Luff" ændrer hvordan sejlet flyver og er fremtiden i den moderne sejlgarderobe. Vores Helix tursejl med struktureret forlig giver en mere sikker og pålidelig rulning end et sejl med traditionelle anti-torsions kabler, da det er let og med ”top-down” systemet sikrer en altid ukompliceret rulning af sejlet, uanset vindstyrke og vindvinkel. Det reducerer antallet af sejl du har brug for ombord, hvilket gør Helix sejl til den perfekte tilføjelse til din cruising sejlgarderobe. "Ved at indarbejde et Helix Structured Luff-system i et G1-stil sejl, har vi skabt et sejl der er let håndterligt, let at rulle og let at stuve af vejen, som er konstrueret til cruisingsejlads med vinden."” Helix Rulle Gennaker konceptet blev udviklet på et designmøde tilbage i 2019, forklarer JB Braun, chef for 'Design and Engineering'. "Vi diskuterede hvordan Helix-sejl leverer high-performance og enkel furling til kapsejlerne. Men en tursejler sejler typisk ikke de samme høje vindvinkler, så de har oftest brug for et sejl til dybe vinkler og helst uden kompleksiteten på grund af tunge sejl. Ved at indarbejde et Helix Structured Luff-system i et G1-stil sejl, har vi skabt et sejl der er let håndterligt, let at rulle og let at stuve af vejen, som er konstrueret til cruisingsejlads med vinden." Med en række dugtyper at vælge imellem, kan Helix Rulle Gennaker nu tilpasses bådens størrelse og anvendelse: fra familiecruiseren til superyachten. Helix Structured Luff var i begyndelsen udelukkende en 3Di teknologi, men er nu tilgængelig i en række materialer, fra vævet polyester til 3Di. Som et tilvalg kan et letvægts UV-cover på fod og agterlig tilføjes på Helix Rulle Gennaker. Siden 2016 har North Sails målrettet fokuseret på produktudvikling til Cruising og tursejlads og resultaterne har været virkelig gode. North Sails har siden da lanceret tre cruising specifikke produkter såsom 3Di NORDAC, 3Di OCEAN 370 og siden foråret 2020 en fuld opdatering af hele 3Di OCEAN-produktlinjen. Helix Rulle Gennaker er det seneste eksempel på ”Helix Structured Luff” designfilosofi, hvor man tager det bedste fra kapsejlads og sejlhåndtering for at få en pålidelig, brugervenlig og performende Gennaker til tursejlads, der tager performance fra Grand Prix og kombinerer med let håndtering, der i sidste ende resulterer i det perfekte cruisingsejl. Helix Rulle Gennaker kan bestilles nu med en levering til sæsonstart. Kontakt North Sails i dag og få en snak om Helix Rulle Gennaker til din båd. PRODUKTDETALJER FÅ ET TILBUD FIND EN EKSPERT READ MORE

NORTH SAILS MAAKT HELIX TECHNOLOGIE MOGELIJK VOOR TOER GENNAKERS Hanteerbare en veelzijdige performance North Sails presenteert de Helix Furling Gennaker, een nieuw zeiltype voor toerzeilers. De Helix voorlijkstructuur maakt een zware anti-torsie kabel langs het voorlijk overbodig en is het meest betrouwbare en makkelijkst te gebruiken top-down oprolbare toerzeil ter wereld. De Helix voorlijkstructuur verandert de manier waarop een zeil projecteert en essentieel voor een moderne zeilgarderobe. Onze toerzeilen met geintegreerde voorlijkstructuur rollen beter op dan traditionele oprolbare gennakers met een zware anti-torsie kabel. Deze nieuwe zeilen zijn lichter, makkelijker te hanteren en hebben een groter wind(hoek) bereik. Hierdoor heeft u minder zeilen nodig, waardoor dit de perfecte toevoeging is aan uw zeilgarderobe. "Door de Helix structuur toe te passen voor deze zeilen ontstond een oprolbare all purpose gennaker die goed projecteert, betrouwbaar oprolt en makkelijk is om op te bergen.” Het concept voor de Helix Furling Gennaker kwam tot stand tijdens de Designers meeting in 2019, legt JB Braun, North Sails Director Design & Engineering uit. "Helix zeilen rolden snel en betrouwbaar op voor wedstrijdzeilers, maar toerzeilers varen meestal niet op deze aggressieve, hoge hoeken. Zij hebben een voor de winds zeil nodig voor diepere hoeken, zonder de complexiteit van zware, onhandelbare zeilen. Door de Helix structuur toe te passen voor deze zeilen onstond een G1-type zeil dat goed projecteert, betrouwbaar oprolt en makkelijk is om op te bergen.” De Helix Furling Gennaker is leverbaar in verschillende materialen, afhankelijk van grootte en toepassing. Hierdoor is het zeil geschikt voor alle toerzeilers, van weekend toerzeiler tot superjachten. Vroeger was de Helix structuur enkel beschikbaar in 3Di, maar nu is de Helix voorlijkstructuur beschikbaar in materialen van geweven polyester tot aan 3Di. Optioneel kan er lichtgewicht UV strook toegevoegd worden aan de Helix Furling Gennaker. Sinds 2016 is North Sails begonnen om zeilconstructies te ontwikkelen speciaal voor toerzeilers en niet zonder resultaat. 's Werelds beste zeilmaker heeft sindsdien 3 specifieke 3Di constructies voor toerzeilers ontwikkeld, 3Di NORDAC, 3DI OCEAN 370 en 3Di OCEAN 700. Sinds het voorjaar van 2020 is dit allemaal samengevoegd in een eigen 3Di OCEAN productgroep. De Helix Furling Gennaker is de laatste toevoeging en een fantastich voorbeeld van ons streven om altijd de best mogelijke technologie te leveren voor iedere zeiler. De Helix voorlijkstructuur is een ontwerpfilosofie waarmee het beste van Grand-prix wedstrijdzeilen doorontwikkeld is voor een lichtere, betrouwbaardere en gebruiksvriendelijkere gennaker speciaal voor toerzeilers. Uw Helix Furling Gennaker kan nog dit voorjaar geleverd worden. Neem contact op met uw North Sails Expert voor meer informatie. PRODUCTEIGENSCHAPPEN VRAAG EEN OFFERTE AAN VIND UW EXPERT READ MORE

ADVENTURE AWAITS ON QILAK Arctic Expeditions with North Sails 📸 Florian Ledoux Qilak owners, father and daughter Philippe and Marion Carlier, know they need dependable equipment to survive the Arctic ice onboard their purpose-built Owen Clarke 66. When we spoke to them, they were 69 degrees 29 minutes North, in Norway’s Lyngen Alps, well above the Arctic Circle. For Qilak, a combination of the right equipment and years of expertise make it possible to safely bring guests to explore high latitudes, sharing their passion for sailing and the sea. The Right Connections Why did the Carlier’s choose North Sails for arctic exploration? “I had North Sails on my three-quarter tonner, and she was fast– World Champion fast– so I’ve had confidence with the product from the very beginning,” says Philippe. But it was the relationship they built with North sailing expert Frank Gerber that cemented their decision for this project. “We all had the same understanding of what we were looking to do with the project,” says Philippe. “Frank was the key piece that tied all the parts together.” Marion says they first met Frank at The King and Queen Pub in Hamble, UK. “Frank’s mother owns it, and it quickly became our central meeting place, along with every other sailor in the area in England.” That’s also where they met Naval Architect Merfyn Owen. It was a combination of all the right people at the right time–and the right place. Philippe Marion . 📸 Florian Ledoux The Right Boat + Sails Qilak was purpose-built, and her solid aluminum hull can break through the ice. She has a retractable keel to go where larger ships cannot, an open cockpit—with heated seats and a warm cabin to take cover when underweigh. “Even the view from down below is stunning,” Marion explains. “The combination of boat design, rig, and sail plan was exactly what we needed and is why we can explore the arctic waters safely, comfortably, and with ease.” Philippe and Marion knew they needed a long-lasting sail product that was efficient through the wind ranges. It wasn’t just about getting new sails, though; it was about all the necessary systems easily working together. “The relationship we built with Frank has made this project successful,” Marion says. “He worked closely with my father–carefully listening to make sure he knew everything we were trying to accomplish with Qilak. He then bridged contact between my father and Naval Architect Merfyn Owen. North Sails made our project run smoothly, with the best sail options. They are true sail experts.” Qilak has many options when it comes to inventory. : NPL TOUR Furling Solent headsail : G2 Gennaker with Snuffer : 3Di OCEAN furling headsail. Qilak’s inventory consists of a full-batten 3Di OCEAN mainsail, NPL TOUR furling solent, 3Di OCEAN furling inner jib, NPL TOUR furling reacher, a storm jib, a storm trysail, and a G2 Gennaker with a Snuffer. They’ve got every wind range covered with their new setup. “As a retired pilot, I like when I can see my sails acting like wings,” Philippe explains. “Our 3Di mainsail is so stable. It generates a great deal of power, and you can feel it.” Qilak’s furling headsails make it possible to adjust the amount of power as needed, without clients even noticing. “We can achieve zero percent or 100 percent, or anything in between,” he continues. “It’s all done so easily. The convenience of furling headsails allows us to do so much more.” North expert Frank Gerber based in Gosport, UK commented, “I’m glad we were able to help them achieve their sailing goal and provide them with peace of mind along the way in their adventures.” Though they use their engine to reposition or avoid ice, the feeling onboard under sail is a special one, says Marion. “This is a great opportunity to teach our guests and enjoy each moment.” In the Arctic, the wind funnels through the mountains and down fjords and delivers varying conditions. “You can go from very light air to 40 knots just like that,” Marion says. “This is why we are always conservative when it comes to how many sails we have up at the same time. It’s for everyone’s safety.” Catch the last light before dark, or the first sun as it comes up over the mountains. If you are lucky, you can even see the Aurora borealis from on deck. From what we’ve heard, it’s spectacular. The Carlier’s have covered roughly 15,000 nm on Qilak, more than half the time under sail power alone. “We sail about 65% of the time, “We choose to motor sail when the high pressure is on us,” Marion explains. “We use our mainsail and our solent most because they are easy with guests and provide us stability.” Their longest passage so far is 600 miles, which took three days. Their best 24 hour run so far was 220 miles. “Very impressive for us non-racing sailors,” Marion laughs. “We saw 12.5 mph, with the wind at 15 knots. We stayed tucked into our pilot house with our heated seats. It was just a beautiful ride.” It’s All About the Adventure “We insert ourselves into nature and share the beauty of sailing and the environment with our guests,” says Philippe. Maneuvering under sail allows Qilak to get close to arctic wildlife. “We see so many amazing things,” says Marion. “Last year, we witnessed billions of herring moving back into the fjords, and behind them followed Orcas and humpback whales. Everywhere we went, whales surrounded us. We move slowly, with just our solent, and the whales and dolphins are curious. It is so quiet, we don’t have our motor on, and they come in very close to see what we are up to.” “The walrus are fascinating”, says Philippe. “They look sleepy most of the time, then all of a sudden they move and they are faster than you think. They are true torpedos in the water– magnificent animals.” Choose your adventure! Anything from sailing, trekking, climbing, kayaking, or relax down below in the onboard sauna… (yes, we said sauna!) There are also millions of Arctic tern, puffins, reindeer, and fox. “The reindeer are a bit more curious, said Philippe. “They often get within 10m if you are standing still. If they take off, it’s generally because a polar bear is near.” Greenland sharks are another common species they’ve seen while adventuring. “Have you ever seen one? This given species of shark could be over 400 years old– it’s just unbelievable, says Philippe. “I would not hesitate to swim with whales and orcas, but that shark, no way.” “One time, we had a polar bear reeling us in,” said Philippe. ” It was less than 50 meters behind us. They are beautiful animals, but we keep our distance. When you hear someone yell ‘polar bear, polar bear!’ it is no joke up here.” Charters on Qilak are scheduled around the best weather window. “Most of our guests like having a destination, but every now and then we get a group that is just there to go explore at our own pace,” says Philippe. “This allows for a sense of freedom. It’s a different experience to have no real limits. There is no race, nowhere you have to be, no other sailboats around, just you, the ice, and nature.” Qilak is built to make safe ice passages in the arctic territories. Why Qilak? The Qilak logo stands for the sky’s dome, the protective layer with all the living things under it. “We wanted to pick something that would be fitting with our project. A celestial sky and, by extension, like heaven all encompassed inside Mother Earth. We wanted to choose a name that was relatable to this arctic area of the world.” They wanted to name their boat something different, something unique. “We were speaking to an Inuit, and he asked us why we named our boat Qilak because his name was Qilak! It was funny. I guess we were not the only ones who thought it was a good name,” said Philippe. With a new year ahead, the Carlier’s stay positive and are ready to get creative to continue to follow their plans for adventure. “There is uncertainty still with the pandemic, but we’re not giving up. No matter what, we will still take on the adventure, and with a little creativity, it will still be successful,” says Philippe. Want to learn more about Qilak and how you can jump onboard? With tons of trip options, you can see parts of the world you would never have imagined. Visit Qilak’s website to learn more. Get the full tour and see her under sail here: 🎥 Courtesy of Expedition Sailing Virtual Boat Show, produced by Arctic Yachts. Thank you to 📸 Florian Ledoux for professional imagery. All other images + video links provided by guests onboard Qilak. Thank you Manta Vizbaras, Julie la Québecquoise, and Secret Atlas. To see what Qilak is up to, follow Qilak on Facebook and on Instagram. READ MORE

CONTROLLING JIB LEECH TENSION How to Effectively Finetune Your Fairleads with Fixed Positions Sailing dinghies are all unique. It is always fun to go from one one-design class to another and check out what makes them different, what controls they have, and in this case, what they might not have available for the crew to use to adjust and tune. One very important tuning device for jib trim is the fairlead position. Fairlead position defines sheeting angle for the jib, and many classes of course have adjustable fairleads; that is, the position can be moved fore and aft (or in some cases up and down, and in and out). When it gets windy, it’s often nice to be able to open the leech of the jib a little bit, and this can be achieved by moving the fairlead position aft. Conversely, moving it forward can create a more powerful shape. The 420 was designed, for better or worse, without adjustable fairleads; it is, as they say, where it is. How do you effectively move the fairlead fore and aft in a boat with fixed fairlead positions? The answer on the i420 is jib height. To achieve this, i420 sailors can raise and/or lower the height of the jib on the luff wire to achieve proper leech tension on the jib for given conditions and mast rake. You may notice boats in-between races that are capsized on their coach boat; often this is done to change jib height to match expected conditions for the next race. The peak rope fixed (and adjustable) at the head of the jib controls jib height. The boat also has an adjustable jib tack control to accommodate changes at the peak. Normally the jib should be fixed by having a proper deck sweeping effect. However, for the i420 class it is important to know the height should be adjusted to provide the optimum jib lead angle. Since, as we said, the sheeting point is fixed, you should adjust the peak rope to move the jib clew up or down to achieve the desired sheeting angle. In short, lower the jib down a bit to open the leech and ease power when the winds are up; in light winds, raise the jib for more power and jib leech return. It is also imperative to remember that mast rake also has a significant effect on jib leech tension. Raking back effectively opens the jib leech, and conversely, raking forward closes it. Don’t forget this when you tune the boat. Adding jib height to your tuning regimen can make a performance difference. Experiment, find the right balance, mark your settings, and go faster! For more information and questions on how to match your North i420 sails perfectly, please contact North Sails clas expert Tom Sitzmann. 2020 Miami One Design Development Program READ MORE

BAY OF ISLANDS SAILING WEEK: RACING YOUR CRUISER Preparing Your Yacht & Choosing The Right Set Up © Ian Roman BOISW is shaping up to be the main event with over 100 yachts registered! Divided into many different classes, sailing week looks to be a fun and competitive regatta for sailors of all kinds. Racing Performance Handicap regattas takes a little stealth sometimes. Handicaps are set by the handicapper to best of their knowledge of the boats design and recent results from a wide range of sources & places, which is not an enviable task. Some yachts are handicap bandits and some crews just know how to play the game. With 'keeper' scores without raising the attention of the Handicapper! Our North Sails experts have sailed in these mixed fleets at many regattas across Australia with varied results. Sometimes luck is on your side, and sometimes the handicapper is not. Either way, It’s all great fun and something our team looks forward to each year. With many variables in sailing outside of our control, it is important to make sure your yacht is cleaned, light, and ready to be used with ease once your sails and crew are added. Please refer to our starting points which are VIP to make sure we are as ready as we can be to take on the fleet, wind, and tides (not to mention, the handicapper!). Starter Tips Clean the bottom. Pretty simple this one... but an easy one to forget if having the “bottom done” is usually more of an annual event. A smooth bottom reduces the water friction around the hull and foils. If you don't do anything else to prepare your boat then make sure you do this. Remove Excess Weight. We love our floating home away from home with all its comforts…BUT the safety of a big anchor chain but getting the weight out of the boat, especially the ends will make the yacht more lively to sail. Removing weight will also help to reduce pitching when sailing upwind. Pitching is bad for the flow of air across the sails. Reducing weight where you can will have a positive effect across the entire wind range. Start with the Anchor & Chain, empty the water tanks, take off cruising or delivery sails.. Just have a good think of what you can do without while racing. *note: beer is not included on this list! Rig Tune. The rigs in most cruising boats are tensioned up very tight, this can make it hard to adjust the shape of the sails for the conditions of the day. Before you leave your home club ask your rigger or sailmaker to have a look at the rig to ensure it is straight side to side and how the mainsail sits on the mast in both light and windy conditions. Ideally the mast can be adjusted to allow the sail shape to be altered with the sail and rig controls as required on the day. Some small adjustments to mast trim and mainsail luff curve can make massive improvements to your performance and make the sails easier to trim. It is important to have your rig easily adjustable. Adjustable Backstay. Not all yachts come standard with an adjustable backstay, but if you have one or can up-grade to one, you will benefit from proper adjustment. The ability to tighten or loosen the backstay has a positive effect on the jib/genoa & mainsail at the same time. Tighter to de-power for a flatter main and jib when the wind is up, and Looser when we want power in the rig, a straighter mast and sagged forestay will power up the sails. Have your sailmaker make up an easy calibration stick or marks for repeatability. Code-Zero & Gennaker. A good VMG running sail and a code-zero for the “round the island” style racing are a must have item to be competitive. Being “non-rating” racing allows the use of a un-restricted mid girth gennaker, more like a big genoa which is a very efficient sail that has a wide wind range. From light airs upwind to medium air reaching the Code zero is best set on a furler tacked as far in front of the forestay as you can get ie; Bowsprit or strong point on the anchor roller. A running oriented G2 gennaker is your other downwind sail. A well designed G2 gennaker can have you sailing close to as low as a symmetrical spinnaker without the hassle of a pole, Some boats don’t quite have all the winches needed to handle the sheets & Braces for a pole anyway, so the running gennaker is a perfect fit. For a bigger boat, you might also consider having a snuffer fitted to the sail to make the hoist and drop safer and easier, you can also snuff & gybe if you are not confident to gybe when the breeze is up. Jib In-hauler and Traveller. Sheeting angle and traveller position are 2 great ways to improve the boats pointing ability, Jib tracks are placed pretty wide on many modern production boats to improve the cabin space downstairs, the downside of this is a wide sheeting angle for the jib, this directly affects the pointing ability or the “angle of attack” of the sail. An easy way to improve the sheeting angle is to have a “in-Hauler” or Barber haul system for the jib sheet. This can help narrow down the sheeting angle to a more race like 7-8 degrees from center line. Work with your sailmaker to ensure your jib has the correct clew height to suit. Another good trick that may apply if your boat does not have a traveller, is to have a handy billy purchase system that you can clip onto the boom end and the other end to the weather gunnel to bring the boom up to centerline or even slightly across without pulling the mainsheet to hard… especially handy in the lighter air to create some heel angle and rudder feel. Downwind sail Cross-Over Chart. Know when the code zero is faster than the jib or what true wind angles you can carry the A2 is also an easy way to save trial and error racing. Ask us to help you create a simple X-Y chart that shows True Wind Speed and True Wind Angle across the top and side of the page, then its as simple as matching TWA & TWS for the sail you need! Your North Team will be out there too, racing and for your support. We want you and your yacht to be ship-shape for racing. If you need anything, we are here to help. Don't hesitate to contact your local team to stay ahead of the game! READ MORE

CODE-SEJL FORKLARET Hvad er et code-sejl? Navnet ‘Code-sejl' kan betyde mange forskellige ting, afhængigt af, hvilken type sejler du er. Hvad der startede som et ligetil, men innovativt koncept, har hurtigt udviklet sig til en helt ny kategori af sejl. Mens Code-sejlet både kan se ud og opføre sig vidt forskelligt, er der et fælles tema: Code-sejl er hurtige, flade, fritflyvende sejl, designet til tætte vindvinkler. For at forstå alle de forskellige navne og versioner, kan det være en hjælp at se tilbage på oprindelsen af denne type sejl. Oprindeligt var "Code Zeros" designet til at måle inde som en spiler under forskellige måle regler, der krævede et midter mål på 75% af fodlængden. Volvo Ocean Race opfandt udtrykket Code Zero, som passer ind i den allerede etablerede North Sails-kodning af flyvende forsejl som for eksempel asymmetriske spilere. A1, A2, A3 osv. Code Zero sejl designet blev også populært blandt handicap sejladser under regler som IRC, ORC og DH - målereglen. Da sejlets effektivitet og brugervenlighed blev mere og mere tydelig, udvidede begrebet Code-sejl sig også til cruising sejlads. Multihull-sejlere har altid kaldt deres specialiseret high performance reaching sejl “Screechers”. Code-sejl tilføre et stort sejlareal og en masse power til tætte vindvinkler. Både med ikke-overlappende forsejl (Fok) har den største fordel ved at bruge Code-sejl, da disse sejl bedre udfylder behovet for sejlads på kryds og sejlads med spiler. Når du køber et code-sejl, er det vigtigt at tage dine bådegenskaber i betragtning (stabiliteten), ønskede vindvinkler, vindhastigheder, sejlhåndteringssystemer (rulle system) samt vælge den rigtige sejldug - så sejlet kan tilpasses dine specifikke behov. REQUEST A QUOTE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL EXPERT LEARN MORE ABOUT CODE SAILS Code Zero Asymmetrisk Spiler - Midt bredte mål med (SMG) >75% Konceptet i dette sejl er stort set det samme, som den oprindelige Code Zero derfor navnet (Code Zero Asymmetrisk Spiler). Design kravet her, er det fladest mulige sejl til trods for et midt-brede mål på mere en 75%. Her er udfordringen at designe og bygge et sejl der overholder 75% midt/halv bredde målet (SMGA) af fodlængden og samtidig have en faconen der er tilstrækkelig flad så sejlet er effective på tætte vindvinkler. Code Zero´en har en meget stor kappe på grund af den store midt bredde, der begrænser sejlet i at sejle højere end 45° AWA. Code Zero Asymmetrisk Spiler laves i 3Di DOWNWIND eller Code aramid laminat-duge. Helix er en specialiseret sejl teknologi, udviklet af North Sails belastningsfordelings-teknologi. Helix er nu tilgængelig for Code Sejl, Genoa-staysails, Spiler-staysails, Jib top, Blast reachers og andre specielle fritflyvende for-sejl. Helix-strukturen er designet til at håndtere og fordele belastninger imellem sejlet og forligs strukturen og samtidig kunne give tilstrækkeligt drejningsmoment til at kunne rulle sejlet. Helix-sejl er mere alsidige, fra let vind til hårdvind med et bred vindområde. Helix-struktur og optimeret facon resulterer i sejl, der kan rulles, der er nemme at trimme, og som står roligt med et fremadrettet projekteret areal. For mere information, se Helix Blue Paper. Code 55 + 65 (SMG 51%-74%) En Code 55 har et midt brede mål på 55% (SMG), mens en Code 65 har et midt brede mål på 65%(SMG). (SMG er midt bredden af under-ligets længden). Code-sejl med en midt-bredde mellem 50% og 70% er meget effektive og alsidige forsejl. Disse sejl bliver dog undervurderet hvis ikke ligefrem forbudt af visse handicap måleregler regler. Til offshore kapsejlads, multihull sejlads og cruising, giver disse Code sejl ren fart og sejlglæde. En mindre SMG-procentdel indebærer et fladere sejl til at sejle tættere vindvinkler med, mens en højere SMG-procentdel giver et lidt dybere sejl til dybere vindvinkler. En SMG mindre end 51% betragtes som en genua, mens en SMG på mere end 74% betragtes som en spiler. Frit Flyvende Genua (SMG<50%) Ikke alle fritflyvende rullesejl betragtes som Code-sejl. Hvis et overlappende forsejl skal skødes hårdt og bruges til kryds, er det en genua. Genoa til kryds har agterligs-orienteret sejl structure, hvor Code Sejl har forligs-oriented sejl structure. "Fritflyvende" forsejl er defineret i Equipment Rules of Sailing som et sejl sat uden at forliget på sejlet er fastgjort til riggen. Som følge heraf skal fritflyvende forsejl oftest have et Anti- Torsion tov, hvis sejlet skal kunne rulles. A3 Helix Furling Gennaker Code - Mid Girth (SMG) 75-85% Dette er et andet populær kapsejlads sejl. Faconen er midt i mellem en Code Zero og en traditionel A3 og kan laves i enten 3Di, laminat dug eller en let polyester spilerdug. A3 Helix kan ikke sejle så højt og tæt til vinden som en Code Zero, men er et godt alternativ hvis man kun ønske et flyvesejl som dækker et stor vind spectrum. REQUEST A NEW SAIL QUOTE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL EXPERT READ MORE

NORTH SAILS RELEASES NEW T-10 TUNING GUIDE Maximize Your T-10 Performance For Different Conditions 📸 Dave Mathias The North Sails T-10 team is excited to release a brand new Tuning Guide for 2021. The T-10 can be a simple boat to sail, however it can be rather difficult to sail the boat to its full potential and have that extra edge over your competitors. Our new Tuning Guide focuses on the importance of setting your T-10 up for the different sailing conditions such as flat water vs. chop. When tuning your T-10, it is important to know how your mast bends and reacts to rig tune changes. It is also important to know exactly what to look for when tuning in different conditions or as the conditions change throughout the sailing day. Our new Tuning Guide will walk you through the whole process of tuning, from getting your mast inline with your keel for optimized tack to tack performance, to knowing how to power up/de-power the rig as conditions change. The hardest part of rig tune on any boat is knowing what changes need to be made and when to make them. Visual Tuning The new Tuning Guide is based on visual tuning. The concept of looking at your leeward shroud tension while sailing upwind, as well as sighting up the mast to visually see if the mast is bending side to side, if the top of the mast is falling off to leeward, or if the mast is straight in a side-to-side plane. Visual Tuning also involves looking at your headstay tension, or headstay sag. The T-10 being a deck step mast, your upper and lower shroud tension becomes critical in controlling your headstay sag. In some conditions such as flat water, you will want to sail with a tighter headstay. That will allow you to trim the headsail in more, which will allow you to point higher. This can be achieved by sailing with a tighter rig tension. In other conditions, such as medium air and chop, you will want to sail with more headstay sag to make the Jib deeper and more powerful. This can be achieved by sailing with a loser rig tension. Live Webinar – Sign Up! To learn more about our new Tuning Guide and Visual Tuning, sign up for our T-10 Webinar on Wednesday, January 13th, at 19:30 EST. T-10 Class experts Nick Turney and Perry Lewis will share critical updates to the Tuning Guide and explain in more detail the concept of Visual Tuning on the water. Nick and Perry will also discuss the differences between a one-jib program and a two-jib program, the advantages and disadvantages for either. Sail designer Mike Marshall will present the difference between 3Di, 2D string sails, and paneled sails. Sail expert Allan Terhune will moderate the webinar. VIEW NEW TUNING GUIDE SIGN-UP FOR WEBINAR 📸 Dave Mathias READ MORE

SITTING DOWN WITH THE AMERICA’S CUP COMMENTATING CREW Shirley Robertson Ken Read and Nathan Outteridge Share Insights Ahead of the Prada Cup 📸 Carlo Borlenghi / America’s Cup North Sails President Ken Read, Olympic gold medalist and foiling expert Nathan Outteridge, and two-time Olympic gold medalist Shirley Roberston are all part of the commentating team who are helping us follow the 36th America’s Cup. Shirley sat down with Ken and Nathan for a recent episode of her podcast. The team does a deep dive, providing their insider view on the World Series racing to date, and weighing up the strengths of each of the three Challengers. As the Prada Cup draws near, they dissect the performance of the three Challenger teams, looking at where each team may be able to improve and discuss some of the design differences apparent in each of their setups. Listen below and get up to speed on all things America’s Cup. READ MORE

2020 INTERNATIONAL 420 US NATIONALS Congratulations Tommy Sitzmann & Luke Woodworth The i420 Class doesn’t wait long to crown a National Champion! After a grueling 4-day regatta, with some moderate winds at the beginning and then 3 days of more (and more) wind, congratulations to the 2020 i420 National Championship team of Tommy Sitzmann/Luke Woodworth. According to their parents, these two student-athletes have worked hard, combining top-level sail training along with school and other sports. Team Outfit Sailing, led by Miami-based coach Lior Lavie, swept the podium, taking the top 3 finish positions. North Sails powered the top three finishers, and the sails worked incredibly well in a varied conditions from marginal trapping, to full-on heavy air. We continue to study i420 boat sail design and tuning, and we’d love to help you go faster. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions! READ MORE

NORTH SAILS GROWS IN FLORIDA Veteran Racer Paul Abdullah Helps Expand North Sails Presence in Greater St Augustine Area Champion racer Paul Abdullah is expanding the North Sails presence in North Florida with an increased focus on cruising and club racing sailors. Working in concert with Peter Grimm and Bob Meagher of North Sails Ft. Lauderdale, Abdullah's expanded hands-on presence in the area will help clients enjoy North Sails unique cruising and racing products. Abdullah grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, and started sailing in dinghies at a young age and with his father in various PHRF boats. At 18, he got his first Thistle, beginning his journey to where he is today. Abdullah competes across various one-design and PHRF class platforms and has won 16 National, North American, and World championships. Now he's applying his lifetime knowledge of sailing to help cruisers enjoy their boats more. Abdullah's goals are simple. He wants to help all sailors get the most out of their boats and introduce new people to sailing to expand access to the lifelong sport he enjoys. He met his wife Marie sailing Thistle one designs, and they both compete together often. Abdullah is supporting clients throughout St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach, Palm Bay, and Daytona Beach areas, serving cruising and racing clients. Providing top-quality North Sails products and service is always at the forefront of his mind. Interested in sails or help with your boat? Clients can contact Paul Abdullah at 904-571-6051 or by email at paul.abdullah@northsails.com. READ MORE

Jedna neobična godina došla je kraju! 📸 regate.com.hr Za 2020. mnogi će se složiti da je godina koju treba zaboraviti, ali vjerojatno će zbog te odluke mnogima ostat u sjećanju, istina lošem, ali što je tu je... nadajmo se da će iduća biti mnogo bolja i ugodnija! Ograničenja zbog Korone bila su na snazi do svibnja kad se kao prva regata u novozapočetoj sezoni organizira Komiška regata. Regata je održana u jednakom formatu kao i ranijih godina, a također i u originalnom terminu. Za North Sails klijente to je bila više nego dobra regata, pa je najbrža jedrilica generalno bio Polet Furioso, a s mjestima na postolju mogli su se pohvaliti i Mila 8, Gringo 3, Mareus 2 - Poliklinika Drinković, Mr.J, Big Grin... Zatim slijedi najpopularnija regata dvojaca na Jadranu, Sušac 100x2. Ovogodišnji start s čak 54 jedrilice bio je stvarno lijep prizor, a također i kasniji pogled na rezultate. Pobjedu i u realnom vremenu i po premjeru odnosi Dubrovnik, dok je Swan Club 36 - Bracing Breeze na drugom mjestu. Toto Travel je četvrti, a Gracious Style peti itd. 📸 regate.com.hr Što se tiče Dalmacije, tu je uslijedila pauza do Južnodalmatinske regate na kojoj se okupilo 18 posada od kojih je većina bila izrazito sportski nastrojena. Ponovno su naši klijenti imali više nego zapažen nastup i pokazalo se da neovisno o godištu jedrilice, ako imate naša jedra možete planirati penjanje na jednu od stepenica pobjedničkog postolja. Nakon konačnog zbrajanja rezultata Mareus 2 - Poliklinika Drinković osvaja ukupno drugo mjesto, Gringo 3 završava na trećem, Mr.J je peti, Lero je drugi u prvoj etapi, a Dubrovnik s maksimalno pomlađenom posadom drugi u trećoj etapi. Za to vrijeme na sjevernom dijelu hrvatske strane Jadrana jedri se niz regata koje se boduju za Kup hrvatskog primorja na kojem dominira Damaco koji je ove sezone kompletno obnovio North Sails "ormar". Pred kraj ljeta na Lošinju se organizirala jedna od regata Kupa hrvatskog primorja na kojoj su uz Kvarnerske jedriličare jedrilo i nekoliko krstaša iz južnih krajeva. Regata je bila dosta teška zbog uvjeta nestabilnog vjetra, ali NS jedra rade dobro svoj posao i u sam vrh dovode Damaco i Gringo 3. Ubrzo nakon Lošinjske regate, u novom terminu, organizira se ovogodišnja Fiumanka. 130 jedrilica na startu, predvođenih apsolutnim favoritom Molom Longom, borilo se s tradicionalnom bezvjetricom Riječkog zaljeva. Naravno, najvisočiji jarbol hvatao je zračna gibanja nedostižna jedrilicama normanijih dimenzija i time imao izrazitu prednost pred ostalima, ali zato su Damaco i Tacit Consent uspješno hvatali priključak za njim i ponovno pokazali da je oznaka North Sailsa na jedrima stvarno pokazatelj kvalitete i u tim, skoro pa nemogućim, uvjetima. Iza nje odjedrila se najmasovnija dalmatinska regata, 89. Mrduja. Uvjeti slični onima u Rijeci, ali s mnogo više sunca i bez kiše i jednako zahtjevna za navigatore prijavljenih 150 jedrilica. Koliko je teško bilo na moru kazuje podatak da je kompletnu rutu odjedrilo samo 39 posada, dok je do pomoćnog cilja na Mrduji dojedrilo 65 posada. Pobjedu u realnom vremenu odnosi Polet Furioso. Odmah iza njega završavaju Molo Longo i Toto Travel, potom momci s jedrilice Mareus 3 - Poliklinika Drinković koji su završili na korak do postolja, na šestom mjestu završava posada Bare V, sedmi je Barba Branko, osmi Damaco, a deveti Gringo 3. 📸 regate.com.hr I posljednja velika regata krstaša koju organizira JK Labud bila je u znaku naših jedara i naših zadovoljnih klijenata. Naravno, riječ je o Viškoj regati koja se ove godine nije jedrila do Visa, već do Starog Grada na otoku Hvaru, pa je shodno tome prigodno promijenila naziv u Pa(v)iška regata. Ovog puta line of honor odnosi Mareus 3 - Poliklinika Drinković, a treća najbrža jedrilica je Polet Furioso, dok je Dubrovnik završio na četvrtom mjestu, Overload na petom i Bare V na šestom. Što se tiče bodovanja po ORC-u, Dubrovnik je ovog puta bio naš najuspješniji predstavnik s drugim mjestom nakon bodovanja obiju etapa zajedno. Zadarska koka bila je još jedna organizacijska uspješnica vremenskim prilikama unatoč. 59 jedrilica jedrilo je ispred Zadarske rive i u popriličnoj gužvi regatnih jurilica u vrhu flote završavaju Gringo 3, Damaco, Lucky, Mr.J... Potom slijedi jedina isključivo ORC regata sezone 2020. JK Val je organizirao Prvenstvo Hrvatske na kojem je bilo prijavljeno 10 jedrilica, od kojih je samo 8 odjedrilo cijelu regatu, a još 6 posada je otkazalo sudjelovanje u posljednji tren zbog desetkovanja posada uzrokovanih Kovid samoizolacijama. Jedrilice koje su zajedrile u Zlarinskom akvatoriju imale su izvrsne uvjete za jedrenje i osim uobičajenih štapova jedrile su i jedan navigacijski plov. North Sails klijenata je ovog puta bilo čak šest, a najuspješniji od njih bio je Damaco, koji je s ovom regatom zaokružio jednu vrlo uspješnu sezonu. 📸 regate.com.hr I za kraj trebamo spomenuti jedinu off shore regatu koja se ove godine jedrila u jesenskom periodu. Riječ je o 2. Susku, regati koja se organizira za dvojce i posade. Ove godine se nije odjedrila kompletna ruta zbog iznimno jake rute, a jedrilica zbog koje nam je i ova regata posebno zanimljiva bila je ponovno Damaco, čija dvočlana posada je odnijela pobjedu i u realnom vremenu i po ORC-u i u kategoriji dvojaca i u apsolutnoj kategoriji. Za razliku od ostalih regata, na ovoj su koristili "obična" dacron jedra, a ne karbonska kao na ostalim regatama! I za kraj najzanimljiviji dio, koja NS jedra koriste jedrilice o kojima ste čitali: Dubrovnik: glavno jedro, flokovi, genakeri Damaco: glavna jedra, flokovi, genakeri Bracing Breeze: glavno jedro, flokovi, genakeri Tacit Consent: glavno jedro, flokovi, genakeri Gracious Style: glavno jedro, flokovi, genakeri Lucky: glavno jedro, flokovi, genakeri Mr.J: glavno jedro, flokovi, genakeri Bare V: glavno jedro, flokovi, genakeri Gringo 3: glavno jedro, flokovi, genakeri Mareus 2 Poliklinika Drinković: glavno jedro, flokovi, genakeri Mareus 3 Poliklinika Drinković: genakeri Polet Furioso: glavno jedro, flokovi, genakeri Molo Longo: 3Di flokovi Toto Travel: flokovi Barba Branko: glavno jedro, flokovi, genakeri Mila 8: flokovi i genakeri 📸 regate.com.hr READ MORE

WE’RE LEAVING 2020 AT THE DOCK Cheers to the New Year and a Fresh Perspective 📸 The Ocean Race We’re starting the new year cautiously optimistic for what lies ahead. A global pandemic is an event none of us expected or had prepared for, but there were bright spots that we hope to carry forward into 2021. First of all, this is an exciting time in sailing. We have a trifecta of adrenaline-pumping events – the Vendee Globe, the 36th America’s Cup, and the Ultims back on weather-watch for their Jules Verne attempt. We rarely get to play witness to some of the most exciting sailing all at once, and watching the skippers and crews handle these high-powered boats is for sure a welcome treat to close out 2020. While it’s disappointing to see many of our sailing events canceled, the effort to get on the water gave way to new opportunities. We saw a surge in interest in doublehanded racing and local sailing with friends and family. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the travel, the big-crew programs, and winning a regatta on the world stage. In a sense, 2020 brought us all back to grassroots sailing, and you know what, it was fantastic. It was simple, fun, and personally, it reminded me why I love our sport. And finally, thank you to the North Sails team worldwide, both employees and our clients. This past year was an exercise in patience, hard work, and teamwork. We move into 2021, looking forward to the new year. See you on the water. READ MORE

ITALIAN OWNER ROBERTO LACORTE PRESENTS FLYINGNIKKA The First New Generation Foil Mini Maxi Designed by a Team of Specialists Captained by Naval Architect Mark Mills Republished with permission from the FlyingNikka Team Futuristic, unique, extraordinary. A real “weapon”, ready to amaze from the first day it touches the water in middle of 2022. FlyingNikka is the new highly anticipated boat by Roberto Lacorte, a successful entrepreneur with a passion for regattas – with the Mini Maxi SuperNikka he has won everything possible, including four Maxi titles in Porto Cervo and the FIV Owner-Helmsman of the Year, followed by victory in the first year of the new Persico 69F foiling monohull circuit. FlyingNikka is something unique, unprecedented, a dive into the sailing of the third millennium which, as is clear from the main sailing events in progress – the Vendée Globe round the world and the America’s Cup regattas – no longer sails on water but flies above it. 19 meters long, equipped with latest generation appendages that allow foiling in excess of 40 knots, FlyingNikka is being designed by a team coordinated by Irish designer Mark Mills of Mills Design. She will be the first foiling Mini Maxi in the world, an evolution suitable for longer trips than the current AC75, with which to compete in coastal and offshore races in record time. “It will be a different boat, the first of a new generation that will definitely set sail in the coming years. We are the first, with the pros and cons of the case, but my professional and sporting life has always been marked by innovation and the desire to explore, so I could only take this direction”, explains Roberto Lacorte, also involved in motorsport with the Cetilar Racing team driving his Dallara prototype, including four years at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. “We have been working on the project for a long time, with Mark Mills and the professionals with whom I have shared many victories with SuperNikka and the Persico 69F circuit. Now we know which path to take precisely and we are ready. I can count on an exceptional group, which is making a fundamental contribution to the realization of FlyingNikka. And it is the most important aspect, when you embark on an undertaking like this, outside the comfort zone, which might even seem a bit crazy”. Alessio Razeto, Team Manager and Head of the Sails Project, Lorenzo Bressani, Enrico Zennaro, Andrea Fornaro and Lorenzo de Felice are the five, experienced and titled sailors who together with Lacorte himself, the Commander of the boat Fabrizio Turini and the design team set up by Mark Mills and the Project Manager Micky Costa, will work closely on the development of the innovative FlyingNikka project until the day of launch, scheduled for the middle of 2022, with the colors of the Yacht Club Repubblica Marinara di Pisa. Designer Mark Mills is very enthusiastic about this new direction: “Mills Design is proud to be developing the most exciting new design project outside of the America’s Cup. The vision of repeat client and Italian Owner of the Year Roberto Lacorte is to be the first to have a Mini-Maxi sized foiler capable of coastal racing and to bring true big boat foiling performance to a wider audience. This will take the lessons and some of the technology from the America’s Cup AC75 foiling monohull and put them together in a more user friendly and cost-effective package which can sail in a wider range of conditions. Given the very challenging design brief we assembled a team of specialists to ensure we could deliver Roberto’s vision. Among the 10-man group are members with experience of 3 of the 4 AC teams currently competing in Auckland. Our R&D Partners KND provide the analytical tools to evaluate the novel design topography, with aero input from North Sails design specialists, while Pure Engineering provides their relentless drive and technical knowledge to produce the lightest and most reliable platform. The initial six months of preliminary design work has been focused on validating the concept, using the TNZ-developed Gomboc dynamic simulator and the North Sails VPP to evaluate various configurations and foil geometries both when flying and in displacement mode. Led by founder Gio Belgrano, Pure have developed an entirely new wing articulation solution to reduce foil cost and improve reliability appropriate to a project operating outside the rarefied conditions of the America’s Cup. Our vision for the design is a robust simple platform able to foil in winds below 10 knots true, and capable of passing the various requirements for entry into mainstream race events, such as WS Offshore Special Regs categorisation including stability. The need for limited Archimedean sailing in sub-optimal wind speeds and increased contact with the sea surface in a wave pattern leads to a hull shape differentiated from its AC75 siblings by greater concern for wetted surface. Powered controls and winches assisted by a flight augmentation system reduce the burdens on the 5 man crew, allowing the helm to focus on steering without also having to directly control ride height. Now that the project is moving at full speed, the design team is focusing on development and optimisation of the design geometry and systems. Over the next three months the hull, deck, and crew configuration will be finalised prior to the commencement of construction. Builder selection is at an advanced stage, guided by experienced Project Manager Micky Costa who fills a crucial role linking the designers, builder, and sailing team to produce a reliable, simple and effective sailing machine”. A boat ready to amaze – which will be able to race with an ORC certificate thanks to the close collaboration with the Offshore Racing Congress for the definition of the VPP relating to full foil boats – of which the first technical details will be revealed in the coming months, in addition to name of the construction site and of the members of the design team. In the meantime, the crew will be engaged again in the Persico 69F circuit with the two “small” FlyingNikka 47 and 74, as confirmed by Team Manager Alessio Razeto. “We will have to defend the first and second places won this year. And continue to accumulate specific experience on foils, a constantly evolving world that must be followed daily and on which there is still so much to learn. Our experience on the Persico 69F ”, continues Razeto,“ was very important in this first phase of conception of the new project, because the contribution of those who go by boat is crucial. And ours is a very high level sailing team ”. READ MORE

FIRST IMPRESSIONS FROM A SAIL DESIGNER What Did JB Braun See During the America’s Cup World Series? Ask a sail designer what they saw during the America’s Cup World Series, and you won’t be surprised by their answer – sails of course! JB Braun, our Director of Design and Engineering, is a six-time Cup veteran and one of the most respected sail designers in the world. Like many of us around North Sails, he was glued to his screen last week to watch the action unfold on the water in Auckland. We asked JB to share his unique perspective on this edition of the Cup and how the North-powered engine above deck helps the AC75s fly. READ MORE

CRUISING THE PNW WITH KIDS Sailing Fun And Adventure For The Whole Family Jamie and Cathy Copeland cruise the PNW with their two kids Will and Belle. Jamie and Cathy are both airline pilots and the founders of the Online Booking Platform www.swiftharbour.com and the home organization app for iPhones www.housemanual.app. How did you and Cathy get into cruising? Jamie - My folks had long been into the sailing and racing scene after moving to Vancouver from Antigua. In 1985 after selling his portion of Specialty Yachts, my father picked up the family Beneteau First 38 Bagheera in France and we started a 6 1/2 year circumnavigation. I was 2 when we started, and I've found that my passion for boating has only really increased with time. Cathy - I was born and raised in Winnipeg, so cruising and racing was not a natural thing for me. My Aunt and Uncle cruised offshore and we had spent time on their boat, but it certainly wasn't something I did much of before Jamie and I met. Within 6 months of meeting in Smithers, BC, Jamie and I were in the Caribbean cruising on Bagheera, and that was the beginning of my falling in love with boating. What type of boats have you owned and what is your favourite? Jamie - We started with a Martin 242 that we used to race and occasionally camper cruise on. It was a great boat for us as a couple, and great for Cathy to learn on. From there, with the arrival of our firstborn, Will, we moved into our Beneteau First 285, Sundowner. The 285 is a small, big boat, with an inboard diesel, running water, proper head with holding tank and separated cabins. It's a lot of boat for a 28 footer, and the majority of our family cruising memories were on Sundowner. We lived on her for 2 months of summer cruising in 2015, with a 3-year-old and a 10-month-old, and it was magical. Cathy and I were doing so much flying locally at the time and Sundowner gave us the chance to explore all the areas we were flying over from the water. We loved that boat and I still check on her when I'm in False Creek where her current owners keep her looking beautiful. What boat are you currently cruising on? Cathy - In 2017, Jamie's parents began pondering the idea of selling Bagheera, which by this point was back in Vancouver after approximately 115,000 nm of offshore cruising visiting 114 countries with no plans for more. After some family discussions, we elected to sell Sundowner and purchase Bagheera to keep her in the family. Bagheera has been a nice upgrade for us. She is very comfortable in heavy seas, sails beautifully and has a lot more space than we were ever used to in our previous boats. She is great for longer-term provisioning so we can get away for longer and also take guests. The more we get to know her, the more we love her. What are your favourite family cruising spots? Jamie - I think we share many popular favourites with the local cruising community in the Southern Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, San Juans etc. There is just so much to love cruising in these waters that are so unique to this part of the world. After flying up and down the coast, and now overseas, Cathy and I have come to realize how lucky we are with the destination options at our doorstep in BC. Cathy - So much of our cruising is now influenced by the experiences that our kids will enjoy and the somewhat limited time we have off in the summers (the historical busy season in the airline world). Locally we've had some magical experiences on the little beach on the north side of Montague Harbour, stern tying in Princess Cove on Wallace Island, enjoying the summer scene in Plumper Cove, and visiting the numerous communities in southern BC by the sea. One of our top spots, if we have a bit more time, is Princesses Louisa Inlet, and of course, along with most boaters we always endeavour to visit Desolation in the summer. Any tips or tricks for parents wanting to start cruising with kids? Cathy - Firstly, for anyone new to cruising, the more you do it, the easier it gets. It's the first few times that feel daunting, but it just gets better and better. Second is the high-level importance of safety. There is a solution for every stage of development for kids. You can, with creativity, child-proof for any age. We had both kids on the boat as newborns, through the toddler stage and beyond. The key is not to commit to one style of doing things and to keep adapting with your kids. A trick we have learned is the power of audiobooks on long passages. The kids seem to soak them up and it's a nice way for them to enjoy a day at sea in a unique way. We also have little boats (and an airplane) that we often tow behind the big boat and the kids have spend hours jumping them over waves and making them bob in the wake. Jamie - Spending so much time around boats in my life I've heard a lot of first-hand stories about safety issues at sea and been part of a few too. The theme always is that safety always needs to be taken seriously and be at the front of one's mind on a boat, particularly with kids. We take quite a conservative approach overall and focus on both ensuring the kids are well supervised, have knowledge of risks (as age-appropriate) and operate carefully. They live in their life jackets, we often have them wearing life harness teathers connected to a padeye or jackline. We have some quite strict rules about where they can go and what they can do while underway particularly if the sails are up, and ensure that they understand the why's of how things operate, what's safe and what's not. On a lighter note, kids soak up the passion we all feel for being on the water and almost always embrace that passion themselves. There are so many fun activities to do. Boating is one of the few pastimes that seems universally fun for all ages - even teenagers seem to enjoy cruising with parents - and something that they very likely could continue for life. It's such a cool thing. You grew up racing on the RVYC sailing team, do you still race and what are your favourite races to do these days? Jamie - Yes, but never as well as I would like. We were a pretty strong team of little sailors on the Royal Van Race Team back in 90s and I would love to race on one-design circuits again and refine my craft. The racing we do now is a lot of fun though, and in normal years I charter a boat with 3 other old race team friends which is a blast. Cathy and I also love participating in the Round Bowen Race hosted by one of all time favourites the Union Steamship Company Marina. Now that the America's Cup is heating up again (with the great Kenny Read in the commentator's booth), I can't wait for some racing, any type of racing, to get started again. Cathy - I crew with Jamie from time to time on Royal Van Wednesday nights and enjoy getting back into it again like when we used to own the Martin. Have either of your kids gotten into racing? Yes, our eldest Will is in his first year of racing at Royal Van in the Optis. He seems to be enjoying it and the program and coaching staff have a well-structured and professional program while they manage the challenges of COVID. I think soon it will be time to buy Will his first proper racing sail from North Sails. READ MORE

BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE WITH KEN READ What Is It Like to Call the AC36 Play-by-Play? If you’re looking for a sailing expert for your next racing event on TV, you call Ken Read. The former America’s Cup competitor who became an around-the-world skipper with a maxi-yacht speed record, and our current President of North Sails, Read is one of the most respected names in the sport. He is also one of the four voices behind the all-star line up of commentators for the 36th America’s Cup. The 36th America’s Cup is Read’s third stint as a play-by-play commentator, having performed the same role in San Francisco in 2013 and Bermuda in 2017. We snuck into the broadcast booth to get a behind-the-scenes experience of what most of you are hearing from your screens. Read makes it look easy but the amount of practice and effort to pull off a smooth show is immense. We just tried to stay out of the way! Let’s go on air with Ken. READ MORE

FROHE WEIHNACHTEN … und ein gutes, neues Jahr! Ein besonderes und herausforderndes Jahr neigt sich dem Ende zu. Es ist uns ein grosses Anliegen, Ihnen allen für das Vertrauen, dass Sie uns auch 2020 entgegen gebracht haben, zu danken. Ihnen und Ihrer Familie senden wir die besten Wünsche für gesunde, erholsame und friedvolle Festtage und ein erfülltes und segelreiches 2021, in dem wir hoffentlich etwas zur Normalität zurückkehren und Sie sich Ihrer Segelleidenschaft wieder vermehrt widmen können. Herzlichst, Ihr North Sails Schweiz Team Daniel Schroff, Claudia Böhm, Christoph Burger READ MORE

WATCHING THE AMERICA’S CUP WITH LOCAL SAILMAKER BEN COSTELLO In the loft and on the water for Day 1 of racing in Auckland On Day 1 of the PRADA America’s Cup World Series, we tagged along with Ben Costello— a 21-year veteran sailmaker. Ben is the service manager at our loft in Auckland, New Zealand. He’s the guy who keeps the loft floor in check, and he’s also the man to speak with if you want to hop a ride to watch the AC75s up close and live. Ben is lucky enough to experience the 36th America’s Cup close to home. In this edition, there’ll be no getting up in the middle of the night like most of us around the world! Yesterday, his day began like any other – dropping the kids off at school, then heading into the loft on Archers Road. But, yesterday had a very special ending. After work, Ben and a few of the North Sails New Zealand crew took the tender and ventured out onto the Hauraki Gulf for the first day of racing. This is Ben’s story. READ MORE

NORTH SAILS PRESIDENT KEN READ JOINS AMERICA’S CUP BROADCAST ALL STAR COMMENTARY LINE UP Read is a veteran play-by-play expert commentator, having performed the same role in San Francisco and Bermuda. 📸 © COR 36 | Studio Borlenghi Racing for the 36th America’s Cup with four days of match racing during the PRADA America’s Cup World Series Auckland, New Zealand (Dec 17th- 19th) and the PRADA Christmas Race (Dec 20th). It will be the only time that all the entrants for the 36th America’s Cup will race against each other and provide a unique opportunity for the teams to assess all their rivals’ strengths and weaknesses. Fans of the America’s Cup all around the world will be able to enjoy coverage via all forms of media on every screen. The primary objective is to make this the most viewed and accessible America’s Cup competition ever. Set against the picturesque background of the Hauraki Gulf of Auckland, New Zealand, with a new title sponsor, PRADA, and in a dramatic new class of racing yacht, the AC75, the world’s best sailors will race to win the oldest trophy in international sport. Each AC75 is equipped with ten cameras supplemented by chase boat, helicopter, and drone cameras. Coverage will include the world feed with commentary from Ken Read & Stephen McIvor together with Olympic gold medallists Shirley Robertson and Nathan Outteridge. In addition to the world feed, there will be two dedicated yacht channels and a data feed offered with expert sailing commentary. Live, highlights and news coverage will be generally available free-to-air in English on www.americascup.com and all the usual official 36th America’s Cup social channels. YouTube Facebook Instagram Twitter To ensure both the most accessible and most complete live and highlights coverage from broadcasters covering 195 territories, the 36th America’s Cup is delighted to announce a further range of partnerships with free-to-air and pay networks. View the full viewing details on americascup.com MEET THE AC36 COMMENTATING TEAM Ken re-joins the AC36 host broadcast commentary team, having performed the same role in San Francisco and Bermuda. Widely respected, Ken is an America’s Cup competitor, Round-the-world skipper, twice-named American Yachtsman of the year, maxi-yacht record holder, and has won 50 World, North American, and national championships in a variety of cases, with ten of those being World Championship titles. Ken will work alongside Stephen based from the International Broadcast Center (IBC). Stephen will lead the play-by-play Race call ashore. An experienced sportscaster, he has a wide variety of live sports credits, and will lead the AC36 commentary team for host broadcast, based from the IBC. Shirley is a double Olympic gold medallist, making it into the history books by becoming the first British woman to win two Olympic gold medals at consecutive games. Named female World sailor of the Year in 2000, appointed an MBC in 2000 and OBE in 2005. She was the regular presenter of CNN Mainsail, which ran for a decade and a half. She will contribute as on-water live commentator during the live race coverage, and assist with other production roles, such as news and feature production. Nathan helmed Artemis Racing in the 2013 America’s Cup in San Francisco and the 2017 contest in Bermuda. He won gold in the 49er class in the 2012 London Olympics, and silver in Rio, 2016. He brings a rare commentary insight to the complexities of racing high performance, foiling yachts in the America’s Cup. READ MORE

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS The Similarities Between Aussie 18s + 100-Footers with Sailor Jack Macartney 📸 Australian 18-Footers League For Sydney sailor Jack Macartney, it’s all about apparent wind—whether he’s sailing an 18 foot skiff or a 100-footer. “The 100-footer is a giant 18,” he says. And both have very talented fleets, which creates tight racing. “Australia has almost all of the 100-footers from around the world racing here,” he points out. “They all have their own strengths and weaknesses, so the racing is close. It’s a unique situation having so many supermaxis racing together so frequently. All of the teams are strong and like the 18-footers, the small things make a big difference. Downwind is what they both have most in common.” Because, he repeats, “It’s all about the apparent wind.” 100 footers The modern 100-footer generates so much horsepower that the sails are flatter and the speeds much higher; “you’re really trying to make the boat hum.” And even with a crew of 20 people, teamwork is crucial. “You might not be hanging off the side, but it’s the same crew dynamic on a 100-footer. You’ve got to have seamless crew work to get through the gear changes and do well.” There are also differences between the two, of course. On a 100-footer, you can’t steer with your weight or throw in a quick tack or jibe without warning. “Things happen a lot slower and the loads are higher, and you have big, loud winches that handle massive loads. But it’s high-intensity and very close racing.” 📸 Les Voiles de St Barth Aussie 18s Jack grew up on Sydney Harbor and started sailing at age 7. His father established the Grand Prix 18 Foot Skiff League seen on television around the world through the 1990s, so Jack and his family traveled all over with the high-performance skiff fleet. “I spent 12 or 13 years following my parents around and growing up with the sailors, so I’ve always had a strong passion for sailing and was immersed in the sport from a young age. “Growing up on Sydney Harbor, you don’t really get a better opportunity to enjoy sailing than rigging up an 18 on a Sunday and going for a rip around. The 18-Footer class has great people and camaraderie is an important part of it, sharing a beer in the bar afterwards. The class competitors have such a strong mutual respect for one another.” Jack finished second in the JJ Giltinan in 2013 before turning to bigger boats and the Volvo Ocean Race. When he decided to get back into the 18-Footer class last year, he spoke with sponsor Tech2 and started a program. With only small changes to better fit their crew weight, Jack says he and his team were instantly competitive with the standard North Sails package. “It’s been a great experience and the North team in Sydney. They have always very helpful. If I need anything done, it’s done quickly and done right.” Tech2 won the 2019 Australian Nationals and club championships, and now Jack and his crew of Charlie Wyatt and Lewis Brake are full speed ahead- with multiple back-to-back wins in the 2020 class club championships over the last month. “Our boat is going fast, our crew work is at a pretty high level, plus our sail development with North Sails is going very well!” 📸 Australian 18-Footers League Unbeatable North Sails Technology Jack hasn’t always sailed with North inventories, but he’s really impressed with 3Di. “3Di is special because of the consistency of shape over a long period of time. It’s robust, stiff, and the sail shapes and longevity of the material is fantastic. In the last two years, I’ve done a lot of racing on the 100-footer Scallywag, including Sydney Hobart, the Caribbean circuit, the Transatlantic, the Fastnet, and the Sydney Hobart again. We are still using the same sails and they are looking pretty good, considering the wear and tear 100’s generate with the extreme loads.” In the 18’s, Jack says North Sails has created a platform that is hard to beat. “Michael Coxon and his experience set the tone. If you want to campaign at a high level, North Sails gives you a platform to do so. You don’t have to develop your rigs and profiles from scratch, instead you get straight on the pace and have the ability to compete at the front. North Sails has so much history and knowledge in the class, combined with excellent technology. I was able to design our setup to our specifications within the already-fast one design package available.” 📸 Les Voiles de St Barth Preparation + Fitness “From what I’ve learned,” Jack says, “you can never prepare enough to sail a 100-footer.” Countless hours are spent developing the boat, the program and getting the crew up to a high level. “Next is understanding the boat and what it needs to perform at 100%.” Though the hours may be a little less, preparation is also key to his 18-Footer program. Both teams I sail with are driven when it comes to fitness—and team communication. “When we are not on the boat sailing together or in the gym, we’ve got our WhatsApp chat going. We’re always thinking and talking about sailing. It’s important to surround yourself with people you trust, you can get flicked off the boat in a second if something isn’t done properly. I’m lucky to have great teammates.” 📸 Australian 18-Footers League READ MORE

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT: COHO Local Legend With A Long Sailing History In Vancouver Grant Brandlmayer shares the history of locally known Spencer 34 Coho, still raced out of Royal Vancouver Yacht Club going on 35 years. What made you decide to build Coho? The decision was made to build the Spencer 34 Coho to race and feature the Spencer 34 in local races; while at the same time enjoying sailing this modern IOR boat. Why did you choose to build with Spencer Boats? In fact Spencer Boats Ltd. was a family boat building company that was formed in 1954 by my parents, an uncle of mine and a good friend of my parents. The company started by building plywood and glass runabouts as finished, as well as selling them as frame kits that many people then built at home. In 1958 they built the first moulded fibreglass sailboat from a female mould. It was 28ft. in length with a wooden deck. A total of 12 were built. Spencer 34, first manufactured in 1978. The Spencer 34 was designed by the well-known Vancouver sailor, Vladimir Plavsic. The first Spencer 34 Spearhead was built for David Spears for the North American 3/4 Tons Worlds held in Victoria in 1978. The Spencer 34 Coho was then built for the Brandlmayr family in 1979 with sails by North Sails. At this time the sails were built under the guidance of David Miller. In addition I recall that Rob Pallard was working for North Sails in Vancouver and was very involved in the build of the first set of sails for Coho. In fact he sailed on Coho during the first Juan de Fuca race that we did in 1980. Tell us a bit about the design process of building Coho. As noted above the Spencer 34 Coho was designed by Vladimir Plavsic. He developed the overall hull form, rig dimensions and all aspects of the boat to meet the IOR Rule of that time to be able to race in the ¾ Ton division. Spencer Boats Ltd, as a very experienced builder of FRP sailboats, then prepared the production design including the lofting of the hull, deck, keel and rudder to allow construction. What challenges did you face while building your dream boat? No specific challenges that I recall. The construction procedures and methods, which had been developed by Spencer Boats Ltd. during the building of the earlier semi production models, had developed into a rather mature process. The original sails are North Sails, who at North did you work with to design and build your sails? As mentioned above it was a pleasure to work with Dave Miller who designed and built the sails for Coho. In addition, I had the pleasure to work with Rob Pallard who was with North Sails at that time in Vancouver. What were your favorite races when you owned Coho? Starting in 1980 and until Leslie (my wife) and I sold Coho (Spencer 34) to Sarah and James McDonald, we entered Coho in many races and many different types of races all of which we very much enjoyed. To name a few, we did the VARC, both regatta and distance series for every year of the 35 years that we raced Coho. The Wednesday night race series at RVYC, which we did almost every Wednesday night race for the same 35 years on Coho. We also did the Whidbey Island Race Week for 10 years in a row starting in 1995. We enjoyed all the races plus the delivery trips with family and friends. Any interesting facts you would like to share about Coho? I think that any of those are generally covered in the combination of the other sections. What are your favorite cruising destinations? We enjoy sailing so the delivery rather than the destination has always been our favourite part. You sold Coho to James and Sarah McDonald, what was it that prompted you to purchase a new boat, what is the new boat and how are you enjoying your new boat? The size of our family had been growing with the addition of our wonderful grandchildren and having a slightly larger sail boat with three cabins but still a high performance cruising boat that we could race had become more inviting. That said we still very much enjoyed and appreciated the all round pleasure we had both racing and cruising Coho. It was a tough but wonderful choice/decision to make. When our close friends Dan and Carolyn McGreer asked if we would consider being boat partners with them in their Beneteau 36.7, it seemed to be the best of both worlds. We had sailed as two families with Dan and Carolyn and their three beautiful girls for over 25 years; not to mention Dan being an integral part of our racing for over 25 years. For several years we had been racing Coho in VARC and RCYC racing in the spring, summer and fall and the Beneteau during the winter months in Point Roberts where the McGreers were keeping the Beneteau. So, the decision was made to combine forces and we put Coho up for sale. When Sarah and James McDonald showed an interest in Coho this just seemed like all things were falling into place as we could not think of two more wonderful people to enjoy a boat that sails so very nicely and was well built. We are very happy that Coho found a new home with people that continue to enjoy racing and cruising the boat. READ MORE

NORTH SAILS HOLIDAY GIFS Add Some Holiday Flare to your Instagram Stories + Reels Remember what it was like when GIFs didn’t exist? Over the last few years, they’ve become our favorite social addition so this year we’ve added some fun options for you to enhance your next Instagram story or reel. Want to add some spice to your next post? Express your holiday spirit with a few new special effects made by your favorite sailmaker. Not sure where to start? Open Instagram, select your image, and then follow the video instructions below to add your favorite holiday GIF to any post. Open Instagram. Take a photo -or- select a photo or video to post. Scroll up and select “GIF”. Search: “North Sails” to view our collection of GIFs. Select, click and drag to place anywhere you want in your photo or reel. TIP: You can make the GIF larger by using two fingers to zoom in, or out. You can select multiple GIFs to include in each post. Just repeat steps 1-4 and add as many as you want! READ MORE

I HAD SOME TROUBLE WITH MY BOAT PRB Skipper Kévin Escoffier Checked In from Onboard Yes We Cam! This past weekend Kévin Escoffier jumped into the sea once again, he gave Jean Le Cam a heartfelt farewell and joined a French Navy vessel to commence his journey home. While still onboard Yes We Cam!, Kévin shared how he’s doing and gave us an insight into why he chose to work with North Sails, his sailmaker of choice, on our new technical clothing, and his thoughts on the range. Fair winds Kevin – we can’t wait for the debrief. You embody our motto – Go Beyond – and are an example of what can be achieved with 101% performance. The new North Sails Performance Clothing range launches in Spring 2021. Sign up below to be on the list for early access. SIGN ME UP! READ MORE

Here’s what Sarah O’Kane from Shorebase, a logistics company, says is important to properly provisioning for your next offshore adventure. READ MORE

Formirana Melges 24 CRO flota Foto: regate.com.hr Melges kao jedriličarski brand krenuo je 1945. godine, a od tada su iz njihovih hala izašle mnoge sportske jedrilice, a neki modeli su se etablirali u svijetu jedrenja kao globalne monotip klase. Jedna od njih je i Melges 24, malena sportska jedrilica u kojoj može jedriti 4-5 jedriličara u tehničkim regatama oko oznaka, dok se s njima kvalitetno može jedriti i u dvoje. Jedan primjer, istina malo ekstreman, je sudjelovanje Melgesa 24 - Blue Label na ovogodišnjem Susku. Jedrilice ove klase na Jadranu se mogu vidjeti već neko vrijeme. Prva pod Hrvatskom zastavom bila je u Rijeci, a kormilarka joj je bila Niki Keser. Par godina nastupala je na međunarodnim regatama klase koje su bile organizirane u Italiji, poput Garde i San Rema. U međuvremenu nekoliko jedrilica je stiglo i u Sloveniju pa su mogli zajedno raditi treninge i regate, a povremeno bi nastupali i na regatama krstaša poput Mrduje u nas i Barcolane u Italiji. Nakon par godina ova dvadesetčetvorka odlazi u Dansku, a obitelj Keser nabavlja Melges 32. Nakon DSK u Hrvatsku stiže spomenuti Blue Label, nastupa uglavnom na Kvarnerskim regatama i sve do 2017. je jedini Melges u nas. Te godine u Dubrovnik stiže čuveni Lero. Lera ne treba posebno predstavljati jer je to jedrilica s kojom Ivo Kvestić nastupa na svim važnijim Dalmatinskim regatama. Redovito pobjeđuje kako u svojim skupinama, nerijetko i na cijelim regatama, a možda najzvućniji trofej u posljednje vrijeme je i pobjeda na Melges 24 monotip regati koja se ove godine jedrila u Trstu kao uvod u Barcolanu! Nastavak priče je u Splitu gdje se u kratkom razdoblju pojavljuju Cezibordo i The Pimp. Cezibordo je doveo Srđan Ninčević i parkirao (jer su Melgesi uglavnom na trailerima kad nisu na regati) kod Labuda, dok je The Pimp na sjevernu stranu Marjana doveo Roko Štambuk. Nakon toga kreće lavina u Splitu u kojem se trenutno nalazi većina Hrvatske flote. Kroz godinu bi imali najmanje četiri regate klase koje bi se bodovale za Kup i jedna bi bila Prvenstvo Hrvatske. Tako da bi sve to bilo službeno zadovoljeno krećemo s akcijama oko formiranja klase i zadovoljavanja svih formalnih zahtjeva. Za sada smo se dogovorili da će JK Mornar biti domaćin regati početkom studenog, JK Labud bi organizirao regatu zadnji vikend listopada i ostale bi bile ili u svibnju ili u kolovozu. Plan nam je da ih naporavimo tako u serijama i da su ti datumi usklađeni s datumima Europskog Kupa za klasu Melges 24, tako da možemo službeno pozivati i posade iz inozemstva tako da im možemo ponuditi da ostave brodove kod nas između dvije regate. Tako da se mogu vratiti doma i kasnije na drugi event u skorom periodu. Također planiramo i službene treninge u veljači za koje već imamo neslužbeno najavljeno nekoliko brodova iz vani, jedriličara iz Mađarske i Italije i jednog Nijemca, koji bi došli u slučaju da se ova situacija oko nas normalizira. Za 2020. smo izvukli maksimum koji smo mogli. Brodovi se množe skoro na tjednoj bazi. Evo neslužbeno sam čuo da je još jedan kaparan ovih dana, također čujem da su u tijeku pregovori da jedan stigne u Pulu. U Splitu imaju još dva ozbiljno zainteresirana buduća vlasnika... Filip Jurišić, Melges 24 - Strilica U sklopu organiziranja klase u planu je i angažiranje službenog premjerača koji bi vodio računa da sve bude po pravilima i da naša flota može regularno i bez stresa putovati i na regate u inozemstvu. Foto: regate.com.hr O tome koliko dobro je Melges 24 prihvaćen u Splitu govori i podatak da su neke jedrilice kupljene zajedničkim ulogom po nekoliko jedriličara i u floti su trenutno nalaze i imena vrlo iskusnih jedriličara poput Tonija Bulaje, Borisa Bakotića, Tonka Kuzmanića, Matije Longina, Jakova Šokote, a kalkulira se i s još nekim imenima olimpijskih jedriličara... Stvarno sam oduševljen ovom klasom. Ono što mi je najdraže kod nje je to što i nama starijim jedriličarima pruža šansu da konkurentno jedrimo protiv aktualnih olimpijaca, svjetskih i europskih prvaka, što inače više ne bi imali prilike u malim klasama. Jedrilica je stvarno fenomenalnih mogućnosti, a o adrenalinu koji se razvije kad se jedri niz vjetar s genakerom ne treba posebno trošiti riječi! U svakom slučaju mislim da je ovo izvrsna stvar! Toni Bulaja, Melges 24 - Obi One Kao što se iznad moglo pročitati, trenutno se bazama klase mogu smatrati Pula, Ičići, Zadar, Split i Dubrovnik, a s obzirom na očite prednosti malobrojne posade i toga što nije potreban vez, te relativno male cijene jedrilice u dosta dobrom stanju, za očekivati je da se priča brzo proširi i u drugim gradovima. A ako još uvijek niste sigurni o čemu pričam povirite fotogaleriju snimljenu na jednom od treninga u Splitu ili doživite užitak koji se pokušao dočarati u ovom videu. READ MORE

OFFSHORE + INSHORE GEAR DISPATCHED TO THE RACETRACKS The Launch of North Sails Performance Collection Last week we announced the launch of our new Performance range of foul weather gear that will be available in Spring 2021. Each week, until launch, we’ll unpack how our team conceived the range, the new “must-haves” for your kit bag, and how we’ve made sure our foulies uphold the expectations you’d have for gear from the world’s leading sailmaker. Our gear development team was diligent in ensuring our gear adheres to Lowell North’s scientific method; the design, build, and testing process used for all North Sail products. Our design work doesn’t end when the first prototypes ship out of the factory. This is just the beginning. Every piece of North Sails kit is the result of the same extensive process; research, innovate, design, build, test… rinse, and repeat. Over, and over, and over again. Our foul weather gear has already been tested in the most extreme conditions. The Offshore and Inshore gear has been dispatched to the racetracks of the world in the hands of North’s experts and sail designers – a team of the most experienced sailors in the world, who cover hundreds of sea miles aboard many different types of vessels…you couldn’t dream up a better kit testing team. PRB skipper and Vendée Globe 2020 competitor Kévin Escoffier, also joined our testing team. One of the most experienced and successful ocean racing sailors of his generation, Escoffier has emerged from a backroom role running Team Banque Populaire’s design office to win a Jules Verne Trophy and the last Volvo Ocean Race. Escoffier did a lot of sea miles before he crossed the Vendée Globe 2020 start line as skipper of November 8 2020 – and he did them all in North kit. He achieved a second-place finish in the IMOCA class of the Rolex Fastnet Race and the Transat Jacques Vabre. It’s been the perfect testing environment for the Ocean range and Escoffier’s thoughtful, analytical feedback was essential to the refinement of the final designs. Escoffier decided that the kit was so good that he took it to race in and, whilst his Vendée 2020 journey hasn’t ended as any of us would have wished, we’re still looking forward to a valuable debrief when he returns to shore – design, build, test…..rinse and repeat. The Offshore prototypes also went south to Sydney for the start of one of the world’s classic bluewater races, Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. In 2019 North Sails designer and trimmer Dick Parker was wearing our kit when he secured his first Hobart win. He had plenty of praise for the kit and lots more ideas – as did everyone else. Research, innovate, design, build, test… rinse, and repeat. LEARN MORE JOIN THE WAITLIST Catch up with the latest from a key member of the North Sails Performance Testing Team, Kévin Escoffier, aboard Yes We Cam! READ MORE

STARTING THE ONE DESIGN SEASON WITH SUCCESS Etchells and Young 88 National Titles Claimed by North Clients 📸 Andrew Delves North Sails One Design clients have started the season off with a bang after winning both the Etchells and Young 88 New Zealand Nationals last month. Etchells Nationals Hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland, North-powered teams had a great event in windy conditions, finishing with a clean sweep on the podium. Defending champion and Sales Manager of North Sails New Zealand, Andrew Wills (Willzy), helmed the winning boat Cruel Jane with One Design Manager, Derek Scott, on the bow. “It had been a long time since Derek and I sailed together,’’ Willzy explains, “but it was an absolute pleasure. We have been friends since we were teenagers and have worked together for about 15 years.’’ Sailing with them as the mainsheet and kite trimmer was Anatole Masfen who has also been sailing with Willzy for many years. As well as having a good crew dynamic, the three sailors are experienced Etchells sailors but only sailed the boat twice this year in the lead up to the Nationals, which Willzy said made him feel a little nervous as some of the other teams were well prepared and were sailing fast. “The standard and depth of the New Zealand fleet have really improved as of late, which is great to see,’’ Willzy explains. “Alongside Fifteen + and Alliance who finished second and fourth overall respectively, we chose two newly designed headsails (MAL & GT) for the event. They were fast out of the box which meant we had a great first day, winning three of the four races which set us up well for the last day which brought a little more breeze, but nice flat water. Racing was tight with everyone keeping a close eye on the competition and their points. Special mention to Jannet Airey - this was her first nationals as Race Officer and the courses were faultless.’’ Harken Young 88 Nationals After a postponed Harken Young 88 Nationals, the regatta successfully went ahead at the end of November with 16 boats on the line raring to go. Racing between St Heliers and Rangitoto, congratulations to North powered team Raging Hormones who took home the National title after eight races. Sailing as tactician with owner Zane Gifford helming, Andrew Wills raced with fellow North expert Matt Kelway on the bow: “It was awesome to see so many teams out for the Nationals as it has been such a disruptive year for sailing in general,’’ says Kelway. “The racecourse was tricky with shifty conditions and a decent breeze on the final day. The key to the event this year was consistency; you had to be quick but also patient with the wind shifts and just find little moments to fight your way back in each race. The new sails complimented the existing inventory and were able to change modes really well through the range. I hope to see the class numbers up for the remaining Sprint Series and of course the Nationals next year.’’ “We had a new 3Di genoa and Radian mainsail for this event, both of which seemed fast from the get-go,’’ Willzy comments. “The fleet size is increasing again which was good to see. Our strong point was consistency and being able to dig out of bad situations. I also felt very confident with our boat handling, crew work, and physicality which really helped, especially on the last day when the breeze built. The wind was oscillating so it was key to stay in phase, both upwind and downwind. Being able to foot off, fast, to the next header seemed really important. It was great to do well against such strong competition and equally, to see so many of our customers sailing fast and achieving strong results. I know many of them are very passionate about sailing their boats and have put lots of time in, so seeing them being rewarded for their efforts was brilliant.’’ Sailing onboard Nick Gillies’ Waka Huia, One Design expert Matt Steven comments on the level of competition within the event: “This regatta was probably the most competitive in recent history for the 88's. The 16 teams brought very mixed results, so consistency was the winning formula. On Waka Huia with a full North inventory, we put the boat in too many tight spots on the first day, and as a result, did multiple penalty turns. On day two, we got the boat sailing in a really nice groove and placed really well, clawing ourselves back up the leaderboard. Raging Hormones were a class act and well-deserved winners." To discuss inventory options for either the Etchells or Young 88, visit the class page and talk to a local expert. Etchells Young 88 READ MORE

BIANCA COOK’S NEW CHALLENGE LOOKS DIFFERENT THAN EXPECTED Aspirations Ahead to The Ocean Race in 2022 📸 Georgia Schofield / NZ Ocean Racing North Sails expert and Auckland native Bianca Cook has logged plenty of ocean miles as part of delivery crews and on the last Volvo Ocean Race with Turn the Tide on Plastic. Now she’s taken on a new challenge: putting together a New Zealand-flagged entry for the 2022 Ocean Race. In November, she and partners Tony Rae and Daryl Wislang launched their V065 for the first time, just in time to win the Coastal Classic—though Cook says a boat without logos wasn’t at all what she envisioned. “We covered up all the old Turn the Tide> branding with black,” she explains. “It looked very plain and simple.” But logos weren’t necessary to achieve their short-term goals: giving sailors and an onboard reporter the chance to race 120 miles from Auckland to the finish line in Russell, and gain some much-needed visibility. If the boat stayed in the shed, “nobody would know what was happening. We thought, ‘Let’s put the boat in the water and let’s do this.’ So that’s what we did.” Winning the race was a nice bonus—even though that didn’t look anything like what Cook expected either. Very light conditions meant they didn’t finish until dawn the following day. “It’s actually quite funny, because it’s the biggest boat I’ve ever done the Coastal Classic on, and it’s the longest it’s ever taken me to get there.“ But “a win’s a win,” she says, adding how grateful she was to North Sails and the rest of the marine industry in Auckland for their enthusiastic support. “Without that, we’d still be in the shed.” : Daryl Wislang, Ryan Houston, Gemma Jones, Bianca Cook, Tony Rae. : Logan Andresen, Aaron Reynolds-Lovegrove, Paige Cook, Thomas Rutter, Bex Gmuer Hornel l📸 Georgia Schofield / NZ Ocean Racing Raised on stories of “the Blakey days” Bianca was born the same year Steinlager 2 won the Whitbread Round the World Race, and she grew up in an Auckland shipyard listening to stories about Peter Blake and “that romance of sailing around the world. The whole country got behind it, and knew what was going on.” She learned to sail with her family on classic boats and then campaigned in Women’s Match Racing until that discipline was eliminated from the Olympics. In 2012, she was just about to fly to Antigua to help deliver the J Class Endeavour to Portugal when the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) fleet sailed into Auckland. “That’s when my real passion for it grew.” Working on Superyachts around the world introduced Cook to a lot of VOR sailors. “I was always asking how I could get involved,” she says. “When they brought out the rule to have more females on board, I sent my CV to anyone that would listen.” Nothing quite clicked, though—until a month before the start, when Dee Caffari called. “I remember seeing Dee for the first time, I was a little bit petrified. As soon as I arrived, the first thing she said to me was, ‘okay, so we’re going to announce that you’re joining the team on Friday, don’t screw it up.’” Until that moment, Cook hadn’t been quite sure what was expected of her. “But when she said that I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m actually on the team. Okay.’” Sailing around the world with Dee was incredible, Cook says. “You can be in a situation where you’re just over it or tired or hungry, not too much left in the tank. And she always has something to say that will give you that little bit of motivation to keep going.” But sailing into Auckland on a boat that represented “the United Nations” didn’t grab her fellow New Zealanders the same way that having their own boat to root for had in previous races. “As a country, we haven’t had a team to really get excited about and really invest Kiwi pride since 2012, so New Zealand’s love affair with the race has kind of gone away.” For the rest of the race, Cook began to imagine sailing into Auckland again as part of a New Zealand-flagged crew. “I got talking to Tony Rae, and he’d been trying to get a New Zealand team in the race for the last two cycles. When I heard that, I thought, ‘Oh, okay, well then why don’t we actually try and make this happen?’” Sailmaking beckons After the VOR, a new opportunity appeared in Auckland: joining North Sails as a salesman. “I jumped at that,” she says. Though Cook didn’t know much about sailmaking, she soon recognized the significant overlaps between building 3Di sails and modern boatbuilding. “Building sails, you lay carbon down in a certain way over a mold—exactly the same as you do in boatbuilding.” Cook continues to be impressed by North Sails emphasis on constant improvement. “It’s fantastic the way that the designers are always trying to make sails faster. They’ve got the technology to just keep pushing.” She also appreciates the way America’s Cup technology is starting to trickle down to Auckland fleets like the Young 88s. “We don’t have double-skin mainsails yet, but you never know! The level of design work that goes into grand prix sails is exactly the same for what you’ll be selling to your local guy who’s just going cruising around the local area. It’s fantastic to see that amount of time and effort going into any job.” 📸 Georgia Schofield / NZ Ocean Racing The Ocean Race journey begins Cook and her partners bought the old Turn the Tide on Plastic in 2019. It was a big commitment, but as Cook puts it, ”We’ve got to have a boat, otherwise we’re not in it. And so we bit the bullet and got it down here to New Zealand.” The goal was to get the boat in the water and “get as many young people on the boat as we could.” 2020 had other plans, though. “We were actually due to launch the day that we went into a nationwide lockdown.” Instead the boat stayed in a shed until the following November. Looking back, “I’m not really sure if was the smartest thing to do,” confesses Cook. But her enthusiasm is infectious, and she’s not the only New Zealander to remember the previous races. “I’ve gone to give talks and people go, Oh, the Ocean Race. Is that the same as the Whitbread?” She laughs. “Here in New Zealand, the last time we had a boat in the race was Camper in 2011/2012. Almost ten years ago now!” Sponsor search Cook thinks they’ll have to look outside New Zealand to get to the start line, but for now they’re focusing on building local support and getting out sailing as much as possible. The lockdown has enabled them to tap into some great ocean racers who are currently stuck in Auckland. “We’ve had all these incredible sailors onboard, coaching the younger guys. But also going, ‘Whoa, I never thought I’d step back on one of these boats again!’” They’re also training onboard reporters. “So we’re getting footage, but it’s also giving them an opportunity to experience it. These guys haven’t necessarily been on a Volvo 65 before, or even gone offshore.” 📸 Lissa Photography / 2020 Coastal Classic First female NZ skipper? The New Zealand media has jumped on the idea of Cook as skipper; she’d be the first female Ocean Race skipper, ever. ““Not so fast” , says Cook. “I’ve always said that I’ll do absolutely everything I can to get that boat on the start line, but how the team looks could be completely different.” Her ambition remains consistent: to have a Kiwi flagged boat on the start line in 2022. Right now, the priority is to give as many Kiwi sailors as possible the experience of racing a VO65. “When we get closer, we’ll start worrying about proper trials. At the moment, anytime we can get out on the water, we’re just making the most of it.” Dreaming of a new wardrobe Cook and team have modified an old Maxi kite into a training version of the new A4 specified for The Ocean Race, but Cook’s already anticipating all the improvements North designers will make to the entire inventory. “It’d be interesting to see the difference in the sails that we have now, and the sails for the next race.” Meanwhile, the group is planning a sailing tour of New Zealand in 2021 and hoping to get a different group of sailors onboard for each leg. “If we manage to inspire some kids down at the bottom of South Island to get involved in sailing, then I feel like we’ve achieved something pretty great.” 📸 Georgia Schofield / NZ Ocean Racing READ MORE

KÉVIN ESCOFFIER SAFE AFTER SUCCESSFUL RESCUE MISSION PRB Skipper Onboard Yes We Cam! in an Amazing Display of Seamanship 📸 Team PRB All of us in the North Sails family as well as the rest of the sailing world have breathed a collective sigh of relief upon hearing of the rescue of a healthy Kévin Escoffier from his life raft. To Jean Le Cam, we can’t fathom the heroic seamanship needed to pull off this successful retrieval in such rough conditions. And to the rest of the skippers who lent their support, you are an example of the code of seamen – that safety for yourself, your boat, and all fellow sailors comes long before any race or result. We bid safe passage to the fleet of exceptionally brave adventurers who are competing in the hardest competition on earth, The Vendée Globe. Just yesterday we were cheering that Escoffier had reached 3rd place after a successful 24-hour run. Our excitement quickly turned to anticipation upon learning that Escoffier was forced to make the heartbreaking decision to activate his distress beacon and take to his life raft about 840 miles SW of Cape Town, South Africa. The news especially hit us hard as Escoffier is a long-time client, a close friend to many within North Sails, and more recently, a key member of our testing team for the North Sails Performance foul weather gear. Vendée Race Control immediately alerted the nearest competitor Le Cam to divert to Escoffier’s aid. A hugely experienced five-time Vendée competitor, Le Cam was diverted to Escoffier’s aid. Three other competitors were also called to the zone to support, which resulted in a successful rescue operation. Mercifully Le Cam was successful in locating Escoffier and he climbed aboard Le Cam’s boat Yes We Cam!, in the early hours of this morning having spent 11 hours in the life raft. It’s an interesting turn of fate, in the Vendée Globe 2008-2009 the former skipper of PRB, Vincent Riou, rescued Le Cam from his capsized IMOCA 60 200 miles west of Cape Horn. Just proving that one good turn really does deserve another! A huge congratulations to both Escoffier and Le Cam on a phenomenal display of seamanship. Also, our utmost respect and thanks go to Vendée Race Control and the PRB Team for their swift and professional coordination of the situation that resulted in a positive outcome. We look forward to beers on the dock with Escoffier a little earlier than initially planned – but damn they’ll taste sweet. Click here for a full report. READ MORE

X-YACHTS LAUNCHES NEW PERFORMANCE CRUISER North Sails Proud to be Sailmaker of Choice 📸 X-Yachts X-Yachts are excited to introduce their new model of cruising yacht, encompassing 56 feet of luxury and performance with an emphasis on comfort. The X5⁶ is one of the biggest X-Yachts models ever to be produced in Denmark, and North Sails is incredibly proud to be the sailmaker of choice. We talked to the Manager of North Sails Denmark, Jesper Feldt, about this new addition to the cruising world: “Together with North Helix Structured Luff and Future Fibre’s Helix bluewater luff cord for the Code sail, the X5⁶ is a perfect match for our 3Di OCEAN product line.’’ Launching for the first time in Haderslev, Denmark, the X5⁶’s full 3Di OCEAN inventory was fitted by the North Sails team for sea trials in light to medium conditions. The perfect fit for a performance cruiser like the X5⁶, 3Di OCEAN evolved from the original 3Di and strikes a balance between performance and reliability. The material is continually refined and the most rugged version of our composite molded sail technology. “Together with North Helix Structured Luff and Future Fibre’s Helix bluewater luff cord for the Code sail, the X5⁶ is a perfect match for our 3Di OCEAN.’’ Though there is some ‘homework’ still to do, X-Yachts is very proud that, after extensive organization and development, they have accomplished their aim to create a magnificent performance cruiser that will give future owners superior sailing pleasure. “The first hull has already provided a distinct big-boat feeling of safety and comfort, where almost everything can be operated by the touch of a button if you so want,’’ explains Thomas Mielec, Director of Design & Engineering at X-Yachts. “This also means that vast amounts of technical equipment must be tested, adjusted, calibrated, etc. to ensure they work as designed and engineered.’’ The first set of sea trials focused on sail handling, sail balance, rig trim, alignment, and tuning the twin rudder system. The North Sails team are looking forward to launching the boat again this weekend for a heavier-air test of the remaining sail inventory, which includes a Helix Structured Luff Code sail and Jib Staysail. This will allow them to get an even better feel for the capabilities of the yacht before she goes back to the assembly hall for the final fit-out of the interior. The world premiere will take place in the X-Yachts showrooms (Haderslev, Denmark) on 16th January 2021. Please get in touch with Jesper Feldt to discuss sail inventory options or X-Yachts CEO Kræn Nielsen. 📸 X-Yachts READ MORE

WINTER SAIL SERVICING : PROTECTING YOUR GREATEST ASSETS November Update from Your North Sails Service Team The loft busy as winter closes in A Note from Shane Hughes, Loft Service Manager, North Sails Ireland: As we enter our 6th month of trading I have finally had a little time to reflect on how our opening has gone. 2020 has been a remarkable period in all of our lives and for me personally has seen the arrival of a new baby girl and the opening of a new business! If you had told me I would be here one year ago.... First of all, I would like to thank all of our clients for supporting the new loft opening thus far. It has been a busy 6 months with us taking in and completing over 200 individual sail repairs and we are still receiving many more contacts as we head into the winter months despite all of the disruption wreaked by the Covid 19 pandemic and the lack of sailing in 2020. After UV replacement on a furling genoa. Protect your investment! With that in mind and with one eye on 2021, now is the time to book your sail(s) or canvas for annual inspection. Our Certified Annual Inspection will provide you with a full spectrum of services which include: racing re-cuts, replacement UV strips on cruising sails, reinforcement patches on your sail covers or canvas, and more! A recent project involved supporting Pam Lee and Cat Hunt on their successful Round Ireland double handed record attempt. It was a pleasure to host Pam and Cat in the loft, both super enthusiastic and committed sailors, to run through some of the do’s and dont's around repairing sails in an offshore environment. We were delighted to see all the repairs and modifications we made work out so well for them on their record attempt, but even happier for them to have achieved what they set out to do. Supporting clients in achieving their goals is important to us and we enjoy the interaction on projects like this. Find out more on their project. As the only North Sails Certified Service loft in Ireland, we are the only repair facility with access to specific North Sails products and expertise in terms of servicing some of North Sails unique product types such as 3Di. Our location in Wicklow allows us quick and easy access up to all of the East coast clubs And marinas. We can deal with bigger sails by providing a direct service to and from the boat making life easier for clients in some cases. As well as direct pick up and drop off service in the local area (inc. all of Dublin), we also offer a full nationwide service leveraging the DPD courier network. So wherever you are located and whatever your requirements, we are ready to assist. Stiffening around batten pocket on J109 3Di Mainsail using NS pure composite and 3Di PSA allowing the sail to sheet more cleanly on the leech. So please get in touch to discuss your specific needs and how we can help you prepare for sailing in 2021. Learn more about North Sails Service offerings + Scheduling an appointment with your local sail experts. In the mean time stay safe and best regards! North Sails Certified Service Contact Shane Adding reefing point to Xi Aramid mainsail New stack pack installed on Puppeteer 330 READ MORE

A PASSION FOR SAILING FROM A YOUNG AGE How One's Passion Influenced Their Move To The Pacific North West A passion for sailing brought this enthusiastic 26 year old sailor from Nakhodka, Russia to Vancouver, British Columbia. Learn how Alexander Levkovskiy's passion developed from a young age and still brings him great joy in life. Local North Sails expert Drew Mitchell caught up with Alexander to learn his story. How did you get into the sport of sailing and how old were you? When I was a kid my family had a Carter 30 sailboat. I spent a lot of time on it going out cruising and doing some clubhouse racing. Then at the age of 7 I started to sail an Opti. Everybody has a sailing role model growing up, who was yours and why did you look up to him? Can’t say that I had a role model but I had a group of sailors who I was keeping eye on. Top 3 on my list were: Dean Barker, Karol Jablonski and Ben Ainslie. All of those guys were incredibly talented match racers and I have been in love with match racing ever since I saw the America’s cup finals in 2003. What dinghies are most popular in Vladivostok, which ones did you sail/race? The most popular are Optis, Cadets, Lasers and 420’s. I went through Opti, two-person dinghy Cadet, Laser 4.7 / Radial. When I turned 18 keel boats took me over. What is the racing scene like in Vladivostok and what are the popular keel boats to race? Which one did you enjoy racing on the most and why? You can sail 6-7 months a year before it gets too cold and then you can sail ice boats. Summer racing schedule is pretty good. Wednesday nights start in the middle of May and finish in late August. You can find a regatta to sail almost every week. They can be as short as 2 days and be up to a week. As winter season comes and the bay gets covered in ice you can sail Ice Optis and DN’s. Ice boats are great to learn how apparent wind works and can go pretty quick. I would definitely recommend trying it! Two main one design fleets are Conrad 25R’s and Platu 25’s. This year guys got into Melges 20’s and it sounds like this fleet is going to grow. Also various sizes and types for boats in the ORC fleet. I really enjoyed sailing the Platu 25, great design by Bruce Farr. It feels like a big dingy, requires physical work and the fleet is super tight! After University you decided to move to Canada, you got yourself on the Vancouver racing scene pretty quickly. Are there many differences between racing in Vladivostok to racing in Vancouver? Can’t say that it’s super different. Maybe not as many windward leeward races. The biggest difference is that the season never stops. You can sail 12 month a year but it can be a little bit chilly in January. Also it’s pretty awesome that you can go sailing, skiing and mountain biking on the same day. What do you find the most challenging part of racing in Vancouver and around PNW? Tide and current. Local knowledge is a huge factor in the coastal races here. You better have good instruments on the boat so that you can keep track of those things. What is your favorite race in the PNW and why? Can I pick two? Southern Straits and the outside legs of Van Isle 360. Both races delivered great weather and champagne downwind sailing when I was doing it. Local guys say it can be pretty rough and wet weather sometimes but I’ve been lucky. You joined the Wet Coast Sailing Team, Melges 24 team based in Victoria, in 2018. You guys have had quite the success on the race course. Could you list off some of your results? As a team we sailed pretty much all the events of the V.I.R.C ( Vancouver Island Race Series) in 2018-2019 and pretty much all one design events available in the Pacific Northwest. I guess the biggest achievement for the team was winning the Corinthian division/ 5th overall in North American championships in 2019 which was held in Traverse City, Michigan. You would travel to Victoria almost every weekend to train with the team. You must really like your teammates. Who are they and can you list off everyone's position on the boat? I did so many ferry rides that potentially I could become a BC Ferry shareholder! But it's 100% worth it when you have such an incredibly good group of guys! We always have a lot of fun on and off the water. Alright I’ll start stern to bow: Fraser McMillan is our skipper, Aidan Koster does tactics, Keegan Moynihan trim and me as the lightest but most hungry guy on the boat do bowman/floater. At least this was how we planned to sail 2020 Worlds but with the pandemic and world changes we may have some changes to come too. With most all big Melges 24 events canceled what other sailing/racing have you been up too? It was frustrating to realize that sailing season was not going to be as exciting as planned but I’ve been doing some online sailing! Even organized a virtual regatta during Easter weekend in April. It was fun to experience the Race Committee job on a virtual course; glad I didn’t have to move marks all the time. Since we didn’t have much racing going on I got the opportunity to do some cruising with some of my closest friends and see some cool places. It was a great feeling to sail downwind while cooking steaks on the barbecue! I know that team won’t allow me to do that on M24 when racing is back on so I enjoyed that moment. You also co-own Martin 242 with your Dad. Looks like you guys have done some upgrades since the purchase. What's your guys plan with this? When we got the boat it was desperately looking for some upgrades! The majority of the jobs were done at the deck level: running rigging, standing rigging, hardware, some fibreglass work and other things. More upgrades to come! The plan for 2020 was to make the boat able to compete on the race course, do some day time cruising in English bay and race it. The boat did its first official race in October and it felt pretty good. I had a great opportunity to have my buddies from North Sails Vancouver on board and heard their opinion about how we can improve the boat and sails and make it ready for the Nationals in Nanaimo next year. That’s about it. Are you following the Vendee Globe? Who are you cheering for and why? I do! Cheering for everyone in the fleet. You have to be a super tough sailor to do this kind of race so I support all of them and wish them fair winds. Last fun question: If you could buy any boat in the world and race it what boat would you purchase and why? Also who would you buy your sails off? Oh that’s easy, a TP 52 built by Botin Partners powered by North Sails. Your phone number would be on speed dial; It is a high performance fleet with great sailors in it. As you know dreams come true, so maybe one day. READ MORE

HUR VET MAN NÄR DET ÄR DAGS ATT BYTA SPINNAKER? Vad du ska titta efter och hur du förlänger livslängden 📸 Cate Brown / BIRW I den här artikeln tar vi en närmare titt på nylonduk, förklarar hur du kan bedöma skicket på din spinnaker och tipsar om hur du maximerar dess livslängd. Om du har haft en ny spinnaker minns du säkert det prasslande ljudet och hur det lite styva materialet skrynklade sig när du packade ner seglet i säcken. De vita panelerna var vita och de färgade panelerna var djupt mättade. När spinnakern hissades och fylldes kändes det i hela båten att den ville framåt. Dina sinnen – synen, hörseln, känseln – registrerade att seglet var nytt, och samma sinnen kan nu hjälpa dig att förstå om den har gjort sitt eller kan användas ett tag till. Alla segel är förbrukningsvaror, på ungefär samma sätt som däcken på din bil. De slits lite varje gång du använder dem, och till slut är de utslitna bortom räddning. Och precis som med däck är det bra att dels känna till vad du kan göra för att minska slitaget och förlänga seglets livslängd, dels kunna förstå när det faktiskt är läge att skaffa något nytt. Spinnakern är det segel som det är svårast att bedöma skicket på, men det finns några enkla tumregler som tar dig en bra bit på vägen. En titt i mikroskopet En spinnaker opererar i relativt låga skenbara vindhastigheter. Duken behöver därför vara lätt, vilket är anledningen till och de flesta spinnakers görs av nylon. Fibrerna är tunna och lätta och väven är inte särskilt tät. Det här varierar i och för sig. En spinnaker eller gennaker gjord för cruising är vanligtvis gjord i duk med tätare vävteknik. Mikroskop-bilden till vänster visar en traditionell 0.75 oz (i verkligheten 1,1 oz) nylonduk. Lägg märke till hur varpen och väften överlappar varandra utan några egentliga mellanrum. Porositet, som är ett begrepp som används för att beskriva mängden luft som kan passera genom ett material, är låg i en spinnaker gjord av den här sortens duk. Låg porositet är förstås en värdefull egenskap i alla segel, men det är extra viktigt vid spinnakersegling, där man ju kämpar för att omvandla varenda liten pust till framåtdrivande kraft. Samtidigt är låg vikt en lika värdefull egenskap. Duken i en renodlad racing-spinnaker kan vara 40 procent lättare än duken i en mer cruisingbetonad variant. Bilden till höger visar hur en racing-duk kan se ut. Om du tittar noga ser du att varpen och väften bara delvis överlappar varandra och att det alltså finns tomma ytor utan några fibrer. Dessa ytor täcks istället av en tunn "coating", i det här fallet en uretanbeläggning. Det är knappast förvånande att denna uretanhinna har sämre hållbarhet än själva väven. Även kostnaden stiger, eftersom nylonduk med coating är dyrare att tillverka än nylonduk utan coating. Precis som med bildäck och en rad andra produkter är det priset man får betala för högre prestanda. Hur ser jag att spinnakern börjar bli sliten? De skillnader du kan se över tid är subtila. Men om panelerna nära hornen börjar påminna om korrugerad plåt, så är det ett tydligt tecken på ålder. Likaså den så kallade "elefantrumpan", det vill säga att det uppstår en vertikalt rynka mitt i spinnackerns övre del. Ytterligare tecken att hålla utkik efter är om ytterpanelerna tenderar att vika över på ett mer abrupt sätt än tidigare när du trimmar spinnakern. I takt med att spinnakern åldras kommer du också kunna märka att det blir svårare att nå dina målfarter. Om du förr brukade ha en "extra växel" när du lovade upp för att exempelvis passera en båt i lovart, och den effekten nu verkar ha klingat av, så är det också ett tydligt tecken på att din spinnaker har sett sina bästa dagar. 📸 Cate Brown Och som sagt, hur duken känns i handen kan säga mycket om dess skick. Om skillnaden är stor jämfört med när den var ny beror det på att duken har börjat tackla av. Här behöver du inte bara förlita dig på minnet. Du kan ju allltid ta med spinnakern till din segelmakare och jämföra med hur en sprillans ny duk känns. Se bara till att du känner på en duk med liknande karaktär, så att du inte jämför äpplen med päron. Att din spinnaker ofta får hål och revor kan också vara ett tecken på ålderdom – samtidigt som det antyder att du nog bör ta ett varv runt rigg och båt med tejp och kanske till och med fil. En mjuk nylonduk har ingen chans mot vassa spridarnockar, lösa kardeler, saxpinnar och liknande. En helt ny spinnaker är faktiskt mer känslig för den här sortens slitage än en som har använts ett litet tag, så det här är extra viktigt när seglet hissas de första gångerna. Men det är ju under en kort. övergående fas, och det påverkar inte det faktum att en äldre spinnaker tål mindre slitage än en nyare. Håll också uppsikt efter färgförändringar. Att vita paneler gulnar eller att färgade paneler mattas av är ett uppenbart tecken på att seglet är ute på sista benet. Och för att återknyta till det där med porositet – om du märker att det går att blåsa aldrig så lite luft genom seglet, så har gränsen passerats för länge sedan. Tips som ökar din spinnakers livslängd Vi avslutar med fem snabba råd som hjälper dig att få ut max av din spinnaker: #5: Vi har nämnt det tidigare men tar det igen: Tejpa eller ta bort alla vassa detaljer ombord som seglet kan komma i kontakt med. #4: Använd inte ditt segel i högre vindstyrkor än vad det är konstruerat för. #3: Försök undvik att "tråla" med spinnakern. Att dra upp den ur vattnet medan båten gör fart framåt utsätter duken för oerhörda påfrestningar. #2: Håll spinnakern torr, så långt det är möjligt. Lämna aldrig en blöt spinnaker i säcken, utan ta med den hem eller lägg den på ett sätt som gör att den kan torka. Om den har fått saltvatten på sig är det bra att skölja den med sötvatten. Men tvätta den aldrig med någon form av klor-baserat medel. Det är som kryptonit för nylon! #1: Torka aldrig spinnakern efter segling genom att hissa den på masten och låta den fladdra i vinden. Det skär i hjärtat på varje segelmakare – och ett segel som fladdrar kan åldras mer under en halvtimme än under flera säsongers normal segling. Intresserad av en ny spinnaker? Kontakta oss så hjälper vi dig att få mer ut av din undanvind. Request A Quote Color Code READ MORE

North Sails & Swan 45 - recept za Susak Foto: regate.com.hr Yacht Club Croatia uspješno je nastavio s postavljanjem temelja novoj tradiciji Istre i Kvarnera organiziranjem drugog izdanja regate od Ičića do Suska i natrag za dvojce i posade. Nažalost ove godine nije odjedrena kompletna ruta, ali i na skraćenom izdanju svi sudionici imali su ispred sebe vrlo naporno i zahtjevno jedrenje! Prilikom prijavljivanja regate za ovogodišnji kalendar HJS-a, rezervirani su petak, subota i nedjelja 20 - 22.11. međutim, zbog vremenske prognoze cijeli tjedan ranije se moglo očekivati da će doći do nekih promjena u službenom programu, jer su svi meteo modeli najavljivali jaku buru na skoro cijeloj ruti između Ičića i Suska. Inače, start je trebao biti dan u petak ujutro u 10:00, ali unatoč želji organizatora da organizira jednu zahtjevnu jesensku, pomalo avanturističku, regatu taj termin definitivno nije dolazio u obzir! Po najavama zainteresiranih jedriličara iz Istre i Kvarnera, na startu se moglo očekivati preko 25 posada, kako u dvočlanom formatu, tako i u punom sastavu. Najavilo se i pet posada iz Slovenije, pa bi se nakon lanjskog nastupa jedne Ruske posade nastavio međunarodni karakter regate. Ali s jedne strane zaključana Dežela i olujna bura na putu posada sa zapadne strane Istre srezali su startnu listu na 19 imena većinski iz Riječkog zaljeva. Iz najdaljeg su stigli samo momci s Dolce far niente, članovi JK Horizont iz Poreča i mix dvojac Kostelić - Kliba kao predstavnici JK Uljanik iz Pule. Prvi potez Organizacijskog odbora po pitanju odgode starta povučen je par dana pred start kad su svi sudionici obaviješteni da se start pomiče na subotu ujutro u 10:00. Ova dvadesetičetiri satna odgoda po tada aktualnim prognozama još uvijek je omogućavala da se odjedri kompletna ruta, jer su po jakoj buri jedrilice trebale stići do Suska, a već u očekivano vrijeme njegovog obilaska bura bi bila u padu i povratak bi išao mnogo ugodnije, a definitivno brzo s obzirom da bi se većina rute mogla odjedriti na jednim uzdama, čak i u laškoj orci. Sastanak kormilara odvio se u subotu ujutro u ACI marini Ičići, bazi YC Croatia u 9:00. Foto: regate.com.hr Svima, ili bar većini, bilo je jasno da je stanje već ispred same marine bilo više nego zahtjevno za jedrenje i s obzirom da je DHMZ izdao crveno upozorenje za Kvarner, isplovljavanje nije dolazilo u obzir. Također, organizatori su raspolagali s informacijama da je na otvorenom moru između Istre i Cresa, kao i na Susku, izmjereno pa i preko 50 čvorova bure. Odluka je samim tim bila vrlo jednostavna, odnosno odgoda starta u trajanju od deset sati. Idući sastanak kormilara zakazan je za 19:00, a mogući start najavljen je za 20:00. Tijekom dana bura je i dalje vrlo jako puhala i ispred Opatije, ali kako je sunce počelo zalaziti tako je sve više slabila i bar na milju od kopna pala na desetak čvorova. S obzirom da je vremenski interval koji je bio ispred jedriličara bio značajno skraćen u odnosu na prvotni, odgoda starta od dan i pol povlačila je za sobom i skraćenje rute. Regatni odbor obavijestio je nazočne kormilare da se neće ići do Suska, već da će točka obaveznog obilaska biti lanterna Zaglav na sredini zapadne obale Cresa. Ugrubo, ruta je skraćena na pola. Na raspolaganju je bilo još nekoliko točaka na izvornoj ruti koje su mogle biti iskorištene umjesto Zaglava, ali prognoze su najavljivale drastičan pad bure u nedjelju ujutro. Takav rasplet doveo bi u pitanje povratak većine sudionika, pa je izabrana spomenuta opcija. Do ovog izdanja regate Susak noćni start u ovom akvatoriju nije baš prakticiran. Iznimka je jedino nekoliko Galijola koje su se jedrile u kasno ljetnom terminu, što je ipak mnogo ugodnije doba za jedrenje, pa je samim tim i noćni start bar psihički manje zahtjevan a i tada su skoro sve posade bile u punom sastavu. Na ovom Susku od 19 prijavljenih posada 11 su bile u doublehanded kategoriji, a 8 u punom sastavu. Noćni start, prateću hladnoću i ostale eventualnosti tri posade su prepoznale kao elemente s kojima bi mogle imati poprilično problema i službeno su se povukle iz regate, a s druge strane već u petak poslijepodne posada Molo Longa javila je organizatorima da odustaju od sudjelovanja. Tako da je na start pristupilo 15 posada. Uglavnom, među njima nije bilo dvočlanih posada, svi koji su stigli u Opatiju odlučili su jedriti, a posade u punom sastavu su predstavljali samo Finally i Žut. Predstartna procedura odbrojavala se na istom mjestu kao i godinu ranije... Regatni odbor na valobranu marine u Ičićima, pored "tri antene", i bova označena bljeskalicom na oko 200-300 metara okomito na obalu. S obzirom da bura ovdje puše skoro okomito na obalu start je bio u laško i odvijao se po maksimano desetak čvorova, ali po vrlo uzburkanom moru kratkog, oštrog vala. Vrlo nezgodni uvjeti kad je u jedrima malo vjetra, a s obzirom da se uvijek nakon starta svi nastoje izvući što više od obale Istre u zonu jačih zračnih strujanja, trebali su su se koristiti drifteri i genakeri kojima nisu bili svi opremljeni. Uglavnom su se koristile genove i jedinice, a nekolicina s odgovarajućim laganim jedrima u zonu za koju su očekivali da će biti vjetrovitija stigli su malo ranije. Međutim, tamo ih nije dočekalo pretjerano mnogo vjetra i sa stvarno malenim brzinama skreću na pravi kurs i nastavljaju na jug. Jedine dvije jedrilice koje su izabrale značajno drugačiju taktiku bili su Damaco i Bokeljka. Oni su prvih pola milje jedrili bliže kopnu i tek onda su se priključili na "autoput". Kao što se može vidjeti na početnom dijelu playbacka Bokeljka je bila bar za 20% brža od najbržih u ostatku flote i na momente hvatala i preko 7 čvorova. Slično je bilo i s Damacom, ali zbog tehničkih problema nedostaje prvih pola sata njegove snimke. Nakon prebacivanja vani flota sustiže Bokeljku, ali Damaco zadržava vodstvo koje u nastavku regate nije niti jednom ispustio. U ovom dijelu regate možda je najveće iznenađenje JOD 35 - Skradin. On se probio na drugo mjesto i predvodio je potjeru u kojoj su još sudjelovali maleni Mini 650 - Libera i Elan 340 - Dolce far niente. Dalje je regata bila praktički natjecanje u brzini, jer nije bilo nekih posebnih taktičkih poteza s kojima su se neki izdvajali od drugih. U ovoj etapi najviše su se isticali Melges 24 - Blue Label i Bavaria 38 Match - Fly 5. Oni su iskoristili posjedovanje genakera i s vanjske strane pokušavali su hvatati priključak s vodećima. Uglavnom, nekako u visini Mošćeničke drage bura ponovno jača i sad cijela flota ima vrlo visok prosjek brzina. Više o situaciji na moru ispričao je član kasnije pobjedničkog dvojca, Hrvoje Petrović, koji je jedrio zajedno s Niki Keser na Swanu 45 - Damaco: S obzirom da smo kasnili na start i brod je velik, pa kad smo u dvoje sve ide relativno sporo, nismo stigli ništa pametno dignuti. Istina, dignuli smo puno jedro i veliki flok za mezzonave, ali nismo stigli pripremiti genaker. Kasnije smo ga uspjeli spremiti, ali mislim da je na sreću bura počela probivati kad je sve bilo spremno, tako da nismo ništa veliko dignuli. Na startu su ispred nas bili Bokeljka i Libera. Mislim da je Bokeljka imala genaker, a Libera drifter. S tim su počeli voziti na razne strane, jer vjerojatno to sve nisu uspjeli spustiti na vrijeme, a mi smo sve to prošli na flok. Jer relativno brzo je s 5-6 čvorova na startu dignulo na 15 čvorova iz smjera Krka! Znači bio je čisti bok, a dok smo se izvlačili vani imali smo orcu prema Cresu. Kako smo išli prema Velim vratima to je sve više jačalo. Mi smo i dalje imali puno jedro i jib top. I kad smo stigli u Vrata na instrumentima smo čitali 32-33 čvora. Tu nam je vjetar već bio u pola krme i krma i tu zonu smo proletjeli s tim punim jedrima. Sve je prošlo bez stresa i ja sam čak uspio malo odmoriti, odraditi neki polu san. Niki je vozila. I onda je iza Cresa krenuo zanimljivi dio, dio patnje. Kad smo prošli puntu Porozine sve je stalo. Bonaca... oko 6 čvorova iz svih smjerova malo krma, malo orca... Srećom, nismo išli puno pod Cres. Bili smo oko milju - milju i pol van, kad vidim tracking znat ću točno... i relativno brzo smo to prošli. Nakon toga ponovno smo imali vjetar u bok prema Zaglavu... refuli od 30 čvorova, pa pad na 5... pa ponovno 30 čvorova... Nekoliko puta smo mijenjali na jedru prvi krat, pa prvi, pa ponovno drugi, pa puno jedro... i sve s istim flokom. Cijelo vrijeme bok, krma i max laška orca. Uglavnom bočni kutevi. I onda na 3-4 milje pred Zaglavom, kad smo se spremali priječi na trojku za natrag, dignulo je na 35 čvorova. To je dio koji ćese na trackeru vrlo jasno vidjeti :) Tih 35 čvorova je bilo zadnje što sam u tim trenucima vidio na instrumentu jer sam otišao na provu čupati flok prema dolje. Kako smo mi to "mudro" zaključili da ćemo spuštati u krmu, šteke koje imamo u floku su se omotola oko štraja. Bila je prava mala karamela. Niki je na timunu uspjela to odvrtiti, a ja sam uspio spustiti flok. Međutim, umjesto da je to sve trajalo 3 minute, trajalo je 23... Kad smo to spustili zavozili smo na Zaglav i tamo smo imali između 25 i 30 čvorova, ništa previše strašno. Jedro nam je tada bilo na prvom kratu i dignuli smo trojku. Na Zaglavu smo imali jednu viru koja je bila posljednja do Ičića. Desne uzde sve do gore... na desni bok smo nakrcali sve flokove i spinakere koje smo imali... sve na palubu. Mislim da oko 15 minuta iza Zaglava ponovno dižemo jedro na puno i do kraja više ništa nismo mijenjali do kraja. U Vratima smo imali 15-20 čvorova, ful orca i na izlasku iz vrata do 35 čvorova laške orce. Brod je išao kao metak, najljepši dio regate što se mene tiče! Tu je već i iskopalo val, pa je bilo i malo mokro. A na provi smo izgubili dvije naglavne lampe. Taktika za kraj nam je bila da se držimo čim više vani, da ne odemo pod Istru gdje je uvijek po buri dosta lošije... ako nema tramuntane uvijek treba ići van prema Kvarneru. Negdje u visini Ike dobili smo prvi znak da idemo u bonacu, pa smo se s dvije-tri vire izvukli još više vani i tako smo skoro prošli Ičiće i u krmu se spustili prema cilju. U Ičićima je sve zabonacalo i zadnjih milju smo morali jedriti orcu da bi ušli u cilj. Rezime je da nije bilo panike, osim te jedne izmjene floka, kod nas to stvarno nije izgledalo strašno. Mislim da je primarni razlog to što je brod spreman! Ja znam brod napamet. Imam hrpu milja i sati u brodu, Niki također. Jedrili smo puno regata zajedno ove sezone i mislim da nam je to bio najveći plus, što smo znali brod. Točno sam znao koje jedro i kada, kako brod podnosi pojedini setup, kako mogu voziti i ponavljam da je brod spreman za offshore. Ja i Bero (Berislav Vranić, vlasnik Damaca, op.a.) spremamo se za Sv.Nikolu za dvojce, jer Niki radi, ne može dobiti slobodno... a inače nas dvoje planiramo jedriti dalje, a čak razmišljamo i o mixed offshore kombinaciji da i nas dvoje pokušamo s kvalifikacijama za olimpijadu. Što se tiče treniranja, Swana imamo uvijek na raspolaganju, također možemo jedriti na X-Treme 37 od Nikijine obitelji, možemo posuditi i Mini 650 od prijatelja Darija... sad samo čekamo službene informacije koje u stvari sviju i zanimaju da mogu krenuti s ozbiljnim planovima za kvalifikacije. Hrvoje Petrović, Damaco - Swan 45 Krenuvši od Damaca, pa dalje, u pitanju su bile jedrilice za koje se po potrebi dio posade može skloniti u kabinu, ako je sve u redu čak malo i odspavati, a i u većini ako uvjeti na moru dopuštaju normalno i opušteno pripremiti neki topli napitak ili topli obrok. Sušta suprotnost tome bila je jedrilica Blue Label, Melges 24 na kojem je jedrio dvojac YC Croatia, Jelača i Smojver. Foto: regate.com.hr Tijekom regate čak 5 jedrilica se povukla iz regate zbog uvjeta na moru. Neki su morali odustati ranije, neki u blizini Zaglava, a dvojac s Blue Labela taj potez je morao povući prilikom pokušaja okreta ove lanterne. Kako je u prvoj polovici regate jedrenje bilo uglavnom u bok i niz vjetar oni su se dobro snalazili, a i stvarno brzo prešli tih 22-23 NM. Ali upadaju u probleme pred obilazak... detaljnije o tome, kao i o organizacijskim izazovima ispričao nam je Petar Smojver: Mogu reći da smo kao organizatori iz ove regate stvarno puno naučili i izvukli puno iskustva, pogotovo da slušamo sami sebe i da ne upadamo pod tuđi utjecaj. A tako smo i postupili pogotovo po pitanju odgode starta. Za iduću godinu planiramo da jedan ozbiljni gumenjak budu uz flotu cijelo vrijeme. Da bude pri ruci ako nekom bude trebalo... bez obzira što se to ne radi na drugim regatama... ali ja bi to zbog svog mira. Mislim, bez obzira što smo mi ovog puta spašavali sebe i tražili zaklon, meni je cijelo vrijeme puno više u glavi bilo pitanje kako druge posade to rješavaju i da im se nešto ne desi. Imali smo mi dogovoreno i spremnu pripravnost Sea Helap, ali oni su u Lošinju i treba im sat vremena do tamo gdje smo mi bili... nezgodno je... stvarno treba netko s tom ulogom biti bliže! A što se tiče nas na Melgesu, jasno je da to nije jedrilica za ovakvo vrijeme. Međutim, po svim prognozama bura je bila u padanju do dvadeset čvorova i to se može. Pripremili smo i olujna jedra baš za njega i moglo se s tim jedriti do 30 čvorova, a to smo i isprobali za vrijeme regate. NAs dvojica smo bez problema upravljali brodom, išli smo 14 čvorova... s kratom i flokom jedrili krmu... glisirali smo noću po velikom valu i to je bilo kako treba. A kasnije kad smo upali u nekakvu bonacu od Porozine, pa tamo negdje do Velog Boka. Bila je bonaca, pa val iz Valuna, pa val po krmi od Porozine, vjetar čas čista orca, pa čas čista krma... to je bilo nekih sat i pol borbe i kad smo to prošli nekih 3 milje pred Zaglavom je zapuhalo. Očekivali smo da će refuli odmah biti jaki i odmah smo ih dočekali s kratom. Tako smo normalno mogli jedriti do Zaglava i onda je tamo još pojačalo i tu smo počeli imati prve probleme jer nas je štraorcalo i nismo mogli zapojati. Tada smo spustili glavno i dignuli olujno glavno i uspjeli proći Zaglav i ići prema Cresu. Tu je ponovno pojačalo i nikako nismo mogli ni virati ni napraviti pojalabandu, niti zapojati. I sad kad smo došli pod Cres nije bilo druge... tu nije bilo niti jedne rupe među refulima... mi smo čekali neku rupu da zapojamo, a nikako dočekati. I kad smo stigli pre blizu Cresu spustili smo glavno i samo s flokom smo uspjeli okrenuti. Naravno, nismo uspjeli okrenuti Zaglav, jer samo s flokom nismo imali potrebni kut i tu smo donijeli odluku da je to to i da odustajemo od regate jer ne možemo s ispravne strane okrenuti Zaglav. Sve ovo što sad pričam traje dvadesetak minuta. Za to vrijeme refuli su još i pojačali i onaj flok koji nam je bio podignut trebalo je zarolati jer smo se previše naginjali. Kasnije su nam rekli ovi što su iza nas stigli do Zaglava da su neki mjerili 37, neki 42 čvora i to ne refule, već konstantnog vjetra! Flok smo skroz zarolali. Po tom vjetru se zarolao skroz na tanko i kako je taj konop od rola na Melgesu napravljen na mjeru, a sad koliko je tanko bio zarolan ostalo je vani viriti nekih 40-50 cm jedra. I tek to malo jedra je brod mogao podnijeti! jedna od opcija koje smo tad imali na raspolaganju je da na lijeve uzde idemo prema Susku ili na desnim uzdama na Pomer, to su bile opcije za krmu. Ili eventualno probati to što smo na kraju i napravili, a to da smo na desne uzde i tuči mezzonave koliko nas pusti. Nekako smo procijenili da ćemo uhvatiti Crnu puntu, a ako nju ne uhvatimo ušli bi u Rašu i tamo hvatati neku zavjetrinu. I tako smo mi to i napravili... je da je to tražilo prelazak preko otvorenog mora od Cresa prema Istri, ali da smo išli prema Susku opet bi nas čekali udari pod Lubenicama i pred Martinščicom i to bi bila katastrofa, a da smo išli na Pomer išli bi na otvoreno more, a tu je i val i sve što ide uz to. Uglavnom, rekli smo idemo poprijeko za Istru. Naravno, ovisiš o brodu i opremi. Hočće li jarbol puknuti ili izdržati, međutim s obzriom da smo imali samo tih kvadrat - kvadrat i pol jedra mislim da to nije bila tolika opasnost bez obzira na jačinu. Po mojoj procjeni valovi su bili oko tri metra. U jednom trenu... dok smo prelazili nismo puno pričali... ali čim smo pristali sjetili smo se jedne situacije. Vidi se svjetlo Rapca, a Rabac je dosta visoko u brdu i u jednom trenu ne vidiš više njegovo svjetlo jer 100 metara dalje bio je val i sad taj val dolazi prema tebi nije više crn nego bijel! Tako da je povremeno bilo tih ogromnih valova. Brod je to OK podnosio. Kad ne bi izdržao reful u mezzo onda bi ga malo zapojao, a to je opet novi par rukava. Kad okreneš u krmu i zaglisiraš na valu, zabiješ se u slijedeći i u jednom trenu nam je prova bila cijela u moru sve do kabine, situacja kao kad se vide video klipovi kad ljudi jedre sa spinakerom u krmu, tako se to nama desilo s tih kvadrat i pol jedra! Ali što je tu je, izvučeš se i onda opet u mezzonave šibaš dalje. Kad smo stiglo do Crne punte tamo je bila zavjetrina, uspjeli upaliti motor, uplovili i vezali se na prvu bovu ispred cementare i odmah je bilo zavlačenje u kabinu. Slijedeće je bilo da moramo zadržati temperaturu, ne se pothladiti. Naravno, vreće nismo uzeli, jer idemo "samo" do Zaglava i digurno nežemo morat bježati. Dok smo planirali odlazak do Suska znali smo da ćemo se negdje trebat skloniti i pričekati da prođe vjetar, a ovo je bilo kao idemo na sigurno :) Tako da nam je to bila velika greška i tako smo morali čekati dok se prva birtija otovori da možemo ući unutra da se zagrijemo, pa da možemo krenuti natrag. Po prognozi je bilo da će ujutro oko dva sata bura kompletno stati, a na kraju je tamo u Koromačni bura puhala sve do 11 ujutro... eto, svi modeli su totalno pogriješili! Vjerojatno je bura toliko lokalnog karaktera da oni ne mogu sve to tako precizno odrediti. Petar Smojver, YC Croatia Ono što posebno veseli organizatore je to što se na regati okupio toliki broj dvojaca i koji nisu odustali unatoč vremenskim uvjetima, a što znači da su bili dobro pripremljeni i oni i brodovi. S druge strane također su zadovoljni i s ozbiljnim pristupom onih koji su u jednom trenutku rekli da oni ne mogu odjedriti cijelu rutu po takvim uvjetima i na taj način sačuvali i sebe i svoje jedrilice. U svakom slučaju regata je pokazala da postoji dovoljan broj ozbiljnih jedriličara s kvalitetnim jedrilicama i što je najvažnije da su spremni jedriti i u jesen i po teškim vremenskim uvjetima, kratiti na vrijeme i nikog dovoditi u rizik! Karakteristika područja oko Zaglava je da čak i noćni burini u toj zoni mogu vrlo jako puhati, tako da kad je na širem području bura na Zaglavu će sigurno vladati uvjeti poput onih koje su doživjeli sudionici ove regate. Ovog puta, po riječima Slovenskog meteorologa Jure Jermana, situaciju je dodatno pojačalo još uvijek toplo more. Gradijent bure uzrokovan tlakom, spoji se s noćnim burinom. Kopno je vrlo hladno zbog bure, a more je još uvijek dosta toplije. I onda se po noći to spoji, pogotovo do otprilike ponoći. Dok se more ne stigne ohladiti, upravo vrijeme kad su jedriličari obilazili Zaglav, dobije se još dodatnih 78 čvorova na buru. Inače u toj zoni, bura je najjača na potezu od Zaglava do Osora. Kad se pogleda smjer puhanja, to je točno preko puta Senja. Rezultate regate po različitim podjelama možete pronaći na priloženim linkovima: OPEN - svi OPEN - x2 OPEN - grupe svi OPEN - grupe x2 ORC - x2 Kvarner Yardstick - x2 U nastavku se može napraviti i kratka analiza statistike koja je izračunata posebno za dionicu od Ičića do Zaglava, a potom i za kompletnu rutu. Treba primijetiti da su se prvi statistički podaci računali na osnovu procjene dolaska do visine Zaglava, odnosno kad je u pitanju Damacov široki obilazak, vrijeme kad je stigao u njegovu blizinu. Statistika dionice Ičići - Zaglav Jedrilica Trajanje jedrenja Prejedreno Prosječna brzina Max. brzina 1. Damaco 03:42:00 27.95 7.55 13.09 2. Fly 5 03:48:00 24.55 6.46 13.25 3. Libera 03:53:00 24.13 6.21 13.27 4. Žut 03:54:00 26.72 6.85 16.79 5. Ariel 03:59:00 24.25 6.09 12.34 6. Bokeljka 04:02:00 24.10 5.98 13.54 7. Beba 04:19:00 24.22 5.61 11.82 8. Skradin 04:25:00 25.99 5.88 12.84 9. Blue Star 04:53:00 24.02 4.92 11.58 Blue Label 04:30:00 25.10 5.58 14.14 Dolce far niente 04:36:00 25.07 5.45 10.35 Statistika kompletne rute Jedrilica Trajanje jedrenja Prejedreno Prosječna brzina Max. brzina 1. Damaco 07:49:48 53.50 6.83 13.09 2. Fly 5 08:34:23 50.63 5.91 13.25 3. Ariel 08:53:32 50.88 5.72 12.34 4. Bokeljka 09:20:31 50.62 5.42 13.54 5. Skradin 10:28:23 53.64 5.12 12.84 6. Žut 10:40:18 57.66 5.40 16.79 7. Libera 10:40:39 54.56 5.11 13.27 8. Blue Star 13:15:00 56.13 4.24 11.58 Playbacko jedrenja možete pronaći na priloženom linku. Molim jedino da one koji se odluče na analizu snimljenih putanja obrate pažnju na jednu anomaliju u snimljenim podacima, a izgleda da je vezana uz točno određenu geografsku širinu na kojoj svi trackeri, bilo u prilasku ili odlasku od Zaglava, pokazuju pogrešne pozicije. Ako netko zna razlog takvog ponašanja molio bi ga da to podijeli s ostalima! PLAYBACK A malena fotogalerija snimljena na regati može se pronaći na ovom linku: FOTO - SUBOTA READ MORE

ORC Prvenstvo Hrvatske - jedina ovogodišnja regata za ORC Cup Jedriličarski klub Val još jednom je u suradnji s D-Marin Mandalina og 6. do 8. studenog uspješno organizirao Prvenstvo Hrvatske po ORC-u, a spletom aktualnih okolnosti to je bila i jedina ovogodišnja ORC regata koja se vozila i za Kup. Naime, kalendar je predviđao da se većina regata za Kup jedri u proljeće za vrijeme kad je i Hrvatska bila "zaključana", a u jesenskom dijelu planiran je samo Šibenik ORC Cup koji je potom preimenovan i prekategoriziran u Prvenstvo Hrvatske. Najave su ovog puta išle malo konzervativnijim nego tijekom prijašnjih godina. Sve posade koje smo ranijih godina naučili gledati na ovim regatama imale su namjeru sudjelovati, ali svi su bili rezervirani po pitanju slanja prijava zbog konstantne opasnosti od desetkovanja broja članova posade. U posljednjem tjednu taj scenario se i desio na nekim od jedrilica, ali srećom nitko od jedriličara nije bio razlogom samoizoliranja, već su to bili "kontakti od kontakta" i slično. Uglavnom, dovoljno da se poremete planovi svim ostalima na jedrilicama. Ono što posebno veseli kad se pregleda popis posada, a i onih koji su htjeli sudjelovati, je to što se prijavilo i nekoliko jedrilica koje do sada nisu sudjelovale na ovom tipu regata, dok su neke posade nastupile na svojim novim bolidima. Naravno, nije im to bila i prva regata na tim jedrilicama, ali prvo pravo testiranje u tehničkom jedrenju, odnosno na tipu regate gdje je potrebno biti koncentriran prvenstveno na maksimiziranje vlastite izvedbe, a ne toliko na pokrivanja i taktička nadmudrivanja s protivnicima. Također je na ovom PH bilo zanimljivo i to što se značajno povećao udio posada koje krmu jedre s genakerima... sa spinakerima je ove godine jedrilo manje od pola flote, odnosno četiri posade, a također treba reći da je čak šest jedrilica imalo svoju premijeru u ORC-u, pa kad se sve uzme u obzir ovo je bio vrlo zanimljiv test po mnogim pitanjima. Foto: regate.com.hr Tjedan pred početak regate očekivalo se 14 jedrilica, ali u četvrtak se što u Mandalinu, što u Vodice, vezalo devet posada: Molo Longo, Damaco, All 4 One, Gringo 3, Elaya, Mr.J, Mareus II, Orca i Pixel. S obzirom na odgovarajuće CDL koeficijente koji ih svrstavaju u pojedine ORC skupine i broj jedrilica u pojedinoj skupini, Regatni odbor davao im je zajedničke starteve i bodovao ih je na zajedničkoj ljestvici, pa su proglašeni prvaci Hrvatske samo u ORC A skupini. Vremenska prognoza za cijeli vikend bila je povoljna u smislu temperatura i izostanak kiše, ali tako stabilno vrijeme dozvoljavalo je samo lagane vjetrove. U petak, prvog dana regate, na more se izašlo najkasnije i uspješno su organizirana dva plova. Oba su se jedrila po laganoj tramburi koja je malo pojačavala kako se sunce približavalo horizontu. Tako je prvi plov odjedren po brzinama vjetra od 6-9 čvorova, a što je kasnije softver za proračun rezultata najbržoj jedrilici po ORC korekciji izračunao da joj je prosječni izvedeni vjetar bio 7-9 čvorova (stupac Implied Wind u rezultatima), dok je u drugom plovu računalo "izbacilo" da je korigirano najbrži jedrio po prosječnih 10.5 čvorova. Softver koji proračunava rezultate inače podatak Implied Wind-a ispisuje za svaku pojedinu jedrilicu i ranije su se rezultati ispisivali s tim podacima za svaku pojedinu jedrilicu. Međutim, posljednje dvije-tri sezone taj podatak o vjetru uzima se od jedrilice koja je bila korigirano najbrža i "fiksira" se svima u floti i kalkulacija se potom mora ponoviti. Tako dobiveni rezultati su konačni. Na kraju se ispostavilo da su ta dva prva štapa ujedno bili i najdulji štap kursevi po kojima se taj vikend jedrilo. Duljine su im bile preko 6NM, odnosno prva orca je bila dulja od milje i pol. To je otprilike neka optimalna duljina po uvjetima laganijeg do umjerenog vjetra. Jedino je posada Molo Longa mogla malo negodovati po tom pitanju, jer jedrilici te veličine definitivno više odgovara polje veće duljine, ali većina flote je bila prosječnih četrdesetak stopa duljine pa je taj podatak prevagnuo prilikom postavljanja polja. S druge strane, ovo je bila prva ORC regata jedrilice Molo Longo. Kako je riječ o plovilu koje je ciljano dizajnirano za sudjelovanje i pokušaj osvajanja Trščanske Barcolane, njen karakter je čisto openaški i praktički je riječ o velikoj surf dasci. Primjera radi u njenom trupu nema stajaće visine, silueta je vrlo niska, ima canting keel, a o snasti ne treba previše trošiti riječi. Uglavnom, njeni koeficijenti nakon premjeravanja su bili vrlo blizu granice po kojoj bi se uopće mogla svrstati u ovu flotu, a sredstvo s kojim postiže svoje najbolje performanse (canting keel) u ORC regati ne smije koristiti, odnosno, kobilica mora biti fiksirana u sredinu kao što je na svim ostalim jedrilicama. Koliko to ima posljedicu na njeno jedrenje najbolje se vidi u orci u kojoj je Swan 45, a ponekad i Salona 42, stizao prije ovog Ceccarellija 53. Naravno, u dionicama niz vjetar Molo Longo je to sve nadoknađivao, ali svejedno matematika nije bila na njegovoj strani. Pobjedu u prvom plovu odnijela je posada jedrilice All 4 One. Od ove sezone viđat ćemo je na Jadranskim regatama s novim vlasnikom, Karlom Kuretom za kormilom, a njegova prethodna Salona 34 prešla je pod zastavu JK Zenta i nadamo se da će se ponovno vratiti na naše ORC regate od iduće sezone, ali ovog puta s novom posadom. U ovom plovu Kuret i posada su dojedrili 21 korigiranu sekundu ispred sviju, a na drugom mjestu završila je posada iz Pule na jedrilice Orca, dok je Zadarski Gringo 3 završio na 3. mjestu. Rezultati All 4 One i Gringa 3 nisu toliko iznenadili koliko rezultat Puležana koji su tijekom nastavka prvenstva pokazali da to ipak nije bilo slučajno! Inače, na regatnom polju primjetno je bila bolja lijeva strana na kojoj su se sve jedrilice nalazile veliku većinu vremena. Taj pritisak je u nastavku dana imao za posljedicu da se za drugi plov cijelo polje moralo zarotirati u lijevo za dvadesetak stupnjeva jer je to prethodilo odlasku vjetra u lijevo za toliki kut. Na ovom novom polju totalni rezultatski preokret... Orca dominantno osvaja prvo mjesto s 42 sekunde ispred Mareusa II i skoro dvije minute ispred Damaca! Tako da nije bilo nimalo upitno tko se u petak vratio u marinu na liderskoj poziciji. Prognoza za subotu nije nagoviještala toliko dobre uvjete za jedrenje štap polja, pa je ta situacija iskorištena za jedrenje navigacijskog plova. S uvrštenjem navigacije na klasičnu ORC regatu kalkuliralo se i diskutiralo dosta vremena i od ove sezone je to trebala postati konstanta, pogotovo što je ORC odredio da se od lani na svjetskim prvenstvima jedri po dva navigacijska plova. Tako su se naši ORC jedriličari usuglasili da se to kod nas uvrštava u službene Oglase regata koje se jedre za Kup i da se za navigaciju ostavi dan kad su najnepovoljniji vremenski uvjeti. Startna linija navigacije ponovno je postavljena između Zlarina i Obonjana, a kako je puhala lagana bura postavljena je jedna bova u smjeru orce i koja se morala obavezno okrenuti. Nakon toga ruta je vodila oko Šibenskih otoka. Lijevim bokom trebalo je ostaviti Prčevac na sjeverozapadu i Komoricu na jugoistoku, te desnim bokom hrid Galijola ispred Prvić Luke i završiti u cilju u Zlarinskoj luci. Duljina rute koja je uzeta u kalkulaciju bila je 19.5NM. Formula po kojoj se radila korekcija jedrenog vremena bila je Offshore TMF (Time Multiplaying Factor, ranije poznato kao Time on Time - ToT). Prvi realno u cilj ulazi Molo Longo nakon malo manje od tri sata jedrenja, ali ORC softver je izračunao da je zakasnio za All 4 One više od pola sata iako je u cilju bio više od dvadeset minuta prije njega. Na drugom mjestu završio je J 111 imena Mr.J. Inače je to jedrilica na koju je prešla posada koja je do prošle sezone jedrila na malenom Firstu 34.7 - Ladies First s Damirom Desabotom za kormilom. Foto: regate.com.hr Dok se jedrila navigacija vjetar je s bure ponovno okrenuo na tramontanu i svi su do cilja stigli dovoljno brzo da se po tramuntani može odjedriti još jedan štap. Start je signaliziran u 15:15, postavljena orca duljine 1.43NM i jedrilo praktički do zalaska sunca. Uvjeti na moru su bili vrlo slični onima iz drugog plova, pa čak i brzina vjetra koja je fiksirana po All 4 Ona na 9.3 čvora. Flota je podjednako jedrila na obje strane regatnog polja, osim što je većini taktičara procjena bila da favoriziraju lijevi gate. U svakom slučaju dan je bio maksimalno iskorišten, jedino što se od regate nakon završetka četvrtog plova morala oprostiti jedrilica Elaya, novi Elan E5. Naime, ova jedina slovenska posada na regati, morala se vratiti doma do ponoći zbog epidemioloških pravila u Deželi koja nisu dozvoljavala izbivanje iz Slovenije dulje od 48 sati. Unatoč tom ograničenju, tolikom putu i transferu iz i u Biograd, te jedrenju s jedrilicom koja trenutno nije dovoljno konkurentna za ozbiljniji rezultat u ovoj floti, ova posada je ipak stigla na regatu da uživa u jedrenju i definitivno ih treba pohvaliti zbog toga i mnogi drugi bi takav pristup trebali uzeti za primjer! Na kraju dana u generalnim rezultatima dolazi do smjene na tronu i vodstvo preuzima posada All 4 One, dok Orca pada na drugo mjesto, a Mr.J preuzima treće mjesto od Mareusa koji pada na četvrto s jednakim brojem bodova kao i petoplasirani Gringo 3, dok im je samo jedan bod iza Damaco. Program (Oglas) regate dozvoljavao je mogućnost jedrenja još tri plova u nedjelju. S prvim plovom krenulo se u 11:55, ali nešto kraće polje s najjačim vjetrom tog vikenda omogućilo je da jedrenja idu jedno za drugim. Ponovno se jedrilo po tramontani koja je sad u prvom plovu dana puhala brže od 10 čvorova, da bi u posljednjem plovu softver izračunao da je prosjek bio 11.6 čvorova. Po pitanju biranja strane regatnog polja ponovio se scenario od prethodnih dana. Prvi plov pritisak po polju bio je ravnomjerno raspoređen i jedrilo se i na lijevoj i na desnoj strani. Međutim, kako je tramontana jačala skoro svi su birali jedrenje na lijevoj strani, a najvjerojatniji razlog ovakvog gradijenta vjetra po regatnom polju je što je polje postavljeno praktički kao nastavak Zmajanskog kanala. U dva od tri odjedrena plova pobjedu je odnio All 4 One, dok je u trećem slavila Orca. Uz Kuretovu posadu u top tri jedini konstantni su bili momci i djevojke s Damaca s dva druga i jednim trećim mjestom. Na kraju, kad su se zbrojili svi bodovi i odbacili najlošiji rezultati pobjeda odlazi posadai jedrilice All 4 One, drugoplasirana je Orca, a na trećem mjestu ekipa s jedrilice Damaco. Evo što su o regati izjavili predstavnici najzadovoljnijih: Jedna stvarno lijepa regata, ne samo zbog toga što smo na kraju pobijedili, naravno to podiže cijeli dojam. Uvjeti za jedrenje su bili odlični, rekao bi i idealni. Možda je nedostajao još neki brod, ali skupilo se 5-6 ekipa s ambicijama, pripremljenim posadama i brodovima. U svakom slučaju smo uživali jedriti! Konkretno gledajući ekipu na mom brodu odavno nisam jedrio neku regatu gdje baš sve tako dobro štimalo. Možda je i mene to malo iznenadilo. Osim druge regate kad sam napravio krivi taktički potez, nepotrebno odvajanje, sve ostalo je prošlo glatko. Nije bilo nikakvih problema u manovrama, komunikaciji i odlukama... tako da sam baš ugodno iznenađen kako su prošla ta tri dana. Ovo mi je bila prva regata s genakerom nakon što sam na staroj Saloni puno jedrio u klasičnoj konfiguraciji i mogu reći da sam i po tom pitanju vrlo ugodno iznenađen. Downwind VMG nam je stvarno dobar, pogotovo gledajući neke od brodova s kojima se možemo mjeriti... npr. Gringo 3 i Damaco. Tako da sam iznenađen kako u odnosu na Gringa dobijemo par duljina broda u krmu na jednu stranicu, a sa Swanom smo po malom vjetru tu negdje, ako ne i brži. Kad bi zapuhalo Swan bi nam napravio 2-3 dužine na tih milju i pol stranice. Mislim da je to super jer sam očekivao da bi s njima mogli imati problema, pogotovo kad vjetar digne na 14-15 čvorova, ali zadnja regata kad je vjetar digao nije bilo nikakvih problema. Također i kut koji smo vozili u odnosu na Swana bio je možda samo 7-8° orcaniji, što me stvarno ugodno iznenadilo. S druge strane rejting nije toliko nastradao. Dobro na 5-6 čvorova "plaćamo" dosta, ali smo i brži, a onda se ta razlika anulira kako zapravo spinaker postaje efikasniji u odnosu na genaker. Ali s druge strane manovra je neusporedivo lakša i jednostavnija i na kraju, suma sumarum, ne namjeravam se vraćati na spinaker tako lako. Osim ako neki brojevi kasnije ne pokažu da će rejting biti isplativiji sa spinakerom, ali sve ostalo je na strani genakera. Karlo Kuret, All 4 One - kormilar Regata je bila odlična, organizacija također, čak nismo mislili d aćemo uspjeti odraditi tih šest štapova i navigaciju. Stvarno bez greške! Što se nas tiče moram reći da smo možda jedrili i najbolje do sada iako na ovom brodu jedrimo već 4 godine u manje više jednakom sastavu. Vrijeme i vjetar su nam odgovarali, odnosno što je manje vjetra trenutno nam više odgovara za približiti se brodovima koji su ispred nas. Što se tiče posade ne bi nikog posebno izdvajao jer je svatko na svojoj poziciji odradio izvrstan posao! Bili smo maksimalno sinkronizirani... od mene za kormilom, pa taktičara, do trimera jedra i genove, pitmana i bowmana. Moram reći da nam se bowman ozlijedio u nedjelju prije isplovljavanja. Uganuo je zglob, ali svejedno dao je sve od sebe. Uglavnom, sve smo odradili kako treba, osim što smo bili preko linije na posljednjem startu, pa smo se morali vraćati... mislim da smo tri sekunde bili vani... probali smo zapojati, ali što sam više išao u poju to nam je krma više izlazila vani, a brodovi od ispod su stiskali. Tako da nismo imali dovoljno prostora ispod nas da se vratimo na vrijeme. Ali niti tada se nismo predali. Rekli smo što je tu je, tu smo gdje jesmo i pokušali smo dati maksimum koliko možemo. A kad smo vidjeli u petak da smo ispred sviju i da možemo biti tako visoko nismo mogli vjerovati. Naša očekivanja su bila da ako budemo unutar pet da smo napravili odličan rezultat. Sam odlazak na regatu visio nam je u zraku, jer par dana prije nego je brod krenuo prema Šibeniku na popisu nas je bilo samo četvero. Još nismo znali idemo li... ovaj može, onaj ne može... ali nekako smo se skupili i evo rezultat je to sve nagradio! Malo mi je žao što se nije skupilo još nekoliko posada, jer znam koliko teško je okupiti osam ljudi ili deset ljudi za četiri dana... Svidjela mi se i navigacija. Bova od orce i kasnije kroz otoke. Vjetra je bilo OK za navigaciju... prvi dio regate bilo je manje vjetra. Startali smo odlično i do bove smo se držali s ostalima. Malo teže je bilo držati korak kad je krenulo laško. Neki su dizali driftere, neki genakere... mi nemamo tog "oružja", ali zato kasnije nakon što smo okrenuli Prčevac i krenuli u krmu bilo je odlično. Nama je odgovaralo za spinaker i tu smo se jedno vrijeme držali s Mr.J. On nam je kasnije pobjegao jer je bio brži s genakerom, ali zato smo ostale iza sebe pokušali držati na distanci. U jednom trenutku smo dobili čisti vjetar iz vani, sa zapada i to nas je još više odvojilo od Pixela, Mareusa i Elaye. Onda smo vidjeli da nas prvi nisu nešto puno ostavili, pa smo stisnuli još do cilja. Čak smo u posljednjoj orci imali i dosta dobru brzinu i radili smo do cilja bez prestanka... ni jesti ni piti :) I za kraj svi zajedno, kao posada, želimo se zahvaliti Davoru Zaniniju koji nam je ustupio brod i koji ima veliko povjerenje u nas! Goran Zuban, Orca - kormilar Teo Piasevoli me zvao na regatu i rekao da ćemo jedriti na Swanu 45, a ja kako ne pratim premjere nisam znao kako stojimo i kakve su nam uopće mogućnosti. Tako da meni osobno rezultat nije bio toliki motiv koliko da zajedrim sa Šibenčancima s kojima mi je to uvijek zadovoljstvo. Ono što mi je posebno drago za regatu je to što se održalo sve što je planirano, cijeli program, pogotovo što su sad kraći danni, a s druge strane ORC traži stabilne uvjete. Ali taj Šibenski akvatorij nije podbacio i moram reći da mi je on uvijek zanimljiv za jedriti i mislim da su tu najbolji uvjeti za održavanje bilo koje regate. Mi smo na početku malo platili danak nepoznavanju broda. To nam je u stvari bilo ono što nas je u stvari najviše koštalo, jer prvi dan smo jedrili sporije nego što smo jedrili posljednji dan... dok smo spoznali što ide, što ne ide, što može bolje... ali s druge strane nisu nam ni jedra baš odgovarala uvjetima na regatnom polju. Naš setup je optimalan za vjetrove od 10 do 15 čvorova. Nismo imali ni jedinicu genovu, ni spinaker jedinicu... nas je to stvarno koštalo kad smo jedrili po laganijim uvjetima. Mislim, rejting to plaća, a nemaš jedra s kojim to možeš opravdati! A generalno gledajući mislim da smo odjedrili vrlo dobru regatu. Da smo bolje poznavali brd na početku moglo je biti dosta bolje... recimo prvu regatu, prvu orcu, napravili smo ogromnu prednost koja se prebrzo topila u krmu, jer je vjetar bio prelagan za naša jedra, nismo znali kakav nam je optimalan trim... ali stalno smo ubrzavali i to je najvažnije. S druge strane na brodu je stalno vladala dobra atmosfera, dečki su bili motivirani za rad i kako smo rezultat stavili u drugi plan jer s ORC-om je to uvijek teško prognozirati mogli smo opušteno jedriti i bez presinga dati sve od sebe. Na kraju, u nedjelju, vjetar je počeo ulaziti u taj range koji odgovara našim jedrima i da ga je bio još neki čvor više vjerujem da bi rezultati bili još bolji. Tomislav Bašić, Damaco - taktičar Što se tiče rezultata sa svim relevantnim podacima za analizu, njih možete pronaći na slijedećim linkovima: REZULTATI - 1. PLOV REZULTATI - 2. PLOV REZULTATI - 3. PLOV - NAVIGACIJA REZULTATI - 4. PLOV REZULTATI - 5. PLOV REZULTATI - 6. PLOV REZULTATI - 7. PLOV U rezultatima posljednjeg plova može se primijetiti da nedostaje jedrilica Pixel, a razlog su bile neodgodive obaveze posade zbog kojih su morali ranije napustiti regatno polje. Foto: regate.com.hr Kako su na regati bili postavljeni trackeri, kako na bove, tako i na jedrilice, od snimljenih podataka napravljeni su playbackovi i izvučena statistika za svaku pojedinu jedrilicu za regate u štap poljima. Snimljene statističke podatke možete pronaći na priloženim linkovima: STATISTIKA - 1. PLOV STATISTIKA - 2. PLOV STATISTIKA - 4. PLOV STATISTIKA - 5. PLOV STATISTIKA - 6. PLOV STATISTIKA - 7. PLOV Playbackove pojedinih jedrenja možete pronaći na slijedećim linkovima: PLAYBACK - 1. PLOV PLAYBACK - 2. PLOV PLAYBACK - NAVIGACIJA PLAYBACK - 4. PLOV PLAYBACK - 5. PLOV PLAYBACK - 6. PLOV PLAYBACK - 7. PLOV Naravno tu su i bogate fotogalerije snimane sva tri dana, kako iz gumenjaka, tako i iz drona, a mogu se pronaći u fotogaleriji za 2020. godinu ili direktno na slijedećim linkovima: FOTO - PETAK FOTO - SUBOTA FOTO - NEDJELJA Foto: regate.com.hr Eto toliko o ORC-u za ovu natjecateljsku sezonu, koja je srećom ipak održana unatoč svim zaprekama, a s obzirom na prikazani duh i entuzijazam na ovom Prvenstvu Hrvatske za očekivati je da iduća sezona ponovno privuče pozornost jedriličara i ovoj tehničkoj disciplini, koja jedina na našim regatama krstaša traži puni sportski pristup i angažman. Još par tjedana je ostalo do objavljivanja službenog kalendara HJS-a za sezonu 2021. i tada će se točno znati raspored regata za ORC Kup iduće godine, ali ono što je za sada poznato je da će vjerojatno broj regata ostati jednak kao i posljednjih godina, a po dosadašnjim informacijama sponzor ORC toura i dalje će biti D-Marin. To bi i dalje sa sobom trebalo vući uobičajene beneficije za članove Udruge ORC jedriličara, ali konkretno o cijeloj temi kad za to stignu službene potvrde! READ MORE

3Di RAW UPGRADES J/109 CHIMAERA‘s SAILING TEAM Top-Notch Service and Expertise Yield Success 📸 Brendan Fogarty / photogroup.ie Andrew Craig purchased a J/109 in late 2016 and made a plan with his friend and North Sails expert Maurice’ Prof’ O’Connell based in Ireland to optimize his inventory. Over the next two years, the two put together a plan for a fresh new inventory of 3Di RAW upwind sails and spinnakers to help propel Chimaera to success. Why a J/109? Most importantly, It’s an excellent platform for racing in Ireland. Prof’s brother Aidan is a fan, so he was able to talk Andrew into it. Chimaera’s first event was a windward/leeward series, so the first sail built was a new asymmetrical spinnaker. “It was an immediate success,” Andrew says. “We were able to run deeper than any other boats out there. My newfound competitors started asking questions because that’s how fast we were DDW.” Next, Andrew upgraded to a 3Di RAW mainsail and an NPC club racing A2. “By the end of that first season, I had a good suit of racing sails, and that brought on the desire to be more competitive,” he explains. “We were sailing well, and we were ready to start traveling to events outside of Ireland.” 📸 Marc Turner / CCC A Program Built for Speed By the end of 2018, Andrew had acquired a complete “battle stock” of sails: a new 3Di RAW J1, J2, J3, mainsail, and an A4, and A5. “That stock we keep rolled in my sail loft, separate from our weeknight club racing. It’s important to have the best sails for the main events.” In 2019, Chimaera won the six-race Scottish Series, one of the most significant keelboat events in the UK, by a full eight points. They also earned Boat of the Week honors. “This year, we planned to defend our crown,” Andrew says, “and of course, everything got canceled! We had two days of club racing in September– which we won. We are happy to have that, at least!” Andrew says 3Di changed the power, feel, and handling of the boat. “Our trimmers found it instantly easier to trim the 3Di sails. It became easier to respond to pressure changes. From what I’ve seen, I can sail higher, for longer.” Maintaining the right heel angle is essential on the J/109, and Andrew says that’s easier now that he and the trimmers are working together better. “Settling into a groove, so your helm is neutral is what you want, and we’ve been able to achieve that.” Lightweight + Shape Holding He was also impressed with the shape-holding abilities of 3Di over four seasons of hard use. “My J2 was my predominant sail, and she’s got great shape–still. The firmness, coupled with the trim settings, allow us to reach a higher point of sail, and we could feel that it was more stable. It’s nice to know that I can hang in situations where I am fighting for a lane or need to create a new one, with less interference from the helm, allowing the crew to work the jib.” He also noticed how light the sails were compared to his old suit. “My mainsail is just 15 kilos, and for having a mast that is 45 feet tall, that’s pretty great. I packed up the sail bag and was prepared to lift some considerable weight, but realized right away it was significantly lighter than I would expect. Carrying less weight and being able to have options is great. I believe that 3Di has the one-up on any sail made of laminated materials.” 📸 Brendan Fogarty / photogroup.ie Working with the North Sails Network Andrew says the service he’s received from Prof and the North Sails network has been exceptional. Just a couple of weeks before the first event of the Scottish Series, Andrew requested a J3 to cope with Scotland’s windy conditions. “Prof turned that around very quickly. It was delivered to the event location just in time, with only two weeks’ notice. Prof has not only worked with me on sails, but he’s also helped me optimize everything from lines to halyards—everything we can do to make the boat handle fast and well. Having his support helped guide our way to success.” Prof is a regular part of the crew as well, serving as an onboard coach and tactician. “When Prof joins us, he heightens our energy levels, which reminds us of all the things we need to focus on. Sailing with A-sails is a new thing for me, so it has taken some time to get used to. Now I am very confident, and we are fast on all points of sail. What Prof has done to help us achieve our goals.” Prof has also helped grow the J/109 class in Ireland, Andrew adds. “North Sails have a close association with the class, running clinics, coaching sessions, and debriefs after racing. It’s a great way to help raise the bar in the local competition.” Chimaera and her sails are stored away for the winter, but Andrew’s already looking forward to 2021. “The Dun Laoghaire Regatta has a three day one design series, followed by IRC racing. We plan to be there!” The Value of Sail Care + Service When Andrew isn’t racing, he keeps his sails dry and clean. After each season, he is diligent about getting them serviced. “It’s important to stay on top of that. It’s a fraction of the cost when you are considering the cost of new sails. It’s absolutely worth it to have your gear regularly inspected by your sailmaker, and keep an eye on things to make sure you are doing your part to maintain your investment.” 📸 Brendan Fogarty / photogroup.ie READ MORE

CRUISING CLIENTS GET A NEW 3Di WARDROBE North Sails Expert Austin Powers Shares All On Cruising Clients with New 3Di OCEAN As we all know this year has been unlike any other in the sailing world. In the last couple of updates, we have been focusing heavily on all of the amazing results that our customers have been achieving around the Chesapeake Bay. This month we have decided to shift more towards a cruising focus, as we are also in the great migration season where cruisers up and down the East coast start to chase warmer weather. For those lucky few, they are able to head south to paradise on their sailboats. For this month we want to highlight two boats who both received new suits of performance cruising sails in North’s 3Di family. The first is a Beneteau 473 called Flight Risk who took delivery of some new 3Di OCEAN 330 series sails. Specifically, an In-mast furling mainsail and 140% roller furling genoa. The owner of this boat, previously had woven polyester sails and was ready to take a step up in performance over his previous set. The 330 series utilizes the same polyester fiber that is found in woven sails, but when paired with the 3Di production process you get a significantly more durable, lower stretch sail, with no extra weight from Mylar to stabilize the fiber. Both the In-mast mainsail and roller furling genoa had stable shapes that could be de-powered easily which means better pointing, less healing, and arriving to the destination quicker. 140% Roller furling genoa has a rope luff on opposite side for roller reefing The North Sails service team along with Will Keyworth to help with the test sail (Will Keyworth Photography) Also this month, the North Sails Annapolis loft put new 3Di OCEAN 700 sails on a Swan 77. The boat was captained by Peter Horton who decided to go with North Sails after receiving sails on a previous Swan. This boat had just gone through a full refit including new decks, rigging, mast painting. The only piece left was to bend on the new sails. North’s OCEAN 700 series which is geared to be the most durable Superyacht-centric product that we offer. This series uses a blend of Ultra PE and Aramid Fibers to make a rugged low stretch composite sail that makes little compromise on weight. Next month we plan to check in on the various Frostbite series happening around the bay. We hope to see all of our customers out on the water! 3Di OCEAN 700 with White Surface tapes, Full Carbon C tech battens READ MORE

NORTH SAILS DOMINATES MELGES 24 CHARLESTON OPEN North Sails Jeff Bonanni Shares Replay Credit: Daniel Bergey What factors do you believe led your team to the win? Team owner and helm John Brown did a great job managing thin lanes, which allowed us to execute our strategy in every race. What was your inventory at the open. What sails did you use? What difference did you notice between you and other teams? We had light to medium breeze, with flat water, so we used the North Sails AP-3K mainsail, J-7K jib and P-1 Reacher. These designs are the gold standard in the Melges 24 class, and we like these particular sails for the lighter breeze in Charleston. They react to sail control changes very well, which is important on a short race track like Charleston when you need to work through a few upwind modes. How was your overall feelings like heading into the last day? Any nervousness? Was there anything your team had to do well to remain in standings? I wouldn’t say nervous, our team has a lot of strong personalities with even more self-confidence. The breeze was very light on the final day, and ultimately the only race was abandoned. I find it very difficult to stay engaged when waiting for breeze, but we kept the energy up and remained prepared. List your top three takeaways from this event. In Charleston, stay disciplined with regards to current strategy. Current trumps all other factors in this location particularly. Always stay in touch with the pack of boats in front of you. There are many opportunities to pass and even more opportunities to gain as long as you stay close to the pack just ahead of you. Ensure that you’re tuned and trimmed for the conditions! With the flat water conditions we had at the regatta, a firm leech seemed to work best for us. What’s next on the racing circuit for the Melges 24 class? What are you most looking forward to? Our next event is the Atlantic Coast Gulf Coast Championship in Mobile, AL. We plan on sailing all the events through the 2021 Worlds in Charleston, which we’re most looking forward to. Why do you like racing in the Melges 24 class? What keeps you coming back? We think this is the best sport boat design ever! It’s very rewarding to sail, takes us to beautiful venues all over the US and World, and we all have life-long friends sailing in the class. Credit: Daniel Bergey Shop Inventory Contact an Expert Request a Quote READ MORE

THE AMERICA’S CUP HEATS UP IN AUCKLAND Key Developments from an Evening with Burns Fallow 📸 Emirates Team New Zealand Time is closing in on the 36th America’s Cup which commences in Auckland on the 6th of March 2021, and with the recent launch of Emirates Team New Zealand’s (ETNZ) second boat, competition is heating up between the teams. North Sails and ETNZ were delighted to host an evening of discussions at the ETNZ base, kicked off by an exclusive virtual video from North Sails President, Ken Read in Newport, Rhode Island, announcing his plans to come to New Zealand to commentate for the duration of the America’s Cup. North Sails Auckland General Manager, Richard Bicknell, introduced North Sails designer and speaker for the evening, Burns Fallow. As one of the most sought-after sail designers in the world and a colleague of Bicknell’s for 20 years, Fallow started working for North Sails in 1988 and has since been heavily involved in the Whitbread, Volvo Ocean Race, and the America’s Cup, with this cycle marking his sixth Cup; a special milestone to reach. From Grand Prix to Superyacht sails, Fallow holds an international presence in sailmaking and takes great pride in designing sails for more local boats as well. He also spent time mentoring younger designers across the globe, namely Gautier Sergent in 1999 who is now the chief sail designer for INEOS TEAM UK. We have compiled our key takeaways from the in-depth discussions had by Burns Fallow and teammate Rob Salthouse: 1. The AC75’s are the fastest monohulls ever to sail upwind: Reaching speeds of 20 knots velocity made good (VMG) upwind, the AC75 marks the evolution of sailing over the last 20 years. No other sport in the world has seen improvement like this over such a short time. “The AC75 Class Rule is the bible that we have to abide by in terms of specifications of the yacht,’’ Fallow explains. “The rules can sometimes get in the way of great ideas, but in this class, unlike the last couple of Cup cycles, it has been left reasonably ‘open-ended’ to let different teams express themselves from a design point of view.’’ 2. Why do we want boats to fly? It is a reduction of drag. Carrying a hull through the water when sailing upwind or downwind, the boat is going to travel slower than if you can just rely on the foils to balance all of the aero-forces. 📸 Emirates Team New Zealand 3. Key Design Areas: Hull: With an overall length of 75-feet (including bowsprit), the four teams weigh within 1 kg of each other. The foils and cant-axis are fixed, and so is the displacement. All of these factors are tightly policed. Foil Wings: Sitting at the bottom of the foil, the wings are an active area of development and a highly critical part of the design process. The tab on the back of the foils is controlled manually to make the boat fly high or low. Rudder: The AC75’s have a single rudder on the centerline with a horizontal wing (elevator) at the back. The elevator is an actively controlled surface and thus has limits in width, height, and length to help maintain flight. Rigs: The rigs are only just longer than the boat at 26.5m compared with the AC72, which had a 40m mast length. The AC72 and AC75 weigh about the same with a similar righting moment, but in place of a keel, the AC75 has two foil arms, so a taller mast would affect the stability of the boat when off the foil. This can make the transition period tricky when trying to get the boat to take off, so requires a lot of management. Double-skin Mainsail: Large D-Section spar with a pair of mainsails hoisted together to retain traditional concepts of sail design. The double-skin reduces drag by stopping the sails flapping through the tacks and is also very stable through manoeuvers. 4. Racecourse: Races will start later in the day (~16:00 NZDT) to increase the chances of a good sea breeze developing and also working better for coverage around the world. The pre-start will be between 2.5-3 minutes, starting upwind with a windward leg followed by two or three laps to the finish. The typical race length is expected to be approximately 25 mins. 5. All North Sails teams are using full 3Di inventories: Fallow comments, “It gives me a huge amount of flexibility as to where I want to put tapes. If I’ve got a problem area in a sail which I spot in the simulations, I can put some tape there. The makeup of the fabric is the same as what we might use for any boats with 3Di sails. The primary difference is the percentage of carbon we might put in relation to the Dyneema from a longevity/toughness point of view. But our sails are built on the same machines, same molds, same design software.’’ 6. All the operations and functions of the foils are manual: There is no ‘follow-the-dot’. Controlling the foils lies all in the hands of the guys onboard who are doing other jobs as well. They’ve got a lot on! Looking ahead, the four teams have a series of match races over 2-3 days in December (Christmas Cup), followed by the PRADA Cup in January to determine which of the Challenger teams will take on the defender Emirates Team New Zealand. To win the America’s Cup, first, you have to win the PRADA Cup. So now it’s time to sit tight and wait to find out who will take home the oldest trophy in international sport. 📸 Emirates Team New Zealand READ MORE

#NSVICTORYLIST: IRISH CLIENTS STAND OUT IN 2020 A Successful Year Despite Unusual Circumstances Light air sail set-up session on Beneteau 31.7 'After you Too' Dublin Bay in July. Nigel Young: Cork Here at North Sails Ireland, we wanted to celebrate our clients' fantastic achievements in 2020. Despite this being the shortest Irish sailing season on record, our amazing clients still made the best of it whenever they could get on the water. We put together our traditional Victory List for 2020, thinking it might not add up to much and we were very pleasantly surprised; congratulations to all the winners powered by North Sails. It was like letting off a champagne cork in July when suddenly all the racers were released from captivity! Sometimes you have to stop what you are doing and take stock to realize how much you enjoy something. I think that was the case for so many other sailors and me when we could finally get back sailing again—remembering why we love this sport so much and just enjoying the simple act of sailing. The beauty of limited travel was that I was home to participate in lots of local races that I may have missed in the past. New experiences with new teams and sailing different types of boats made it all the more fun. We had lots of sail orders in the process when the pandemic hit, so once the restrictions were lifted, we were all swamped, checking out new sails and working with our clients out on the water. We are all looking forward to 2021 and a slightly different sailing season ahead, fingers crossed! : 'Lambay Rule's winning HYC Wednesday flying her 3Di 780 Mainsail and Code 1 Jib. : Aboard JPK 1080 'Rockabill VI' winning DBSC Thursday race in August flying her 3DL 860 Mainsail and 3Di 780 Code 2 Jib. : DBSC Racing on Beneteau 40.7 'Tsunami' © Onboard Images by Prof Maurice O'Connell: Dublin We all know that 2020 continues to be a strange one! What I loved about it was the sheer unbridled joy that our fantastic clients all over Ireland experienced once they got out racing again in July. I was chomping at the bit! In that short two-month window, I fitted sails, raced with clients, and coached teams in the HYC Wed night series, the DBSC Thursday and Saturday series, the truncated RCYC Autumn League, and the epic Fastnet 450 race co-hosted by the National YC and Royal Cork YC. I also visited Bangor in Co. Down and several clubs in Strangford Lough to deliver new sails and coaching sessions with our clients there. Well done, and thanks to all our amazing customers for squeezing in these fantastic results in 2020. Sail FAST, and here's to lighting a BIG Christmas candle for 2021! https://youtu.be/-SnGH8uxpJQ Shane Hughes: Wicklow 'Well, 2020 will have to go down as the most bizarre sailing season in my (and I'm sure most of our) living memory. Looking back, it is hard to believe we got any sailing in at all, but we did! Actually, for the few months that restrictions allowed us out on the water, the appetite for competition and often just the option to be on the water enjoying fresh air and sailing generally left me with a very positive feeling about how 2021 will pan out. Far from a reluctance to get out there, the pervasive attitude was positive and proactive. I hope this spirit is carried forward into 2021. Sailing wise, I got over to Howth for the midweek series running over there. DBSC, as always, was well supported, as was the ISORA series. One design racing for me was restricted to the J80 Nationals in Dun Laoghaire. As for minimal events, I managed to get some socially distanced Fast 40 sailing in the UK, including around the Isle of Wight race with just 6 of us onboard; that was busy! Near the end of the year, we managed to get one regatta sailed on the Club Swan 50, but all in all, the international regatta calendar was a washout this year. In June, I also took ownership of the North Sails Ireland sail service operation from Richard Marshall. The support I have received so far from North Sails clients has been truly amazing, and I am very grateful for that. As a new start-up business in the current pandemic, I did not expect such a positive response, but we are fully up and running now and getting a great response so far. We are looking forward to working with existing and new clients in 2021 and are standing by to help with all your sail care needs, so please get in touch and get prepped for a busy 2021. Fingers crossed! Nieulargo takes the winning gun overall in the Fastnet 450 Chris Power Smith and his J122 team take line honours in the Fastnet 450 Denis & Annamarie Murphy overall winners Fastnet 450 READ MORE

NEW LIFE WITH NEW SAILS Customer Spotlight: Matthew Henderson Local North Sails expert Drew Mitchell sat down with Matthew Henderson, owner of C&C 29 MK2 Mariah, to discuss her new sails and the impact they've had. In the last 18 months you have purchased a full set of upwind and downwind sails off North Sails for Mariah. Why did you choose North Sails over other sail makers and how was the experience? North Sails and Drew Mitchell were recommended to me by Dave M on Boondoggle (J/160). Being my first set of sails on my first boat (which I had only owned for a year) I was still figuring out what I wanted from new sails and how I was going to be using the boat long term. Drew helped explain some materials, construction, PHRF size limits, battens, etc. rather than just turn around a quote like some others and it earned my business. I was very happy with the upwind sails and chose North again for two new kites a few months later. I’m very happy with the new sails and the difference they make. With the current state of the world people are sailing with less crew. You are a racer/cruiser that is usually sailing short handed, how have you set up your boat differently than say a full time racer/cruiser that sails with a full crew? Fortunately the boat was well setup for singlehanded sailing when I bought it: Nice 40 speed Andersen self-tailors, traveller and mainsheet easy to reach from the wheel, and all control lines led aft. Being a bit of a tender boat I’ve focused a lot on mainsail control. I’ve added temporary means to add tension to the babystay, added a Cunningham, and led the Vang aft to the cabintop. I’ve also focused on sheet leads with inhaulers, barberhaulers, and tweakers to get a bit more out of the sails I’ve got up and avoid a peel. When switching from cruising to racing does much change on the boat? If I happen to have some casual crew I tend to do very little. If I’m single-handing or with crew that cares I give the bottom a scrub and unload everything I can: 200ft of anchor chain and the primary anchor, the two 10lb propane bottles, crab traps, cockpit cushions, tools, spares, 600ft of stern line, barbeque… the list goes on. I follow you on instagram and it seems like you are out on the water all time. How many days have you got out this year and how do you manage to get out so often? As of November 8th I’ve been off the dock 102 days this year with 400 hours underway. 65 days were single-handed. With working remotely all spring/summer using the boat just became habitual with every sunset sail after work, morning coffee on the hook, and hoist of the sails reinforcing it. There’s plenty of daylight after work all summer and the Espar works well when it’s cold. I can’t understand why marina’s aren’t empty every weekend. What was your longest trip this year and where did you go? What is your favorite part about cruising in the PNW? I had three big trips this year; 10 days in Desolation in early July and 10 & 20 day trips throughout the Gulf Islands. Swimming in the dark with phosphorescence glittering over my entire body is definitely a favourite. What was your favorite cruising moment this year? The dinghy shenanigans were certainly memorable. Took the 8ft inflatable through some 10kt rapids in Von Donop Inlet and got four dinghies lashed together up on plane just to name a couple. What races have you done this year and what is your favorite part about sailboat racing? I did the unofficial round Bowen, Great Gambier Gallivant, Big Breakfast Bonanza, RNSA, Jack & Jill, and a couple other unofficial laps. I enjoy comparing my skills and boat performance to everyone else and learning as much as I can. Learning all of the local tactics with respect to tides and winds helps me stay sailing while cruising longer and get to my destinations faster. Every sailboat owner is always working on his/her boat. Do you have any projects on the go or planned for the near future for Mariah? I’m hoping to replace all of my running rigging over the winter with some higher tech stuff, I’ve got new clutches and deck organizers to install, new v-berth hatch to install, a transmission to rebuild, and some lights I want to replace. If you had a choice of any racer/cruiser to race and cruise in the PNW which boat would you choose and why? I’ve had a big crush on the J/112e lately. Modern rig and sail inventory, great performance uphill and downhill, moves in light air, it isn’t trying to be a floating apartment, and I’d be happy to take it to Hawaii and back if I can get the time away from work. READ MORE