WORLD CLASS SAILOR DAVE SWETE JOINS NORTH SAILS

North Sails announced today that Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup World Series sailor and former North Sails sailmaker, Dave Swete has returned to North Sails as a sales representative in the UK. Originally from Auckland, New Zealand, Swete has been an onboard trimmer for two Volvo Ocean Race teams, most recently Team Alvimedica in the 2014-15 race. He has raced in almost every major offshore race during his professional sailing career and won the World Match Racing Tour in 2009 with Adam Minoprio.

“We are thrilled Dave has chosen to return to North Sails after an 8-year professional sailing hiatus that offered him many impressive experiences and victories,” said Bob Lankester, sales manager for North Sails in Europe. “He has competed in the Volvo Ocean Race twice, two America’s Cup World Series events, the World Match Racing Tour, and is a regular in the Mini Maxi 72 fleet, to name a few of his many accomplishments. He is keen to bring his experience and skills back to the North family and we are happy to have him return to our team here in the UK,” Lankester continued. Dave, commonly known as ‘Sweety’, “particularly enjoys passing his knowledge onto clients and ensuring they are having fun and getting the most out of their North sails,” Lankester concluded.

“Having sailed every leg of the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015 and being in charge of onboard sail repairs, I was truly impressed with how little work was needed on the sails during the race,” Swete said. “This included a North 3Di mainsail that held its shape remarkably with over 40,000 miles sailed, leaving me to believe we could do another lap of the planet with the same sail! This really opened my eyes to how special a company North Sails is, from sail design to innovative products, to the finishing touches and support network. It it an absolute honor to be re-joining such an awesome company.”

“Dave Swete is a very versatile sailor and sailmaker,” said Charlie Enright, skipper of Team Alvimedica and North Sails representative. “He is competitive and committed to excellence which makes him a great fit with the North Sails team. Because he is experienced in sail care after working at North Sails in New Zealand, he understands the bridge between sail construction and sail performance which is a very unique skill set.”