TEASING MACHINE WINS THE 2022 ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE

North Sails Clients Commanded The Podium Of This 606 Mile Race

North Sails climbed to the top of the podium with the overall victory of Eric de Turckheim’s Teasing Machine in the 2022 Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Eight years after their last attempt, Teasing Machine added the 2022 Rolex Middle Sea Race to their impressive collection of race wins. Owner Eric de Turckheim and his crew climbed to the top of the podium as the overall winner under IRC and claimed the Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy.

Teasing Machine is no stranger to success, as evidenced by podium positions in the Rolex Fastnet, the Rolex Sydney-Hobart, and the RORC Caribbean 600. Yet, de Turckheim holds the Rolex Middle Sea Race with particular regard.

“From a very young age, I have had a passion for the 600-mile races. To me they are like the tennis majors,” commented de Turckheim. “So it is a huge emotion to win a grand slam sailing event. On top of the elation of victory, this is also our favorite race because of the extreme technical complexity of the course and the weather.”

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For North Sails, Teasing Machine‘s win embodies the value of hard work and a strong partnership between the team and their sailmaker. Launched in 2017, the boat took delivery of their new North Sails inventory this past winter in time for the Caribbean 600. The NMYD 54 is outfitted with a full North 3Di RAW inventory with liberal use of the revolutionary Helix technology. Pro sailor and close friend of North Sails, Laurent Pages, manages the program, while North Sails Expert Laurent Mahy is in charge of sail design and was onboard for the win in Malta.

The #NSVictoryList also included a podium sweep in the MORCA fleet. The winning MOD70, Riccardo Pavoncelli’s Mana had the benefit of a North Code Sail to help secure a very narrow (56 seconds!) victory over second place MOD70 Zoulou, sailing with Thierry Fourchier of North Sails aboard. “Luckily all our maneuvers came out right, Pavoncelli commented who was undeniably thrilled with the win, commented. “Paul Larsen did a fantastic job and we managed to stay ahead.”

Giovanni Soldini’s Maserati rounded out the top three with a full 3Di North inventory.

“The Rolex Middle Sea Race is one of the most complicated events on the Mediterranean. And these outstanding performances demonstrate the power that North Sails design, service, and sales are capable of offering our clients, both in terms of resources and technical assistance,” remarked North Expert Jean-Philippe Gallois, who sailed aboard the Marten 72 Aragon finishing in the Top 10 overall.

“The North Sails experts work hard to maintain a close relationship with our customers. Regardless of whether or not we can be onboard, we foster and maintain strong bonds through constant communication before, during, and after a regatta. That includes sharing last-minute advice in the lead-up to the start. Our clients, teams, and experts are all considered part of the North Sails family and benefit from that bond.”