UPGRADE YOUR J/70 INVENTORY FOR 2021

North Sails adds the XCS-4 Mainsail and the J-2+ Jib to the class line-up

The J/70 class attracts sailors who demand the best, and North Sails continues to upgrade and improve an already successful inventory. New for 2021 are two designs added to the North class line-up; the XCS-4 Main and J-2+ Jib. Here’s what you need to know.

XCS-4 Mainsail

The XCS-4 is a fine-tuned adjustment to the successful lineup of North Sails J/70 mainsails. “It is an all-purpose sail, designed to match the stiffer masts that have a hard time getting the proper prebend in light air,” North Sails expert Will Welles explains. “It would be a nice choice for teams that sail on the lighter side of crew weight.”

J70 Class leader and sail designer Ruairidh Scott calls the XCS-4 an evolution of the European championship-winning XCS-2 design. “We have worked hard to make the sail smoother and flattened it slightly. While the F-1 main remains the flattest in the North lineup, the XCS-4 delivers optimum performance in a variety of conditions. The sail is easy to trim and suited to both Selden and Southern Spars masts.”

“Our goal is to develop sails that help our customers be successful and confident. The work that we put into J/70 sail design let us help you sail at your best.”

J-2+ Jib

The 2021 J-2+ adds a little more depth to the already successful J-2. “We are trying to make this jib easier to use,” says North Sails J/70 expert Eric Doyle. “The J/70 has quite a stiff carbon mast, which makes it hard to sag the forestay in really light conditions. The J-2+ is slightly fuller down low and forward, for more power and a bit more entry angle. In-hauling precision is less critical with the J-2+, so this is the ideal sail for those of us that don’t get to race as often as we like. It’s really an upgrade when racing in bumpy conditions and driving the boat is challenging.”

For teams who prefer to set up with more rake, the J-2+ is also available with a 50mm shorter leech.

Sail design improvement is a long process. After collecting feedback from the fleet, several North Sails J/70 experts talked with the designers about how to make the J-2 jib more powerful and a little easier to trim. Starting from the existing base shape, the designers spent several months refining it into what became the J-2+. Once everyone was convinced the result was an improvement, customers were asked to evaluate it and again provide feedback. Its first regatta wins were the Annapolis Fall Regatta and the Annapolis Fall Brawl.

Giulio Desiderato used this new design to win the 2021 Bacardi Invitational Winter Series Event #1, and he is excited about making it easier for customers to get up to speed in difficult conditions. “We are lucky to have successful sailors that travel around the world sailing J/70’s and bring ideas back to our great designers,” he says. “Our goal is to develop sails that help our customers be successful and confident. The time and work that we put into J/70 sail design will save sailors time, so trust in our work and let us help you sail at your best.”