NORTH SAILS BLOG

SAIL CARE & MAINTENANCE TIPS Ways You Can Protect Your Investment 📸 Cate Brown / Block Island Race Week 2019 There are many ways you can help prolong the life of your sails. Here are some pointers to keep you aligned with our sail care maintenance practices, which can be part of your regular routine while on your own whether you are at home, or on your boat. Preserving the life of your sails is important for performance and you can take these guidelines to help protect your investment. Avoid prolonged flogging of sails. Flogging and leech flutter can degrade a sail’s performance before its time. Minimize motoring into the wind with flapping sails. After hoisting sails, trim promptly and steer a course so the sails fill rather than flog. Use your sails in their designed wind ranges. If you don’t know the recommended wind ranges for your sails, contact your North sailmaker. Adjust your leech line to eliminate leech flutter (tension it just a touch more than necessary to stop the flutter). The tension needed will change as the breeze increases and as the jib sheet is adjusted. Do not over-tension the leech line; if the leech becomes hooked, ease it off. Proper placement of genoa cars will also prevent leech flogging on your genoa. 📸 Michael Egan/ Egan Images Avoid unnecessary contact between sails and standing rigging. Avoid releasing the genoa sheet late in a tack. Backwinding the leech against the windward spreader tip will distort the leech and can split your sail. To combat chafe, be sure to cover spreader ends, and check there are no exposed split pins, cotter pins, or other sharp edges around the mast, foredeck, lifelines, and turnbuckles. These can chafe and/or tear your sail. Make sure your sails have extra reinforcement in areas of high chafe. Spreader patches on overlapping genoas and mainsails, as well as extra chafe protection on headsails where they come in contact with mast mounted radars and stanchions, will extend the useful life of your sail. 📸 Michael Egan/ Egan Images When leaving the boat, ease the jib halyard, main halyard, and outhaul to prevent permanent luff and foot stretching. Releasing batten tension also reduces distortion at the batten ends Limit exposure to the sun for extended periods of time. UV rays are one of your sail’s worst enemies. Roller furling genoas should have UV-resistant material covering the leech and foot. If you store your mainsail on the boom, make sure it is always covered when not in use. Rinse your sails with fresh water and dry thoroughly before storing, to prevent mildew and color bleeding in spinnakers. Rinse fittings in fresh water to help prevent corrosion. Store dry sails in a well-ventilated location. And remember, making sure they are dry is as important as the initial rinse. Wet sails create mold issues. Avoid folding sails on the same fold lines so that small creases don’t become permanent. 📸 Michael Egan/ Egan Images Remove mildew stains on polyester, Spectra/Dyneema or Vectran sails promptly. Use a mild household bleach solution with water and a soft cloth, then rinse thoroughly. DO NOT USE BLEACH ON NYLON, ARAMID, OR LAMINATED SAILS. To remove oil/grease stains, scrub with Simple Green and a soft brush, then rinse. Follow with a mild soap scrub and rinse to remove the Simple Green completely from the sail. Be careful not damage the sail with excessive scrubbing. Depending on the stain, you may not be able to remove it completely. Removing rust stains is tricky. We recommend that you contact your North Certified Service expert for treatment. We may not be able to completely get rid of it, but we can make sure the area is still in good working order. Regularly rinse sail bag zippers or lubricate with silicone spray. Patch minor tears as soon as possible with a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). Avoid using duct tape! Check nylon/polyester downwind sails a few times each season for small tears. Catching small holes early can reduce the chance of them becoming bigger tears later on. Spray luff tapes on both genoas and mainsails as they slide up the track, using a Mclube-style lubricant. This will help clean the tracks and make hoisting and dousing easier. 📸 Michael Egan/ Egan Images Check battens for splintering. Splintered battens should be replaced, or at least taped, so the splinters don’t harm the sail. Check luff slides and other hardware to make sure they are still securely attached to the sail. Check seam stitching to make sure it is still intact. UV can quickly damage certain threads. Have your North Sail Certified Service expert inspect your sails at least once a season. Regular inspection will prevent small problems from becoming big ones. You can also ask your local loft to create an onboard sail repair kit for your specific sails. Keep a sail log. Photographing your sails on a regular basis and logging the hours they are used will help you and your sailmaker evaluate your sail inventory seasonally. Your sail photos can also be digitized and analyzed using North’s SailScan computer program. Contact your North representative for details. 📸 Michael Egan/ Egan Images READ MORE

CREATING A STARTING PROCEDURE How To Use A Conservative Starting Routine To Eliminate Big Scores When you look at the best teams in sailing, a common trend is how regimented and organized they are at a regatta. They show up each day well ahead of time and generally follow the same pre-race routine, the same on the water warm-up, and meticulously mark settings and take notes about each day's races and lessons learned. This is done to eliminate as many variables as possible to give themselves the best chance of winning the event. Creating team procedures and schedules can drastically reduce mistakes and allow the team members to maintain a more relaxed and procedural mindset on the water. A common misconception is that starting has to be this chaotic event at the beginning of each race that is won with instinct and improvisation. Starting can actually be treated very routinely with a few steps that can land front row starts the majority of the time. When I sail with someone who is having a tough time finding a consistent start, we break it down into a step by step, conservative method to get off the line and head to the correct side. Pre-Start Plan Before the sequence even begins, I go through the starting plan with the skipper to make sure that we are both on the same page with how the start should go. In this time we work through pinging the line, a wind shot, and a proper back down to clear the foils. We then identify which third of the line we want to start in (pin third, middle third, boat third). As the skipper gets more comfortable with the routine we might get closer to each end, but to just get in good starting habits we try to keep it as simple and as low density as possible. It is also important to clearly establish the terminology that will be used on the starting line. Using terms like “copy” and “understood” help keep tensions down when trying to determine whether crew members are hearing communications. If you are in a starting rut, keep it to the low density areas away from the ends. As you get more comfortable you can start closer to the ends if the situation calls for it. The Circle Harping back to keeping it simple I get the skipper immediately into the circle that the majority of the fleet ends up in during the pre start sailing on starboard towards the pin and the gybing and heading on port towards the boat. At first, it is always a gybe at the pin and a tack at the boat side. If you are in a class where you are allowed an instrument that gives you distance to the line, I will also give the target distance in which we want to be sailing. The more data driven I can be with these directions, the easier it is to be on the same page as the skipper. The distance from the line you want to be circling is very boat and condition dependent. The most important is to communicate the target depth to keep the entire crew on the same page. Port Tack Approach When it is time to head back on port for the final approach towards our intended hole, I will give a time to turn back and a final depth in the box number. Generally the windier it is, the deeper in the box we will be because we will eat up distance quicker in the breeze. If we are trying to start in the boat third, the turn back time will be sooner than if we are shooting for a middle or pin third start. For example we might turn back at 1:45 for the boat, 1:30 for the middle and 1:15 for a pin third start. As we prepare to tack into a hole, I will identify which boat that we will tack underneath in advance. If you are in a starting rut, keep it to the low density areas away from the ends. As you get more comfortable you can start closer to the ends if the situation calls for it. Tacking into the Hole The target of this tack is to get as close as we can to the windward boat and to generally keep at least a quarter of the bow out ahead of the windward boat. I will generally talk through the tack about exit angle weather we want to be tight to the wind or on a general close hauled course. After the tack we need to immediately be looking for boats trying to do the same to us. Generally the best defense when a boat comes into leeward is to show your bow down parallel with the line for a brief moment to force the leeward boat to tack early and then turn back up. With this maneuver you will at least have one boat length of space to leeward. From this moment it is important to not let any boats come from your weather side and hook you to leeward. Crew communication here is key to have someone keeping an eye behind. Tacking tight to the boat to the windward side is paramount. Staying high out of the tack helps kill speed and maintain height inside of your hole. Approaching the Line “We are in our final approach, we have a nice hole to leeward, what now?” Once we have our hole, I relay to both the trimmers and driver the rate at which I want to approach the line. Remember, if the wind is shifted right you will use up distance to the line at a quicker rate than if you are in a left shifted breeze. The goal is to always be sailing toward the line on a close hauled course luffing when needing to control speed. Too many times boats that have to head onto a reach to stay below the line use up their hole to leeward and get pinched off soon after the start. Try to leave room to sail a close hauled course to the line. Try and avoid reaching right before the start as you lose your hole to leeward and can slip sideways on the turn up. The Start We hit the line with speed and in the front row, now it is time to work to stay punched out until the first shift. Final starting jobs include one member on the radio to listen for OCS boats, and one person giving relative speed and height to the immediate boats around off of the line. In putting your starting routine together, the main aspect to focus on is to identify the critical pieces of information that the particular helmsman is looking for. Finding conservative ways to be in the top group off of the line EVERY time and not just gambling at the ends is the priority. Following some of these steps will help eliminate the starts that cost major places over the duration of your next regatta. Crew starts calling relative speed and height immediately to try and maintain a clear lane. READ MORE

ROLLER FURLERS & UV SUNCOVERS: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW Understanding Your Furler and How it Works Will Prevent Disaster 📸 Billy Black What happens if you furl your sail the wrong way? – with the sun cover on the inside instead of the outside of the furl? Unfortunately, we see the effects of this in our service lofts around the world. The result is UV damage to the sailcloth that has been left exposed to the sun, instead of being protected by the UV leech and foot cover. Most often, this happens when a sail has a UV cover that is the same colour as the sail material. Such as a white cover on a white sail or a grey cover on a grey sail. When the sail is rolled around the headstay in the wrong direction – with the UV protection on the inside of the roll, it is not always obvious leaving the base sail material exposed. In some cases, this can happen on a new sail that has been installed incorrectly – with the sail cover that is on the inside of the furl due to the direction the furling drum turns when furling – either clockwise or counter clockwise. This also can happen seasonally when the boat is unrigged or mast is not stepped (assembled and placed vertical). If the furling line is re-rigged, it must be wound the correct direction around the furler, to be compatible with the sail. Fortunately, North Sails always have a sticker displayed as a visual reminder that the sail is furled the correct way based on what side the UV protection is applied. 📸 Michael Egan/ Egan Images To avoid this mistake which may result in the need for a sail repair, here is a short checklist to ensure that your sail is installed with the UV protection on the outside: Determine which side of the sail has the built in UV protection – for coloured UV materials this is easy – but not as much as matching colors. The UV cover is either on the Port or Starboard side of the sail. If there is any question regarding which side of the sail is protected please contact your local North Sails professional for assistance. There are many easy ways to tell which side your UV protection is attached. Next, you want to check that the furling line has been loaded into the drum so that the sail will roll with the UV on the outside. An easy rule to follow is that the furling line needs to enter/exit the drum on the opposite side than the UV protection. i.e if the UV is on the PORT side of the sail, then the furling line needs to exit the STARBOARD side of the furling drum. Normally, it is a very easy fix to re-rig your furling line, by unwinding it completely, then re-winding it in the opposite direction. Once you are certain that your furling direction is in sync with your UV protection, you can be confident in leaving your sail hoisted and furled for extended periods of time. Please note, the type of UV material and your latitude make a substantial difference in the length of time and level of protection you can expect from your UV leech and foot covers. 📸 Michael Egan/ Egan Images READ MORE

MEET OUR FURRY COWORKERS Working From Home Has Its Perks Meet Louisa's furry coworker while she works from home. Tell us about your furry companion, name, age, favourite activities? Jack is a fur-ball of fun at 7.5 months old labradoodle who is quickly growing into his floppy ears. He weighs in at a hefty 55 lbs for a puppy who is constantly burning energy. His favourite activities are stealing his parents socks and eating his dad's shoes, not to mention cuddling as much as possible (belly rubs are his favourite). Do you take him/her sailing with you ever? We hope Jack is a nautical dog. He hasn’t been on a boat yet however we’re hoping to get him on the sailboat as soon as possible. He loves walks on the beach and close to the water, even though he doesn’t like the sound of waves. It’s a work in progress though and he will be getting his first lifejacket very soon. How is he/she adjusting to your temporary work from home order? Jack is loving having both of his parents home 24/7. He is a great assistant who helps bring laughter throughout the day. He occasionally sleeps on the job but being cute is hard work! He gets paid in treats and belly rubs, you may occasionally hear him on a video call, he always wants to say hi. How are you reacting to the work from home order? Working from home is great. Other than the mound of boxes as I am trying to move, things are going pretty well. Our loft as a whole has been able to adjust to the conditions and make a plan that works for us and helps customers. Our priorities are always to keep everyone safe, healthy and follow government guidelines. We are working with multiple plans and backup plans to ensure customers can go sailing when the weather gets warm and it’s safe to do so. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and cooperation during this time. READ MORE

The North Sails teams around the world have received a bunch of calls and emails recently. A quick Q+A has been put together to help provide you with information on where we are at during this crazy time. We also hope the information below provides you with a realistic outlook that we will eventually get back to some semblance of normal, and find joy in an activity we all love. Are you still making sails? Yes. At North Sails, we are taking all the recommended safety precautions to limit the impact of COVID-19 in our production facilities. One advantage of multiple manufacturing facilities globally is that there are several countries that we manufacture in which have had less effect from the crisis to date, while others have had quite a large effect and are currently in shut down. The current situation is very fluid, and at this time, we are running essential operations at our sites when permitted, that will not compromise the health and safety of our staff and clients. All in all, we are up and running to the very best of our capabilities during this crisis. Can I still get my sails serviced? You can coordinate sail drop off and pick up with your local team in any open location. If picking up, please ensure invoices are prepaid and schedule a time with your North sales or service representative. The phone is your friend. Call and schedule a time for pick up or drop off out in front of the building. We are continuing to arrange sail collections, deliveries and installations with clients by appointment. Please contact us to arrange your’s if your local area allows for this freedom of movement. Again, local regulations are different from place to place thus, so we have no global policy. We are completely reliant on our local teams to monitor and support this process. When I order new sails, I usually come in to the office and go through all my details with my sales rep…can we do all this over the phone or the internet? Absolutely. We will continue to provide our customers with world-class customer service via the phone, text messages, or virtual meetings. We can add in one of our designers to a call. The majority of our staff is working remotely and ready to answer your questions and support where possible. Contact details for your local North Sails team can be found on northsails.com. I have ordered sails. When can I expect delivery? At this stage, our facilities have been for the most part up and running. That said, we do anticipate some delays as countries, states and regions make moment to moment decisions whether the public must shelter-in-place or if people can continue to safely go to their jobs. There are also plenty of shipping questions at this stage with air and water transportation greatly affected. Currently we are handling all questions concerning shipping on an individual basis and recommend that our sales team stay in touch with their clients often. So, the short answer to this question? We are trying to stick to our schedule but do anticipate likely unintended scheduling issues going forward and will work with our clients on a case by case basis. I have sails on order but won’t need them when I thought I would. Will you store my sails until I need them? Absolutely. We call this “Pay and Hold.” We will store your sails on our shelves for no charge. We simply get final payment upon sail completion as normal, along with a confirmation email from our client that the sail has been sold to them and we are keeping it until needed. We keep your sails on our shelves until the sail is needed and we know where to send it. We hope your sails won’t be on our shelves long and we will all be getting on the water soon! I am considering a new sail purchase and hope to be able to use my boat and new sails by the middle of the summer. Can you make that delivery date? At this stage, yes. Depending on the type of boat you have and sail you need, we have delivery slots available in late June, July and August, but be aware we expect quite a backlog of orders to push through so it will be safest to get your order into the system now, rather than relying on a rush request down the road. Again, this will be affected by the country, state, region and local regulations concerning our manufacturing facilities. I can say that when we are able to work within safety guidelines set by local authorities we are doing so at this stage. How is North Sails helping during this crisis? Currently, in many countries in which we have service and manufacturing facilities, we are working with local, regional, and national authorities to begin production of safety masks. Our North Sails colleagues in Italy were the first to start this process. “Cut and sew” facilities can help ease the burden of a shortage of essential materials like masks during a time of crisis. It is the priority of North Sails to utilize our skills and capabilities to help where we can. READ MORE

MEET OUR FURRY COWORKERS Working from Home has its Perks! Meet Chelsie’s new co-workers, keeping her company during her time of working from home. Tell us about your furry companion, name, age, favorite activities? My furry companions are Chow and Miss Poot. Miss Poot is featured in a beautiful North Sails scarf and is ready for action. She weighs in pretty hefty at 18.4 lbs, but she is on a new diet plan to work on her figure for spring (and little does she know, for the rest of her life). She has her eye on a local fella cat which helps keep her motivated. The next contestant, Chow, found a way to activate my printer and print the ink level reports to help out with my workload. He likes to be the center of attention. If things are not going his way, he enjoys eating things he isn't supposed to, scratching pictures off the wall, and meowing. He also enjoys sleeping and climbing trees. Do you take him/her sailing with you ever? Miss Poot doesn't partake in sports but she has modeled at a Nautical themed fashion show for big and tall models in the past. Chow did go on a boat ride once, but he literally jumped ship and we decided not to ever take him on the water again because we kinda like the handsome fella. They do both fancy sitting near the pond and watching fish. How is he/she adjusting to your temporary work from home order? Miss Poot is still getting her beauty sleep as of 3:02pm and as long as the feeding schedule remains intact, she is A-OK. Chow needed a special space created Just for him in the new office...otherwise he threatened to keep pushing buttons on the printer. After that, he calmed down and went to sleep. So overall, I would say, pretty good. How are you reacting to the work from home order? My position as office admin within the loft allows me to be able to function pretty well from home. After getting the kinks out, our loft has been able to formulate a plan as things continue to develop. Our priorities right now are keeping everyone safe, following the guidelines set forth by our local government, and finding creative ways to take care of our customers as we near the sailing season. We are also working on Plans A, B and C to make sure everyone gets their sails in time. We will have more information on that for everyone soon. So far, customers have been understanding and helpful with our shelter in place restrictions. All in all, I think everyone is working together to weather this storm so we all come out ok on the other end. READ MORE

Bacardi Cup 2020. FOTO: MARTINA ORSINI I ove godine posada Marin Mišura - Tonko Barač, naš najbolji dvojac u klasi Zvijezda, dobio je pozivnicu za jedrenje na prestižnom Bacardi Cupu. Svi sudionici, a bilo ih je u osam različitih klasa, na Floridi su boravili od 1. do 7. ožujka. Mišura i Barač su ujedno bili i jedini hrvatski predstavnici na ovoj regati i s obzirom na aktualnu Korona situaciju imali su dosta sreće, jer ih nisu zadesili nikakvi problemi prilikom povratka na stari kontinent. A kao i većina razgovora ovih dana u cijelom svijetu i ovaj je počeo s njom u prvom pitanju. Kad smo mi bili tamo nije bilo opasnosti. Mislim da je tada aktualno bilo samo na sjeveru i u Kanadi i još se nije spustilo na jug. Tako da mislim da smo od tamo otišli u posljednji tren. Sletjeli smo u Munchen kao da se ništa ne događa... kad smo došli doma nitko nas nije ništa pitao, tako da nismo u nikakvim karantenama i samoizolacijama. A i obojica smo još uvijek bez ikakvih simptoma. A regata... moje mišljenje je da je dobro prošla... rezultat je puno bolji nego što je bilo moje jedrenje. Ja se nikako nisam mogao spojiti s taktikom. Gdje god sam išao nisam mogao pogoditi stranu. Tu smo se puno mučili... Onda opet i ono naše standardno, da smo išli praktički bez treninga. Dok pohvatamo krmu i sve ostalo prođe pola regate. Ovo 24. mjesto u prvom plovu... da smo bili u treningu sigurno bi u cilj ušli 13. ili 14. jer smo tako i okrenuli prvu bovu. Tako bi imali to 24. manje. Miami je specifičan. To najviše dolazi do izražaja kad je mali i srednji vjetar. Onda je teško vidjeti vjetar na moru. Boja mora je takva da se vjetar i refuli ne mogu baš tako lako razlikovati, a puno je rupa. Može se desiti da brod koji je ispod tebe dvadeset metara, njega uhvati pritisak, a tebe ne i onda on napravi razliku. Ako si to skužio onda si stvarno mogao profitirati. A u globalu je bio mali vjetar. I onda je to veliki problem sa Stellom, pogotovo kad se jedri krma. Tu nastaju velike razlike i tu se dosta gubilo. Mi smo se zato najviše nadali da ostanemo na poziciji na kojoj bi okretali prvu bovu, a stalno smo bili u prvih 10-12 brodova u prvoj orci. Tako da je na kraju taj rezultat stvarno puno bolji od onoga kako sam se ja osjećao. Mislim, nisam nezadovoljan rezultatom, već s tim kako sam ja jedrio. Mučio me onaj osjećaj kad nisi siguran što radiš unutar polja. S druge strane iznimno sam zadovoljan sa startevima! Sve skupa smo napravili 9 ili 10 starteva. Jedan nije bio toliko loš, ali nismo bili dovoljno komodni nakon njega, dok smo sve ostale mogli birati gdje ćemo i na kojoj strani nastaviti regatu. I onda me ljutilo to što iz tih situacija nismo mogli izvuči najbolje moguće. Po pitanju vjetra bilo je isto zanimljivo. Jedan dan smo imali 15-18 čvorova, ali ne može se reći da je bio dan s jakim vjetrom, jer je to bilo nešto slično našoj buri. Puhalo je doslovno sa sjevera... doleti reful od 18 čvorova, a onda padne na 7... A ostalih dana smo imali neki njihov lokalni jugozapdnjak. Jednog dana je puhao 14-15 čvorova, pa jedan dan ga je bilo 5-6, pa 8... tako da je bilo svega. Najgori nam je bio dan kad se spustila užasna vlaga. Lokalci su nam rekli da sigurno dvadesetak godina nije bila tolika... temperatura 38°C, sjediš u hladu i znoj ide s tebe... dok sve ostale dane oni koji ne trpe zimu su mogli nositi lagane jakne. Čak je u najavi bila i jedna velika nevera, pa su organizatori kombinirali različite varijante programa, ali na kraju je to stiglo u nedjelju, nakon što je regata završila. Moram reći da smo imali i problema s kutom u orcu. Ali mislim da je to bilo više do moje ruke. Marin Mišura, kormilar FOTO: MARTINA ORSINI Ova regata je bila prva na kojoj su Mišura i Barač jedrili nakon pauze od sedam mjeseci, odnosno nakon Svjetskog prvenstva. U Miamiju su jedrili na iznajmljenom brodu, što je i logično s obzirom na lokaciju regate, ali u sličnom problemu bi bili i da su nastupili na nekoj regati u Europi. U Splitu su primijetili da su se pojavili "valovi" na površini kormila s jedne strane i s obzirom da nije malen posao skinuti kormilo s ove jedrilice, pred odlazak u Miami poslali su je na remont u Italiju kod proizvođača. S obzirom na trenutnu situaciju jedrilica je i dalje na Lago di Como. Naša posada je regatu završila na vrlo dobrom 15. mjestu između 66 posada! Osim analiziranog prvog plova i odbačenog 24. mjesta, u cilj su dva puta ušli kao 12., jednom 13, te još 19. i 23. Jedan bod ih je dijelio od švedske posade na 16. mjestu, dok su im 14. bježali za 15 bodova. Pobjednici regate su posada Mateusz Kusznierewicz - Bruno Prada. Kombinacija koja u različitim klasama ima pregršt medalja sa svih najvećih globalnih natjecanja. Kompletnu rezultatsku sliku možete pronaći na ovom linku. FOTO: MARTINA ORSINI Nije loše podsjetiti da su Split, JK Mornar i Dalmatinska flota dobili domaćinstvo Europskog prvenstva klase u svibnju 2021. Nadajmo se da će do tada globalna situacija po pitanju pandemije biti samo jedna priča koju ćemo svi ostaviti iza sebe i da neće biti problema u organizaciji. Jedino što je trenutno izgledno je to što su Olimpijske igre u Tokiju prebačene na ljeto 2021. i to će sigurno utjecati na startnu listu počevši već od našeg laseraša Tonća Stipanovića koji će u tom periodu biti maksimalno fokusiran na olimpijsku regatu u Japanu. Ali slavnih imena iz svijeta jedrenja ne bi trebalo nedostajati, jer je napravljen dogovor sa Star Sailor League o sponzoriranju u vidu trackinga, video prijenosa u živo i osiguranja jedrilica za natjecatelje s drugih kontinenata. Možda niste znali... pravila klase na velikim natjecanjima predviđaju samo po jedno jedrenje na dan. READ MORE

OFF-SEASON CONDITIONING Improving Your Laser Sailing During Off-Season To Better Your Results Laser sailing is one of the most physically demanding boats in the dinghy world. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a high performing international competitor, fitness is one of the most important things you can invest in for many reasons. Improving your level of fitness can impact your speed and boat handling in a laser. Sailing a one design boat means that many variables are relatively the same across the fleet. So, in general everyone across the fleet should be theoretically going the same speed. However, we all know this isn’t exactly the case but if you were to remove a lot of these variables what’s left is the sailor. Any laser sailor knows the harder you hike the faster you will go, having a higher level of fitness can greatly impact your ability to hike harder and go faster. Improving fitness can help reduce chances of injury. Whether you are just joining the class or have been in the class for multiple years injuries are something any athlete in any discipline will endure throughout your career. Strength training to build muscle and endurance can greatly impact your hiking position and how efficient you are in your movements on the downwind legs. Laser sailors don’t just need strong legs for proper hiking, having a strong core and lower back are important things to also focus on as these muscles are used to support your body while hiking upwind. Notice how the word “proper” is used here, a hiking position should be almost straight legs with your upper body extending outwards away from the boat with shoulders being pressed down towards the water. This is why a strong core and lower back are vital to support having your body extending out of the boat. Putting your body into a hiking position isn’t the best thing for your joints and over time laser sailors can experience ankle, lower back, knee and hip problems. Ensuring your strength is developed will mean your muscles can do a better job at supporting these joints by taking pressure off your joints and allowing your muscles to support. As Canadians we have a small window to train and build tiller time throughout the year. That said, having a higher level of fitness can ensure you maximise the time in this window. We love being Canadian but as sailors we hate the short season. If you’re serious about your laser sailing maximizing your time during the spring, summer and fall months is very important. During the winter off-season working on conditioning to have the goal of being fit for spring will mean you will spend less time “brushing the cob webs off” when you first step back in the boat. Enjoy the boat across all levels. Lastly one of the most important reasons which applies to everyone is overall enjoyment of sailing the laser. This doesn’t mean that the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the boat but it will help. The laser can be a tricky boat to sail and many laser sailors find building confidence especially in windy conditions very difficult. High levels of fitness can help build confidence knowing that you are fit and prepared will make any session more enjoyable. Many times sailors will attribute a bad day or bad training session to getting exhausted too soon. Here are some areas to focus on when looking into conditioning: Weight Training The best way to build strength for laser sailing is to sail more in hiking conditions. However, this may not be attainable to all laser sailors. Short seasons and predominantly light conditions hinder sailors from gaining experience and fitness in hiking conditions. Strength training can be different for everyone as not everyone has access to a trainer or gym. Focusing on finding ways to incorporate weight resistance training to build strength by either using free weights, dumbbells, barbells and resistance machines are great. There is no shortage of prepared training programs online that you can do at home or in a gym that will work, the importance is to find what is best for you and to focus on form during workouts to better maximize the workout and to prevent injury. If you are serious about laser sailing the best thing is to talk to a trainer to design a fitness plan thats best for you. Most trainers will try to understand the physical requirements of laser sailing before designing you a plan but if you can find a trainer that know sailing thats even better. Aerobic Training Aerobic training is defined as any activity that is cardio in nature but performed in intervals or short but high intensity sessions. Simple examples that you can incorporate into your offseason conditioning could be running sessions on a treadmill or outside keeping a high pace for short defined intervals. During the offseason many laser sailors turn to the rowing machine for aerobic training. Although these are different sports the rowing machine engages your whole body while at the same time focusing on your cardiovascular ability to keep you body moving. A strong aerobic ability is good for short but high intensity activities things like tacking, mark rounding’s, accelerations and holding lanes in windy conditions. Endurance Training This is pretty simple, incorporating long cardio sessions at least 1-2 times a week will improve endurance. These sessions can be anywhere from 30min or longer. Choosing something you enjoy doing will make these sessions much more enjoyable, going for a long run mixed with some walking or taking up cycling are great for endurance training. Cross Training Cross training can be anything that will get your heart pumping and get you moving. This can be fun part about your off season conditioning. Taking up another activity that you enjoy doing like tennis, basketball, cycling or swimming are just some examples of cross training. Many Laser sailors take up other sports to satisfy their cross training which is great for your conditioning but also for mental health. Changing things up and taking your mind away from the boat will make you wanna jump back in. READ MORE

RIGGING & TUNING THE NEW MOTH 9DSXR Featuring Rob Greenhalgh & World Champion Tom Slingsby Rob Greenhalgh has won National and European titles in the International Moth Class and serves as the North Sails Moth Class Leader. For the newest member of the fleet, to the seasoned champion trying the 9DSX for the first time, Greenhalgh is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to putting the Moth together, and to its highest performance on the water. Follow along as Rob unpacks, rigs, and de-rigs the 9DSX, to learn every detail of caring for your new Moth sail. Moth World Champion Tom Slingsby dominated the 2019 Moth Worlds with the new North Sails 9DSX Decksweeper, engineered to push the limits on speed and durability for maximum performance on the racecourse. Tune-in, as the world champion, gives a master-class on tuning the Moth, taking sailors step-by-step through his tips. Learn the technical details behind the fiery competitor that make Slingsby nearly unstoppable in the Moth class. Buckle up and get ready for take-off. Have questions about Moth sails or how to rig for speed? Contact Rob for more information. READ MORE

LET’S TALK VX ONE Tuning the VX One for Speed Join North Sails expert Mike Marshall for the first session of the VX ONE informal web talk about sailing even if we can’t physically go and do it. READ MORE

Derzeit bestimmen die Auswirkungen des COVID-19 Virus unser tägliches Leben. Wir bei North Sails haben alle empfohlenen Sicherheitsvorkehrungen getroffen, um die Auswirkungen von COVID-19 zu begrenzen. An unseren Standorten setzen wir die wesentlichen Tätigkeiten fort, welche die Gesundheit und Sicherheit unserer Kunden und Mitarbeiter nicht gefährden. Gleichzeitig haben wir alle anderen Aktivitäten vorübergehend eingestellt. Wir sind stets erreichbar Natürlich bieten wir Ihnen weiterhin einen erstklassigen Kundenservice und sind für Sie per Telefon, Email oder virtuellem Meeting erreichbar. Abholung oder Abgabe von Segeln Bitte nehmen Sie vor einer geplanten Abholung oder Abgabe von Segeln mit uns Kontakt auf. Gerne besprechen wir dann mit Ihnen persönlich die derzeitigen Möglichkeiten einer Segelübergabe. Wir alle bei North Sails sind leidenschaftliche Segler und erfahren darin, in ernsten Situationen auf See einen ruhigen Kopf zu bewahren. Helfen Sie uns, diese Einstellung in den kommenden Tagen und Wochen in unser Leben an Land zu bringen. Bleiben Sie gesund! Ihr North Sails Schweiz Team READ MORE

TOP 5 SAILING MOVIES & BOOKS Staff Picks For Their Top Sailing Themed Movies And Books Escape to a different oasis for a little bit with one of our staffs' favourite movies or novels. The Toronto team from North Sails has shared their favourite sailing themed novels and flicks to dive into when things get a little rocky. We hope you enjoy these as much as we do and share some of your favourites as well. Top 5 Movies / Documentaries Maiden An inspirational story that keeps you hooked the moment it starts on the screen with its classic footage and heartfelt interviews. Based upon on a true-story, Maiden follows 26 year old Tracey Edwards and their crew on their quest to become the first-ever-all-woman to compete in the Whitbread race. The book, written by Edwards, is also a fantastic read on the entire endeavour and what followed afterwards. Wind While some may say it's cheesy, it is still an awesome sailing packed film with amazing 12m and i14 scenes. Released in 1992, Wind follows Will Parker on his quest to win back the America's Cup from the Austrians in the early 1980s. The film star's Jennifer Grey, Joe Heisler and Matthew Modine as well as a host of other actors and actresses. No one can forget the classic "Whomper" scene towards the end of the film. A must watch for every sailing fanatic! Morning Light Follow along as sailors compete for a spot on Roy Disney's Morning Light, a TP52 competing in the 44th Transpac Yacht Race. Eleven sailors are selected and trained with world-class instructors to help them prepare for the 2,300 mile race. A heart warming story that showcases the will power, determination and strength of young sailors determined to prove themselves in the prestigious race. One of the young competitors in the film you'll see vying for one of the spots is Volvo Ocean Race sailor and North Sails expert Charlie Enright. Under 30 Available on Amazon Prime, this documovie follows Team Brunel during the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race focusing on two members of the team who are under 30: Louis Balcaen and Rokas Milevicius. An absolutely amazing piece which highlights the life changing adventures of the two young sailors from start to finish of sailing's toughest race. A life changing experience that takes the two sailors around the world with some of the best sailors around, creating a bond that will hold them together forever. Hands down must watch! Captain Ron A feel good favourite for the whole family featuring funny man Martin Short, Mary Kay Place and Kurt Russell. Share a laugh as Martin Harvey (Short) inherits a boat from his uncle in the Carribbean for his family vacation, only to discover upon arrival, the rough state of the boat and their over the top skipper Captain Ron (Russell) as they head out to sea. Top 5 Books Against the Flow by Dee Caffari First solo round the world sailor, Dee Caffari shares her story of stepping outside her comfort zone and achieving her dream. Discover how the then teacher became a record-making yachtswoman through her journey sailing the wrong way around the world. The Billionaire and The Mechanic by Julian Guthrie Discover how Larry Ellison teamed up with a car mechanic to win the America's Cup with Oracle Team USA. Godforsaken Sea by Derek Lundy Classic story for the 1997 Vendee Globe Race, a favourite of our North Sails expert Doug Folsetter. Sailing on the Edge: America's Cup by Bob Fisher and Kimball Livingston Going behind the scenes of the oldest sailing race that has inspired sailors all over for more than 150 years. Beautiful photos accompany this compelling and comprehensive read. A wonderful addition to any sailing library and favourite of team member Louisa Bobyk. Against the Odds by Doug Hunter Discover the story of Evergreen in the 1979 Canada's Cup. Featuring local sailors Don Green, Steve Killing, John Fitzpatrick and Al Megarry to name a few. Beyond Endurance Adam Mayers Learn about the famous 1979 Fastnet race which claimed the lives of 15 competitors and local boat Evergreen competed in. READ MORE

SPEED READING: HOW TO MAINTAIN FOCUS OFFSHORE Day After Day, Mile After Mile, for Extended Periods of Time 📸 Yann Riou Day after day, mile after mile, distance racing reminds us of that never-ending feeling of being stuck in one place for extended periods of time. Hear more from Casey Smith (CS) how to cope with those long periods of isolation where you can only do so much. Casey is a two-time Volvo Ocean Race veteran and was a key member onboard during all of Comanche’s record runs and race wins. Casey knows a lot about being stuck out at sea, but still finds humor in the little things and gets his job done, which is most important. Here are Casey’s tips for maintaining focus while isolated at sea for days on end: What’s the longest race you’ve done? CS: For sure, it’s the Volvo Ocean Race. Four hours-on, four hours-off, the whole way around the world. Waking up and coming on deck, “Oh, hi. Fancy seeing all you guys here! And look, that other boat we are racing against is still right there, and it has been for the last week!” Do you have a sequence of things you think about that help you stay focused? CS: Sleep. Eat. Four hours on watch. Repeat (10, 20, 30+ days…). Do the days blend together or do you lose track of time? CS: You lose track of the days of the week. You never lose track of time because the whole boat revolves around time. The four-hour watch rotation or the weather schedules and boat position schedules are all very closely followed, and everyone wants as much time to rest as possible and also know how you are doing on the fleet. 📸Yann Riou What are some things you think about while you are sailing for extended periods of time? CS: You just need to concentrate on the competition aspect of the race; that’s why you are out there in the first place. Compete and try to win. It’s really important to put everything into sailing the boat 100%. How do you maintain your focus if the weather gets rough and you are on the same tack/jibe for hours on end? CS: Focus comes from wanting to win. Chances are if it’s windy and downwind are probably going fast. You want to make sure you are the fastest boat and keep the pedal down. If you’re sailing upwind, and conditions are windy and rough, that’s a bit tougher because it’s hard to sleep during the off-watch and your energy is a bit lower. Being on the same tack or jibe for long periods is great as it means you get a break from moving sails and equipment so everything has a silver lining! What advice can you give to someone who is sailing offshore for their first time in relation to staying focused and not feeling overwhelmed? CS: It’s all about making the boat go fast. Basically nothing else matters. You have a job to do, it might be helming, trimming, grinding, sail changing and everyone contributes to miles gained or lost. Do your job at 100% and keep the boat moving fast. Also, stay calm and level. There will be times when another boat (or boats) is doing better than you but stay calm and keep sailing your boat 100% as that’s all you can control. 📸James Blake When you are down below, if you are not sleeping, what do you do to still stay alert and ready for when it’s time for your shift to start? CS: Eat. Make coffee for the team. Tidy up the living space up. Dry water out of the bilge. Check the steering and other systems. Watch movies. What are your favorite foods to help stay awake and focused if you are the crew on shift? CS: We are usually limited on what foods we can have on board, so your mind does wander to what food you love and would love to be eating. The reality is you have never seen faces light up as much as when a fresh bag of jerky comes on deck. Coffee and warm drinks are huge as well, but chewing gum is needed after the jerky and coffee. Brushing your teeth is something that slips a little offshore. Is there anything you have vowed to do when you’ve been on a long leg? (Did you do it?) CS: Remember to load some more movies, music or books on the iPod. You can only watch the music video of Umbrella by Rihanna so many times. Staring at the horizon for so many hours on end, have you hallucinated offshore? CS: No hallucinations on deck but I’ve had some crazy dreams during the off watch. Also waking up and forgetting where you are and then slowly coming too. Then the realization of “crap, I’m on the boat and only one week into a six-week leg from China to Rio.” READ MORE

TNT DEFENDS CAPE 31 TITLE Tactician Gareth Blanckenberg Shares His Winning Perspective Defending champions, TNT Racing 📸 C31 Invitational Regatta/Matthew Du Toit The fourth edition of the Cape 31 Invitational Regatta took place in the stunning venue of Table Bay in Cape Town, South Africa. Gareth Blanckenberg, tactician onboard the defending champion TNT, first sailed with Tina Plattner and Tony Norris in early 2018, soon after the boat was launched. "They are quick and super fun to sail,” he says. “Since then, the fleet has grown considerably in numbers and ability. The speed differences are much narrower, and boathandling has progressed considerably." Only six points separated TNT from second place Nitro. "The boats are very evenly matched," Gareth explains, "which keeps the racing tight and brings the excitement. I can't remember not enjoying a day's sailing on them!" "The boats are very evenly matched which keeps the racing tight and brings the excitement. I can't remember not enjoying a day's sailing on them!" The first two days were sailed in a 10-15 knot westerly and flat water, which made for a very one-sided race course. "That can be tricky to manage. It puts a premium on starting well and managing your lane out of the start, and similarly downwind—managing your lane and not getting locked out in a corner." Though the team struggled a bit on day one, consistent finishes on day two moved them from third to first. When the final day of racing had to be called off due to 30+ knots of southeasterly breeze, they were declared the winners. Local class rules specify the use of paneled sails only and forbid the use of carbon. Along with nine of the boats in the ten-boat fleet, TNT's inventory was entirely North Sails using the standard setup of Mainsail, J2, J4, A2 and A3. 📸 C31 Invitational Regatta/Matthew Du Toit Though TNT won the Cape 31 Invitational in 2019, the team had a different mix of crew this year. “Tony Norris and Matt Whitehead were part of the winning 2019 team, so it shows the value of having a strong core and surrounding yourself with capable people that you have confidence in and enjoy. We have all been friends for 20+ years, so it was an absolute pleasure to spend time with these guys, doing what we love; massive thanks to Tony for putting it all together.” The class sails once a month in Cape Town, so the TNT crew is looking forward to the next day of racing. Meanwhile, for all the new Cape 31 teams eager to ramp up their game, Gareth recommends spending as much time together on the boat as possible. “Refining your maneuvers and getting to know the boat will pay dividends. There seem to be a few different ways of thinking across the fleet in terms of setup and trim, yet we all arrive at the top mark at the same time!" For more information on the Cape 31, please get in touch with Sam Richmond or Pete Redmond. 📸 C31 Invitational Regatta/Matthew Du Toit Magic and Arabella go head to head 📸 C31 Invitational Regatta/Matthew Du Toit 📸 C31 Invitational Regatta/Matthew Du Toit 📸 C31 Invitational Regatta/Matthew Du Toit MB Racing 📸 C31 Invitational Regatta/Matthew Du Toit 📸 C31 Invitational Regatta/Matthew Du Toit READ MORE

5 TIPS FOR CRUISING IN THE CARRIBEAN North Sails Austin Powers Shares His Best Cruising Tips & Tricks Here at North Sails we not only put an emphasis on developing the best racing sails that we possibly can, but we also enjoy the challenge of cruising. Last winter, I had the opportunity to take a 14 day trip cruising around Antigua and Barbuda with some of the coolest friends I have ever met. The crew was all under 30 years old, from 4 different countries aboard a Camper Nicholson 48 ketch named Seamogs. They had sailed from Virginia down to the Caribbean for a winter trip by the time I flew in and met up with them. We ended up doing a lap of Antigua with a brief stop in Barbuda for a couple of days around Christmas. Here are five cruising tips I can share from my recent trip: 1. Reef early and often In the Caribbean during the winter months the weather is almost always sunny and windy. However, there can be short squalls that come through very quickly which can ruin anyone’s day. Remember when you are cruising, you are not in a rush “in theory”. Putting a reef in early is always going to be better than having to put one in during the middle of a squall. Worst case, the squall misses you and you shake the reef back out. 2. Create a routine When I arrived on Seamogs, the crew had already done an ocean passage down and was working very smoothly in handling the boat. What is interesting, is that half of the crew had no prior sailing experience before they left Virginia. When I asked them how they had picked up so many skills so fast, they answered they had a routine for everything. When it was time to leave one person was in charge of the anchor, 2 in charge of preparing the sails, 1 in charge of stowing the interior, and the skipper overseeing the whole operation. Now not all of us have the luxury of having a big crew, but even with a crew of two we can assign duties so that nothing gets forgotten when leaving a port or anchorage. 3. Establish a balanced helm Seamogs like most cruising boats spend a lot of time cruising with the autopilot on. When sailing under auto-helm, you want to have the helm balanced so as to not be constantly overloading the autopilot which can lead to damage or failure. This meant I had to change my mindset when trimming the sails from my normal racing set up to a conservative cruising trim. On average, I would say I had the jibs leads further aft, the traveller lower, and the sheet a bit further out than I normally would if I was racing. This allowed “twist” in the sails which took a lot of load both off of the helm and allowed for a flatter ride overall. 4. Dive your anchor In referencing back to lesson one on routines, whenever we anchored we would get settled and then dive down to establish that the anchor was properly set. In my short time there, I watched countless boats start dragging anchor when the squall lines would come through because their anchor was not properly set. 5. Take things slow, and have a fluid plan This was probably the hardest one for me to adjust to personally coming from primarily being a racing sailor. On this crew, there was no schedule on when we would leave or any plans for the day. If the weather changed, we were not afraid to change our destination or timing with it. Being able to slow down and go with the flow is going to be the toughest adjustment for anyone going from a 9-5 job to long-term cruising. Learn more about North Sails cruising inventory lineup. READ MORE

INTRODUCING THE INTERNATIONAL MOTH CLASS 9DSX DECKSWEEPER MAINSAIL An Efficient, Aerodynamic Design With A World Champion Pedigree North Sails proudly launches the 9DSX Moth mainsail range for the 2020 season. Incorporating on-the-water feedback from the 2019 Moth World Championship, the 9DSX is North’s fastest Moth sail to date, as proven by Tom Slingsby, who used the latest North design at the Worlds. “The 9DSX is having the most significant impact on the Moth class right now, explains North Moth Class Leader Rob Greenhalgh. “North Sails has been at the forefront of Decksweeper development over the last year, and are committed to being a step ahead and continuing to deliver the fastest Moth sails.” Made of 3Di RAW, the 9DSX is incredibly strong for its weight, delivering an extremely stable sail capable of handling high loads. Engineered for its application, this 3Di mainsail is durable yet remarkably fast across the wind range. Sail designer Ruairidh Scott was diligent in optimizing the deck sweeping capabilities and sail area under the Moth class rules. The increased decksweeper section maximizes the endplate effect and increases overall sail efficiency by reducing aero-drag. “We took the successful Vi-8DSX design and evolved the sail for 2020 based on the feedback from the 2019 Worlds,” comments North sail designer Ruairidh Scott. “If you’re looking to build a better product, a World Championship win is an excellent place to start. Also available with a reduced overall area, the 9DSXR option is ideal all-purpose sail for lighter weight sailors, or suitable for heavier sailors in big air. SHOP MOTH SAILS READ MORE

WHO WE ARE: KEVIN WIERSMA Get To Know Your Local Loft Expert Kevin has joined our Toronto team for the Spring/Summer of 2020. He has immense experience with Laser sailing and keelboat sailing. He grew up sailing on Lake Ontario with his family and continued to sail Farr 30's while out East for university. His role at within our Toronto loft will focus on client relations, assisting with both the service and sales side. Tell us about yourself. I am 24 years old originally from Burlington, Ontario but have lived in Halifax Nova Scotia for 7 years. I have a bachelor of Business management and a minor in Economics from Dalhousie University and am going back to school to pursue a post grad advanced program in Business insights and analytics. How long have you been sailing and/or involved in the marine world? I have been sailing my whole life starting out on my parents boat out of Royal Hamilton Yacht club. My racing career began when I was 12 years old and progressed over the years to racing internationally representing team Canada, team Ontario and team Nova Scotia in the laser class and C420. Strong Dinghy racing experience was developed alongside many different keelboat disciplines racing on the Great Lakes and Atlantic Canada What are you most looking forward to about working at North Sails? I am looking forward to racing and sailing with North Sails clients passing on as much knowledge as I can and to share the passion we all have for sailing. What’s your favourite part about Summer? My favourite part about summer is definitely being on the water. As Canadians we have very limited time to enjoy the warm outdoors and being on the water is my favourite place to be. What’s your earliest memory of being on the water? Earliest memory of being on the water is definitely my dad taking me after work out to weekday race nights and staying below deck during maneuvers because I was very young at the time. READ MORE

Victory at the 420 New Zealand Nationals North Powers Winning Girls and Boys Teams New Zealand 420 National Champions, Mason Mulcahy and Andre Van Dam powering through the finish line 📸 Phil Williams After dropping just one bullet in 11 competitive races, nothing stood between Mason Mulcahy and Andre Van Dam’s top spot at the 420 New Zealand Nationals. Held on Evans Bay in Wellington Harbour, four days of racing not only resulted in a win from Mulcahy and Van Dam. Amelia Angus and Rebecca Hume took second place overall and was the top finishing female team. We were keen to speak to the overall winners to find out more on their winning secrets. Mulcahy and Van Dam have worked hard to improve their performance from their second place finish at the 420 Nationals in Takapuna last year. Having sailed together for just 16 months, the team now has their sights set on the 420 Worlds in France in July to get further up the leaderboard from their impressive eighth place last year. “You need to have a game plan, start according to your first beat strategy and always start in the front row.'’ Mulcahy and Van Dam agree that Evans Bay was a fantastic sailing area for the Nationals, with lots of opportunities and challenges, crediting the sailing club for such a well-organized event. “It is a tricky sailing venue as it can be quite shifty with some geographic influences depending on wind direction. It was a very well run event given the conditions; we couldn’t have asked for any more from The Evans Bay YMBC facilities.’’ Key to winning 10 in 11 races is knowing how to stay competitive on a busy start line, so we asked Mulcahy and Van Dam their top three tips. Mulcahy explained, “You need to have a game plan, start according to your first beat strategy, and always start in the front row.’’ Sailing with a full North inventory, the team used the M-11 Mainsail, J-12 Jib, and SO-5 Spinnaker. “We have used this combination for the past year and we like it. We also use the North Tuning Guide with a few personal tweaks based on our style.’’ With North clients powering the top nine spots overall, why is North so dominant in this fleet? Who better to ask than North Sails New Zealand One Design expert, Derek Scott: “Everyone in New Zealand and around the world that use the North 420 sails trust and know that the sails are perfect every time they refresh their sail inventory. There is consistency with the designs which means the boat settings for an old J-12 Jib will remain the same when replaced by a new J-12 Jib. Our sail designs also cover all sailors, ranging from those starting in the class to those fighting it out for the top spots.’’ “Everyone in New Zealand and around the world that use the North 420 sails trust and know that the sails are perfect every time they refresh their sail inventory.'' Congratulations to Mulcahy, Van Dam, Angus and Hulme! Browse the 420 Shop Inventory and view the full list of results. New Zealand 420 Girls National Champions, Amelia Angus and Rebecca Hume 📸 Phil Williams READ MORE

Chers navigateurs, chers clients, chers partenaires, Depuis plusieurs jours nous nous préparions à faire face aux événements liés à la crise du COVID-19 et sa propagation en Suisse et partout dans le monde. La dernière annonce du conseil fédéral de décréter l'état de nécessité, a pour corollaire la fermeture immédiate de la voilerie au public et ceci jusqu'à nouvel ordre. Sécurité avant tout ! Nos collaborateurs sont notre bien le plus précieux. Nous mettons tout en œuvre pour les protéger tout en continuant à vous fournir un service irréprochable. Une majorité d’entre nous travaillent maintenant en mode « Home Office » et sont donc capables de poursuivre leurs activités. Nous vous encourageons à nous adresser toutes vos demandes par email, ce qui nous permettra de continuer à vous servir et de garder le lien. En ce qui concerne nos activités de logistique et de service, celles-ci sont maintenues avec des mesures d'hygiène strictes respectées par tous depuis plusieurs jours. Nous ne prenons plus aucun rendez-vous physique avec nos clients, mais vous proposons des alternatives afin de répondre au plus près à vos attentes. Nous continuons à recevoir voiles et accessoires de la part de nos fournisseurs. Retrait de vos voiles et accessoires à la voilerie Nous avons beaucoup de voiles qui sont prêtes, nos collaborateurs sont à votre disposition par téléphone, what’s app, email, afin de gérer avec vous leurs mises à disposition ou, dans la mesure du possible, leurs livraisons à bord. Continuez à travailler ! Notre équipe est dans la même situation que la plupart d'entre vous, confinés chez soi, apprenant une nouvelle manière de travailler... C'est le moment de les « challenger », de partager vos projets et de développer de nouvelles idées ensemble ! Envoyez-nous vos « challenge » par email et nous vous répondrons très rapidement. En outre, tout notre site internet est fonctionnel. Vous pouvez donc découvrir toutes nos gammes de voiles et services. Tout seul on va plus vite, ensemble on va plus loin ! C’est le moment d’agir tous ensemble pour combattre cette pandémie. Nous croyons en l'humain et sa résilience. Dans cette période éprouvante, faites attention à vous, à votre famille, à vos proches, et portez-vous bien. Votre team North Sails Suisse READ MORE

At North Sails, we are passionate about performance. For cruising sailors, this means a lot more than just speed. READ MORE

Cruising sailors demand durability. Yet, durability is not an easily quantified element of sail performance. Predicting durability is a tough challenge, because sails are subjected to so many different forms of use and conditions. READ MORE

UNLIMITED NEW ENGLAND RESOURCE Providing Our Expertise Since 1993 © Billy Black Since 1993, North Sails has had a core team of sailmakers and consultants who have helped New England sailors win numerous awards and regattas. Opened in February 1993, by Brad White and Jack Slattery, North Sails Salem was to service and provide sail expertise to the Mass Bay and extended area. The team of Jack and Brad, both graduates of Boston University, a powerhouse sailing team since the late 70's provided expert sail repair and new sail advice. Between them they boast All American status, a multitude of national, North American and World championships. Their diversified sailing experiences include One Design, Off shore and of course handicap race experience. Aside from working with local handicap racing fleets, Jack and Brad work on projects with Spirit of Tradition builds, and Mulithulls. Brad enjoys time cruising and racing his rebuilt Pearson 33-2 in local thirsty Thursday series. This past year, two new young additions were brought into the Salem loft. Alex Cook joined the Team from a competitor where he had worked in production and as manager of the service department. Alex is a graduate of Boston College where he was a NEISA 2nd Team nominee. He has won first place in his class in the Ted Hood Regatta, and races actively in Handicap and national team races, as a representative of the Eastern Yacht club. Stan Schreyer is another Boston University graduate, where he was also an All American, received the Intercollegiate Sportsman of the year award, and subsequently named coach of the year. Stan also lays claim as a champion of the Extreme Sailing Series. Currently he races actively on a foiling TF10 Trimaran, and works with a number of mulithull customers. He is also involved with the Atlantic Cup regatta which hosts One Design 40 class short handed racing along the Eastern seaboard. Stan is one of the leading coaches in the country for any type of racing.. Recently Jim Harrington was added to the staff as the expert for sail repair. Jim came to the Salem loft from the Rhode Island service and repair facility where he was instrumental in rebuilding sails for 12 meters, Farr 40's and even J boats such as Shamrock and Endeavour. His knowledge of new materials and best repair practices is unequaled. Working beside him is John Emmet who spent several years as mate on commercial vessels and more recently spent time as first mate on schooners, such as the Adventure out of Gloucester and The Harvey Gamage out of Maine. While Jim spends his off-time with his wife and two young boys, John finds time to race with Brad on the Pearson. In the next town over, Marblehead, is the lead design office for North Sails. Headed by JB Braun who's experience includes actively racing a Flying Dutchman in an Olympic bid, as well as being the lead designer in multiple America's Cup syndicates, the office is home to 4 full time designers. JB's intimate knowledge of air flow and design has led to numerous industry changing developments. His curiosity and tenacity led him to re-discover the benefits of Gaff battens and square top mainsails. Now a staple in many boat designs. In addition, he spearheaded the revolutionary development of North 3Di molded sail and thin ply technology. Other designers include Andrew Schneider, an All American crew from Boston College. He came from competitor where he was production manager, and ran the loft. At that loft he was lead on building sails for the largest sloop in the world. Another addition to the North Sails team in New England is Alan McKinnon. Alan is an avid PHRF sailor and has competed in numerous offshore races including the Bermuda Rce and Halifax. He is currently race committee chair for the Eastern Yacht club and has been a long time member of the New York Yacht club. In addition we have Brodt Taylor who has been training under JB and is quickly becoming one of the best designers in the North Sails Group. Brought up sailing 420s and other dinghies, Brodt studied mechanical engineering at the University of Vermont. His focus at North Sails is the further development of the 3Di tape structure for molded sails. Brodt enjoys sailing with customers in the Marblehead area. Our most recent hire is Glenn Cook, formerly the head designer with a competitor, his background includes Super Yacht sail design as well as sail development for Maxi 72's , TP 52s, and 12 meters. Glenn is a go to guy for new ideas and sail information. He and JB have been instrumental in the development of Helix luff structure for Code sails. READ MORE

EVENT SPOTLIGHT: CBYRA AWARDS Success For Local Customers The Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association has been around since 1914 in an effort to provide race organization and opportunities for racing all over the Chesapeake bay. Each year they provide overall awards for each class across four regions of the bay. This month we wanted to highlight our client achievements from 2019 in these official rankings. By working with North Sails we were able to provide the best sail solutions for clients to help them be ready for racing at their full potential, which also sets them up for success in the years to come. Our clients used many different products, which included NPC Crosscut in One design fleets, 3Di NORDAC in the cruiser/racer class, and 3Di ENDURANCE in the PHRF classes. No matter what boat, style of racing, or race courses, our clients were competing at their best potential, and we were able to find the perfect sail to fit each need. Congratulations to all on a successful year here in Maryland, and we look forward to your success in the coming season! If you have any questions about rig tuning, crew maneuvers, or finding the right sail to fit your needs, please don't hesitate to contact your local team of experts. READ MORE

QUALITY AND INNOVATION Customer Appreciation For North Sails Charleston To me, buying sails - and especially buying sails for an early hull number boat where there is bound to be lots of experimentation and trial and error - is as much about the people as it is about the brand. With North Sails I knew I would be getting the quality and innovation of the brand. After spending some time on the water with the people from the Charleston loft, it was clear they were committed to figuring out how to optimize my boat (rather than just selling me a sail). That's who I want to buy my sails from. With North Sails I knew I would be getting the quality and innovation of the brand. -Toby H. S&S 30 READ MORE

J/70 WORLD CHAMPIONS CLAIM VICTORY AT BACARDI INVITATIONAL Versatility of North Products in a Wide Range of Conditions Paul Ward, Ruairidh Scott, Ben Saxton, and Mario Trindade teamed up to win the 40-boat J/70 fleet at the 2020 Bacardi Cup Invitational, posting only one score deeper than seventh in the eight race series. “We used the F-1 main, J-6 jib, and the AP-1 spinnaker,” North Sails expert Ruairidh Scott explains, adding that they used the same sails for the windy Midwinters two weeks earlier. “We had anything from 6 knots and flat water to 25 knots and chop, so being able to mode the boat and sails for the conditions was very important.” Ruairidh says they spent the Midwinters shaking off the rust because the team hadn’t sailed at all since winning the Worlds last September. After some well-focused pre-event training to dial in upwind speed and consistent starting, “we were more comfortable at the Bacardi,” he says. The team plans to sail Charleston Race Week before focusing on the Europeans in Denmark. After that it’s out to the US West Coast to prepare for the 2020 J/70 Worlds hosted by California Yacht Club at the end of July. Congratulations to team Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat! North is a proud sponsor of the Bacardi Cup Invitational. 📸 Martina Orsini Will Graves, winner on the Viper 640 fleet. All top 10 Vipers used North Sails. 📸 Martina Orsini North Sails expert Eric Doyle and Payson Infelise sailing fast in Miami. 📸 Martina Orsini In the Melges 24 fleet, boats powered by North finished 2, 3, 4, 5*, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. 📸 Martina Orsini In the VX ONE fleet our clients finished 1*,3,4,5 📸 Martina Orsini READ MORE

ADVANCING THE SPORT OF SAILING Customer Appreciation for North Sails Charleston Photo Credit: Priscilla Parker I’ve been working with the team at North Sails Charleston for over five years. Besides providing latest technology, super fast racing sails for my 1D35, they rate “5 Stars” for service, support and knowledge. John and Ervin have sailed with me many times to help fine tune the rig, set up new sails, and advise on sail trim and boat handling. They are willing to work with us on new concepts, for instance a custom staysail. The net result of our partnership has been outstanding, winning the Offshore Challenge Series five years in a row. The North Team is an integral part of our campaign. Additionally, the North Team has been super supportive of the local sailing community, sponsoring the CORA Summer Series for many years, along with many educational events. Their support is greatly appreciated and has helped advance the sport of sailboat racing in Charleston. Andy Guhl, 1D35, Fogdog Photo Credit: Priscilla Parker READ MORE

STAYING IN RACING SHAPE Customer Appreciation for North Sails Charleston Photo Credit: Nancy Bloom The team at North Sails Charleston have helped us to maintain our sail inventory in racing shape. Rich Bowen developed a crossover spinnaker for point to point racing that filled the gap between a code zero and the one design VMG spinnaker and has really helped us with upwind rig tune and sail shape set up. John Bowden really helped us time the replacement/upgrade of our sails in an organized and cost-effective way. Ervin Grove custom designed a keel up and keel down boom cover which saves us time every time we use the boat. -John Lucas, Melges 32 READ MORE

A DIFFERENCE TO OUR PERFORMANCE Customer Appreciation For North Sails Charleston Photo Credit: Priscilla Parker As you know, we bought our J/105 in the fall of 2015. It came with those off-brand sails and one North Sails kite that had won at the Marblehead NOOD's. The off-brand sails looked ok, but after seeing our inventory in action, we were most impressed with our North Sails kite. After North made the decision to purchase Southwind sails, expand their presence in Charleston, and brought together y'alls current team, we became solid North Sails customers. Since then, we have bought jibs in 2017 & 2018, another kite in 2018, and just purchased the new main in 2019. I think the quality and durability of the North Sails are superb, and it has made a huge difference in our performance, evidenced by our class win in 2017 in CRW, and winning at least one of the two summer series in CORA, four years in a row. This past summer series two was probably out best with winning four out of the six races. I think the quality and durability of the North Sails are superb, and it has made a huge difference in our performance, evidenced by our class win in 2017 in CRW. As we all know, there are many parts of a winning team beginning with a good crew, well maintained boat, and quality sails. The North team has been a huge part of our success with their support of the sails they sell. Not only do you get onboard and make sure the sails fit and are trimmed correctly but also go the extra mile to help with tuning and rigging. Any time we have needed any assistance with anything at all, you and the rest of the North team have been willing to help. It is greatly appreciated and we are solid North Sails Charleston customers. Thanks Ervin and John! -Fred Martschink, J/105, RumFront Photo Credit: Priscilla Parker Photo Credit: Priscilla Parker READ MORE

BEYOND THE PRODUCT Customer Appreciation For North Sails Charleston Photo Credit: Priscilla Parker I was in the market for new sails for my Tartan 345, wanting a better sail than the standard Dacron. I decided on purchasing a new set of 3Di Nordac sails plus a Gennaker from North Sails Charleston. All the guys at North Sails Charleston have been a tremendous help and have great knowledge and experience. It is great to form a relationship locally with local guys selling a fantastic product. The 3Di sails are just fantastic, holding their shape in all conditions. -Scott Strother, Tartan 345, Sweet T Photo Credit: Priscilla Parker READ MORE

BAY OF ISLANDS SAILING WEEK 2020 It's not just about the racing 📸 Lissa Photography Bay of Islands Sailing Week may be the biggest regatta of its kind in country, but anyone who’s competed there know it’s not just about the racing. This year the regatta attracted the largest fleet in its 18-year history, but while there was plenty of action on the water, for many sailors just sailing the beautiful waters of the Bay is reward in itself. Just 37 boats competed in the first event, back in 2003, but numbers have swelled as the word spread about the regatta’s combination of close competition, champagne sailing conditions and social events. In 2020 there were more than 140 entries, ranging from sports boats (which also recorded a record fleet, of 14 boats) up to the big guns in the A division. Many boats competing in the regatta sported North Sails, including Elliott1350 Fiction, which had a new 3Di main and jib, and TP52 Mayhem, which won A division on line. In the B division, Ker 40 Icebreaker, sporting a new 3Di code zero with a Helix load-sharing luff, won on line and the South Pacific PHRF championships, while Shaw 7 Angry Dragon finished tied for line honours in the sports boat division with Bieker 650 Ghost Rider. The North Sails team were among those enjoying the perfect sea-breeze conditions, including sales and marketing manager Andrew Wills, whose "Bay week" story perhaps sums up the spirit of the regatta. Wills sailed aboard Swan 54 Coco with North Sails customers Alex and Jacqui Morcom, who had recently sailed the new boat from Finland to New Zealand. "They had bought the boat in Europe and got a crew to sail it to the Caribbean, where we got them set up with some new sails," Wills says. "Then they sailed it the rest of the way here themselves, through the Panama Canal into the Pacific, and arrived here in November." "They weren’t sure what to do next, so we suggested Bay of Islands Sailing Week, even though they had never done any racing — we reasoned that if they’d got the boat this far, they should be able to get it around a race course. And they did a great job." Coco finished third on line and sixth out of 20 boats on PHRF in the Island Racing B division, but for Wills the highlight was being able to share the regatta with his two sons, aged 6 and 8, who sailed with him on Coco. North Sails has been a sponsor of Bay of Islands Sailing Week since 2004, and general manager Richard Bicknell says the company is proud to continue to support the iconic event. "We’re also happy to provide on-site help for any of the boats during the event, out of our loft at Opua, led by Roger Hall," says Bicknell. "It’s amazing for us to see how the regatta has been growing every year - the organising team have done a great job over the years, and this year was no exception." READ MORE

A NEW BEGINNING WITH NORTH SAILS Refitting A Classic With New Technology Matthew Bitterman shares his journey to refitting his Hans Christian 38 MKII. We made it to Boston, sailing through Mexico then eventually deciding to ship the boat overland the rest of the way to get back to work. We've been testing your sail here in the freezing weather on occasion, so far so good. We seem to be one of the few nuts that still take their boat out in the winter. I have been enjoying learning more about the physics of sail trim and it is great to have the tools to see the difference now. Working with Pete McCormick and North Sails Sausalito was the highlight of our multi-year refit of our 80's era heavy-displacement Hans Christian cruising boat. This process gave a new meaning to the saying that 'nothing breathes life into an old boat than new sails'. The boat now sails 10° closer to the wind, heels significantly less, and we are able to sail in less than 10 knots of wind efficiently - all of which translated into an entirely different approach charting passages with more sailing, less motoring, and greater safety. Pete and the designers at North Sails worked tirelessly to maximize the flexibility of our more traditional cutter rigged sailplan (off a bowsprit), increasing all of the sail-area sizes by firstly nailing the max available dimensions of the track lengths and triangles where previous sailmakers had not, and employing tricks such as vertical battens in the staysail to maintain stiffness and shape, while reducing flogging and wear in the leech. The balance between the headsails and main through every reef point is masterful, not only for helm balance but also the little aesthetic notes such as seeing the head of the main under two reefs align perfectly with the head of the staysail; the eloquent marriage of form and function. Pete and the designers at North Sails worked tirelessly to maximize the flexibility of our more traditional cutter rigged sailplan. Another testament to the professionalism Pete and his team took throughout, was seen not only in nailing the delivery date to the minute, but when we destroyed the tack of our A-sail offshore I had two emails from their team delivered in the middle of the night with a plan of action to repair the sail at one of their global branches. I cannot recommend working with North Sails more highly. READ MORE

GROWING UP ON THE WATER Lorraine Bader Shares Her Story From sailing up North to locally on Lake Ontario, Lorraine Bader has a true passion for the sport. She shares her sailing story and advice for those just getting into it. How did you get involved in sailing? I had the very good fortune to grow up spending entire summers at a family cottage in the Kawarthas. I spent many happy days swimming and boating with my siblings; my father taught me how to drive a small outboard and go off on my own when I was about 9 years old. At about that same age, we had a very small wooden sailboat (we’re talking 8 feet long here) in which I learned the very basics of sailing. That was short lived when the mast toppled off the boat and was lost in a very deep part of the lake. About 10 years ago, when I became an “empty nester”, I visited the Toronto Boat Show and came upon Humber College’s Sailing Club booth. The College offered sailing lessons, and an opportunity to use their fleet to learn how to sail. I joined the Club and very quickly got hooked on learning the sport, plus I discovered that it was a great opportunity to make lots of sailing friends---many of whom I count as close friends today. Tell us about your first impression of the sailing world. First impressions: thrilling, scary, wet, fast-paced. It became obvious very early on that one had to be ready to “bite the bullet” and get involved in learning or you would forever be just a passenger. Because I learned in a “shared boat” environment, it was a great opportunity to learn all positions on a sailboat. What have been your biggest obstacles to overcome? To believe in myself and not get frustrated in listening to competing opinions on how to maneuver on the water. I have discovered over the years that there are many ways to arrive at the same destination!! What are your favourite things about sailing? What keeps you coming back for more? I love to be on the water. Since I learned how to sail, and then got involved in racing, I have had such great experiences with a lot of other sailors. Although my boat competes in white sail categories, I have learned so much about handling the boat and sail trim by racing in the LOSHRS lake races, Club racing, GHYRA week, and the Susan Hood. Actually won a few trophies as well! And then there’s cruising; what a perfect way to spend a weekend or vacation. Where would you like to see the sailing world in 3-5 years when it comes to women's involvement in the sport? There are a tremendous number of very accomplished female sailors out there. I find that they can be very encouraging to other women sailors as well. It would be great to see more women participants in the sport. What is your advice for women looking to get involved in the sailing? Get on the helm. Be in charge of the boat for a day. Learn how to dock. Once you’ve become more comfortable doing those things, the rest comes easy. And there’s nothing wrong with using as many fenders as you have on board to make it a safe landing! Learn about more women on the water in our local community. READ MORE

J/24 MIDWINTERS: A WELL DESERVED WIN Congratulations Tony Parker & Team Bangor Packet 2020 J/24 Midwinter Champions 📸 Chris Howell After 41 years in the class, Tony Parker on Bangor Packet finally won the J/24 Midwinters in Melbourne, FL—by one point. After eight races, only two points separated the top four teams, indicating unusually close racing among the top group including John Mollicone, Mike Ingham and 2019 World Champion Keith Whittemore. We caught up with Tony after the regatta to get his insights. You’ve been sailing J/24s for a few years. How have the class and boat evolved? To say “a few years…” is an understatement. My first major regatta was the 1979 Worlds. We sailed with 4 people, weighing in at most 600 pounds, with a reefable mainsail. The self-proclaimed “family cruiser” had the required cushions below. If only I had known then 25% of what I know now! What was your team’s strategy to pull off this win? We just tried to get off the line clean, look around about halfway up the first leg to see how we stood, and then started to play against the others up there. Our tactician, Zeke Horowitz, called a great regatta. He was very patient, probably more than I would have been. Because of that we never got too out of phase and when we lost distance, we would gain it back in the next shift. The top people were all very close. The fourth place boat averaged a 3rd for the regatta out of 33 boats. I haven’t seen such a tight top group in years – and all the top five boats at the Worlds were there, so the competition was really tight. The fun part was that this was the first major J/24 regatta I have ever won. I bet I have over a dozen 2nd places. I never thought it would take me until I was 74 to get there! Team Bangor Packet 📸 Chris Howell Tell us about everyone’s role on your boat. Each person has an assigned role. We are quite good about keeping the talking down and we are quite gentle when one of us screws up. I screw up more than anyone else but most of the time they don’t yell at me. Our second person back, Emmet Todd, was really helpful because he was very active calling puffs. So many who do that job just never stop talking and finally I start ignoring them. He was particularly adept at not “overtalking”. It really helped me anticipate puffs and lulls. We have a terrific team. Zeke Horowitz, our tactician, is as good as anyone in the world. He is patient, clear and never panics when it gets tight. We are very clear who has the “con”. Sometimes it is our spinnaker trimmer; sometimes it is me; most of the time it is Zeke. The transitions are very seamless. James Niblock, our jib and spinnaker trimmer, has been sailing with me for over a decade. He is as good as they get. We know each other so well that we almost don’t have to say anything to each other. He always anticipates what is needed in terms of trim, besides being a wonderful shipmate. Will Bomar, our bowman, does everything. He makes sure the boat is in perfect condition. I am a man of leisure before and after the race because I know he and James have the boat perfectly set up. We were lucky to have Emmett Todd, who usually sails with Finn Hadlock, act as our twing man, replacing my “go to” forever shipmate Ross Dierdorff. We all miss Ross, but Emett did a first class job and I will always be on the lookout for him if Finn can’t make a regatta. They are really good. 📸 Chris Howell You sailed some races in the Genoa and some races in the Blade jib. How did you decide on which sail you used? That ultimately was very simple: we looked at our competitors. If all of my major competitors were sailing with a particular sail, we just followed suit. The price for being wrong is too high! A few of your team members had flown straight from sailing J/24s in Argentina. Can you tell us about the 2021 Worlds venue? It was very different. They sailed with 4 people at that regatta and the venue is too narrow to be able to sail to a layline, so there was much more tacking. The breeze is quite consistent but the shifts are not. The hosts were very welcoming and will put on a fun Worlds next year. Job well done! 📸 Chris Howell READ MORE

NORTH SAILS OPTIMIZA SU GAMA 3Di El equipo de diseñadores North Sails ha revisado cada producto del dosier de velas 3Di y aplicado lo aprendido en circuitos de competición como las 52 Super Series 📸 Raphael Demaret Como resultado, la gama North Sails 2020 ofrece una nueva generación de velas 3Di, más ligeras y con mejor conservación de la forma que nunca, pero con la durabilidad de siempre. Desde su incorporación al mercado en 2010, la gama North Sails 3Di no ha dejado de evolucionar para ir incorporándose a segmentos cada vez más amplios del mercado, y hoy abarca desde la vela oceánica de competición a la vela de crucero. De cara a 2020, los ingenieros de estructuras de North Sails recibieron el desafío de analizar cada pliegue, cada material y cada diseño de cada producto de su gama de velas para explorar su margen de mejora. Para ello se unieron recursos de ingeniería, diseño y materiales, replanteándose cada solución aplicada y probando nuevas ideas. "En North Sails estamos constantemente realizando cambios, ajustes y actualizaciones para mejorar nuestros productos, lo que suele suponer añadir algo, pero para 2020 decidimos afrontar un completo proceso de reingeniería con el objetivo de reducir el peso de todas nuestras velas, en todos los segmentos y en todos los materiales", explica Ken Read, director general de North Sails. En lugar de añadir, ahora tocaba reducir. Para afrontar el reto, los ingenieros recurrieron a los datos recopilados en el campo de regatas de circuitos profesionales como las 52 Super Series. La implicación de diseñadores North Sails con los equipos y su participación a bordo de los barcos de regatas permite a la firma disponer de una valiosa información sobre el comportamiento de los materiales, un complemento perfecto para el North Design Suite, la herramienta exclusiva de North Sails que permite simular todo tipo de situaciones sin salir de la sala de diseño. Como resultado, la gama 2020 ofrece velas más ligeras y con mejor conservación de la forma sin perder la imbatible durabilidad asociada al término 3Di. El argumento comercial explica los cambios de manera sencilla: Las velas North Sails 3Di no son ni pesos ligeros ni pesos pesados, tienen el peso correcto, son rightweight. Conseguir esa optimización del peso fue un proyecto en 2019 y hoy forma parte del proceso de diseño de todas las velas North Sails. En particular, las 3Di DOWNWIND ejercieron como incubadora de ideas para optimizar estructuras y diseños. Por su parte, las 3Di NORDAC ejercieron de plataforma para evolucionar el excelente ratio de mantenimiento de la forma en velas de poliéster relativamente pesadas (un campo que no había avanzado demasiado desde la creación del RADIAN en 2008) y conseguir una vela de crucero de excelentes prestaciones. North Sails ha demostrado que los filamentos de poliéster pueden ser un excelente componente cuando se combinan con materiales de alto módulo. Esta reinterpretación de una fibra ya conocida consigue que la última generación de velas 3Di para barcos de pequeña eslora sea claramente superior. Puntos de mejora La aplicación de esta nueva filosofía rightweight afecta de manera diferente a cada miembro de la familia North Sails 3Di. En términos generales, se ha reducido el peso de las velas al eliminar capas de cinta redundantes, diseñar puños más pequeños, optimizar la densidad del material y redistribuir su posición. Las 3Di DOWNWIND (en sus versiones 800, 700, 600 y 300) han sido aligeradas en nada menos que un 24% respecto a la gama 2019 y hasta un 40% si lo comparamos con la primera generación de 2018. También resulta significativa la reducción de cantidad de fibra necesaria para la fabricación de las velas en las gamas 3Di ENDURANCE, 3Di OCEAN y 3Di NORDAC, que en función del modelo oscila entre un dos y un seis por ciento. Esta optimización del peso de las velas no afecta a los extraordinarios ratios de estabilidad, rendimiento y durabilidad exclusivos de la gama North Sails 3Di. READ MORE

CONSEJO NORTH SAILS Hoy hablamos de las diferencias entre velas de crucero y de competición por eslora. Comencemos definiendo los barcos por tres rangos de eslora: pequeño (por debajo de 35 pies), medio (35 a 45 pies) y grande (más de 45 pies). En barcos por debajo de 35 pies, las velas suelen estar fabricadas de laminados ligeros, incorporan Mylar o similar y fibras de Spectra o aramida (en ocasiones también 3Di). En ciertas clases encontramos Pentex (un tipo de poliéster) y en otras, Dacron. Las velas de crucero para barcos pequeños y medios son habitualmente de Dacron, en configuración cross-cut o radial. Las velas de Dacron orientadas a la urdimbre, como los tejidos RADIAN de North Sails, son ligeramente más caras pero ofrecen prestaciones considerablemente mejores que los paneles de corte horizontal. Pero en el entorno de los 40 pies (y definitivamente en los 50) el Dacron ya no constituye una opción racional para barcos de crucero. Debido a las cargas que soporta, el material ya no es capaz de conservar su forma durante mucho tiempo y es pesado. Para esas esloras, lo más aconsejable son las velas de laminados ligeros, las 3Di ENDURANCE y las 3Di OCEAN. Para barcos de eslora media destinados a crucero y regata lo recomendable son laminados ligeros o 3Di ENDURANCE, que añade una capa extra de material para incrementar su durabilidad. Para barcos de competición en esloras medias y grandes, la duda está entre velas laminadas o algo más avanzado como una 3Di RAW. READ MORE

CALENDARIO MARZO El calendario de sesiones impartidas por los expertos de North Sails España continúa en marzo. El próximo día 20, Luis y Jorge Martínez Doreste estarán en el Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo (Pontevedra) para ofrecer una interesante Master Class sobre el proceso de diseño de una vela y su análisis posterior una vez instalada en el barco. El día 26, Ángel Medina dirigirá un clinic sobre puesta a punto de velas y aparejo en el Real Club Mediterráneo para patrones y armadores participantes en la Málaga Sailing Cup. Contacta con nosotros aquí para conocer el calendario completo de eventos 2020 de North Sails España. READ MORE

SERVICIO EN REGATA PARA SUPERYATES Las velerías itinerantes de North Sails regresan a las principales regatas de superyates en 2020. 📸 Carlo Borlenghi El Servicio Certificado North Sails estará disponible en diez eventos del circuito entre marzo y octubre, ofreciendo a los equipos la tranquilidad de dejar sus velas en manos de los mejores profesionales para reparación al término de la jornada de competición con la garantía de que estén listas al día siguiente. El listado completo de eventos en los que estará disponible el servicio de velerías itinerantes North Sails puede revisarse en este enlace. READ MORE

SEGUIMOS CON LAS 52 SUPER SERIES North Sails renueva acuerdo de colaboración con las 52 Super Series como Official Technical Partner por tercer año consecutivo. 📸 Nico Martínez / Rolex El circuito 2020 cuenta con 12 equipos de ocho nacionalidades que competirán en seis eventos en tres países entre marzo y septiembre, incluyendo por primera vez Sudáfrica. "El ritmo de esta clase es incesante", explica Mickey Ickert, especialista de diseño de velas de TP52 en North Sails. "Cada año exigen más y los márgenes entre los barcos son más pequeños, por lo que tenemos que buscar cualquier mínima mejora. Trabajamos muy de cerca con nuestros clientes en la flota para conseguir ese matiz para mejorar la velocidad. Cada uno de esos equipos cuenta con un diseñador North Sails específico para optimizar su inventario y recopilar información que nos ayuda a seguir mejorando". En opinión de Agustín Zulueta, director de las 52 Super Series: "En nuestra condición de clase de altas prestaciones, buscamos ampliar los límites de lo que es posible en nuestro deporte, y en North Sails tenemos un socio cuya misión está alineada de manera natural con la nuestra". READ MORE

IDEC SPORT BATE EL RÉCORD DE LA RUTA DEL TÉ El maxitrimarán IDEC Sport de Francis Joyon ha vuelto a hacer historia estableciendo un nuevo récord en la conocida como Ruta del Té, entre Hong Kong y Londres. 📸 Jean-Marie Liot La tripulación francesa completó el recorrido de 15.873 millas náuticas en 32 días, 7 horas, 37 minutos y 33 segundos a una impresionante velocidad media de 20,7 nudos, mejorando la anterior marca en cuatro días. IDEC Sport equipó velas North Sails 3Di. Junto al patrón francés navegaron su hijo Corentin Joyon, Bertrand Delesne, Christophe Houdet y Antoine Blouet. ¡Enhorabuena, IDEC Sport, y gracias por seguir confiando en North Sails! READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AT NORTH SAILS Introducing Sunny Main: 3Di Lead In celebration of International Women’s Day, we are pleased to introduce Sunny Main, who oversees the tape floor as 3Di Lead. Main retired from being a stay at home mom and joined the workforce in Minden, NV sixteen years ago, after moving to America from her native South Korea. Main works in Building Two, where she manages the tape head machines as 3Di Lead. She is in charge of all seven tape machines, loading each with the correct sail design file and enough material before the automated process begins laying down the sail structure.” I manage the priority list for the department, and get the required materials for each project loaded on the tape head machines.” “We usually have all the machines operating at the same time,” she explains. “I assign each of my crew a job, and make sure they have the right tapes to complete the task.” Keeping her team aligned with safety procedures is always at the top of her list. “This is a manufacturing facility, and the machinery is big. It’s important to know what you are doing to avoid accidents.” “Everyone in Tape Heads knows that Sunny demands the best quality. She is the “mom” of the department and you don’t let your mom down! She’s never sick and always has a sunny smile on her face.”- Per Andersson, 3D General Manager 3Di tapes are stored in industrial-sized refrigerators until a project calls for loading them onto the tape heads. Once removed from the fridge, the countdown begins for Main to get the sail structure laid down and consolidated on the 3D mold before the resin begins to cure naturally. “Building a sail structure can take as little as one shift to complete, depending on the size of the sail,” Main explains. Sometimes we can make a complete sail in a single shift, but often we require multiple shifts for larger projects.” After the tape machines create the sail structure, it’s inspected on both sides, and then rolled up onto a tube and placed in a bag for transport to the 3D mold in Building One. Once placed on the mold, the infrared lamp applies heat to the sail. The consolidated composite is then the sail is ready to sit for 7-10 days on the curing floor. After curing, sails move onto finishing, where hardware, decals, and patches are added. Each department has a deadline, all based on the final shipping date. “What we keep in mind,” says Main, “is that the pregger supplies tape heads, tape heads supply the mold, and the mold supplies the finishing floor. We all have a deadline so that the finishing floor can ship it to the customer by the date requested.” Main enjoys her role as 3Di Lead because each project is different. “There is always something new with custom sail orders,” she says. “I take pride in my job and expect the final product to be perfect. I can be tough, but it’s my job to ensure things are done efficiently and correctly.” The hardest part of Main’s job is training new people. “Although the job looks easy, it has its challenges,” she explains. It’s essential to be 100% accurate, and there are a lot of details involved, especially when it comes to custom orders, which is the majority of what we make here in Minden.” “Our sail designers are talented. We make our own product. We make our own tapes. Why are our sails the fastest? Because our product is made well.” One of the unique parts of working in a large manufacturing facility like Minden is that Main gets to meet all different kinds of people. “We host engineering students that come from France, Germany, and Sri Lanka. They not only learn what we do here, but they are learning about our culture, and we learn about them too.” Even long-term like Main have someone they remember as guiding their career path. “Peter Jahreis , Pregger and Tape Head Line Manager, is my mentor because he’s a great listener. He won’t hesitate to work along with my team if we need an extra hand. He is also great at problem-solving.” Making high-performance 3D sails in the middle of the desert is a highlight of her career, she says. “Leading a talented and hardworking crew and having the opportunity to recognize or get recognized every quarter for hard work is a great incentive.” Sunny also likes to be involved in company functions and events, and they have plenty of those in Minden that make their employees feel appreciated for their hard work. “It’s a great way to say thanks,” she says. READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AT NORTH SAILS Introducing Patricia Rios: Vacuum Consolidation Lead In celebration of International Women’s Day, we examined the inner workings of the North Sails 3Di manufacturing facility in Minden, NV. Patricia (“Patty”) Rios is the Vacuum Consolidation Lead and a leader and role model in her department, enjoying every aspect of North’s unique sailmaking process. October marks Rios’s 12th year with North Sails. Before beginning her tenure with the company, she was a stay-at-home mom taking care of her young son. Her siblings worked at the North Sails and told her about a job opening, and she thought she would apply. Patricia (“Patty”) joined North Sails when 3DL was at the forefront, first drawn in by curiosity about sailmaking—and building them in the desert. Now that manufacturing has progressed to 3Di; she oversees a team of five who preps and produces vacuum bags to lock in sail shape. Rios explains, “The films department produces two vacuum bags that encase the sail while it is on the mold. Like building a carbon boat, heat and vacuum pressure are used to consolidate the filaments and resin. The bags and the sail membrane sit on the mold in the flying shape intended by the sail designer. It’s a fast operation to prepare the sails for consolidation. Even minor hiccups have a ripple effect, and any hold-up affects the most important part—shipping to the client. Rios’s worklist is based on the daily molding schedule. “There is only one shift for my department, so when I number the pieces, the team needs to follow the order. From my team, I assign each of my team members the role of creating the vacuum bag and securing it onto the mold (seen below). Before the sails are ready to be cooked, I double-check that the bags are airtight and empty of air, so the chemical reaction kick-off heat is applied.” The sails then spend at least seven days on the curing floor before they are finished and shipped off. Patty prepping the vacuum seal for consolidation of 3Di. Rios says that the films department would not be everyone’s number one choice and that’s because it is the fastest moving department. But she embraces each challenge and takes pride in the importance of thinking ahead and doing her job right the first time. “My team is fast and efficient because quality is important to us. We don’t make mistakes, and that’s because we stick to a strict procedure.” Although I am the lead, my team is working towards a common goal. If they need me, they know they can ask for help. It’s 100% a team effort. This job is more than a one-person job, so we have to communicate well.” When Patty Rios arrives to work each day, she discusses the day before with her team before moving on to the next project. She likes the flexibility of her job, and she appreciates the confidence her supervisor, Jessie Barnes, places in her. “Jessie knows that I am good at my job, and she trusts me to get it right. I like that I’m given that initiative. It helped me build confidence as a leader in my department, and that helps my team feel confident about their individual roles.” “Patty is a long term employee. She’s a quiet hero that keeps her films team tight and efficient.” – Per Andersson, 3D General Manager Before coming to work at North Sails, Rios did not have any sewing or sailmaking experience. Over the years, she’s gained more understanding of the process and how she can streamline her techniques to keep the workflow efficient. Although the sailmaking process has evolved from 3DL string laminates to 3Di, she still took some of her early skills back to motherhood. “I can make my son’s Halloween costumes now, which is really cool. Although our manufacturing process has changed, my new-found sewing skills have come in handy!” Rios enjoys learning other areas of the manufacturing process too. “My supervisor Jessie Barnes has taught me a lot, for which I will be forever grateful. She is unbelievably patient, and I’ve learned from her how to become a better leader in my department.” READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AT NORTH SAILS Introducing Sheila Van Deusen & Melissa Woods: North Sails Human Resources Administration In celebration of International Women’s Day, we introduce two women who make our company great. Both Melissa and Sheila focus on employee relations. Through their passion for each individual who is part of our global network, they play an intricate role in retainment and quality of life for North Sails employees. The HR department also provides essential regulatory compliance and fosters relationships with North Sails employees worldwide. Sheila Van Deusen came to North Sails after a 28-year tenure in the casino industry. “I didn’t know much about the business or manufacturing. And working in sailmaking was something new, so I thought I’d give it a try.” Though HR is similar across a variety of companies, Sheila loves it because there is never a set routine. “There’s always diverse responsibilities, and that is exciting. I like working with people, so this job suits me perfectly.” She also appreciates that the sailmaking industry is evolving. “The industry is continuously changing, which keeps people engaged and stimulated whether they have been here for twenty years or two months.” Sheila believes it’s essential to work as a team, and transparent communication is vital. “One of my main goals is to support the employees and allow them to feel comfortable coming to me if they need help. Our employees need to establish long-term steady income and benefits so they can provide for their families. Both the employee and company benefit from the long term relationship. For newer employees, it’s our responsibility to get them to feel a connection to the company and our values.” “Sheila dove into her HR position in a hurry and knew all the 110 employees by name within one week. If you ever feel stressed, step into Sheila’s office, and her calm demeanor will put you at ease within five minutes.”- Per Andersson, 3D General Manager Sheila commented, “I’m thankful I had the opportunity to take on this role with North Sails,” Sheila adds. “My position helps create the vision and flow for the company, establishing core values, and helping employees understand just how important they are to the business as a whole.” “My skills, experience, and background have brought a different perspective of how Human Resources can operate in Minden, NV. I feel I have the liberty to create a path into areas where I’d like to be more involved. The people that work here are amazing, and I feel fortunate to be a part of this group. Melissa Woods is Human Resources Assistant and is approaching her five-year mark with North Sails. She enjoys working for North Sails due to the integrity and professionalism of the workplace. North Sails promotes an open and positive work environment, which in turn nurtures honest, dependable employees. Melissa handles all of the new hires, employee records, recognition, and offers her support with administrative time to time. “Melissa makes sure Minden guests are properly greeted, have the best accommodations, and are taken care of in high order. She’s a great addition to the North Sails team because she’s always happy to help whenever needed, and she always does it with a smile!”- Per Andersson, 3D General Manager “Working with Sheila has been great. She’s pushed me to become a better communicator and has also helped me to expand my viewpoints,” Melissa says. “She’s taught me different ways to approach our work and complements our team in many ways. I respect and admire how she can handle difficult situations with ease and composure. I look forward to learning more from her.” Melissa signed on first as a temporary employee in September of 2015 and quickly established herself as a trustworthy and capable co-worker. She says North Sails provides a positive work culture, “and through training, we try to set up our employees for success right when they first get their foot in the door. We are always looking for ways to keep our employees and temps involved, motivated, and excited to be here.” Recognition awards, Christmas parties, and company picnics all make a significant impact, she adds. Melissa enjoys working for the company and says, “the best thing about where I work is the people I get to work with here. We have a great team here in Minden. We spend a lot of time collaborating ideas, finding ways to make them happen. I am honored to be a part of a company that takes pride in their product and always looks for ways to stay ahead in an ever-changing industry.” “A company like North Sails continues to evolve and innovate its product. That’s why we get the best at all levels. The amount of care that our team puts into what they produce can’t be beaten.” READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AT NORTH SAILS Introducing Jessie Barnes, Building One Supervisor In celebration of International Women’s Day, North Sails is proud to introduce Jessie Barnes. Barnes stands out in the Minden manufacturing facility for her passion for creating something unique not found anywhere else in the world, and role as a leader. Jessie Barnes joined the Minden, NV team right out of high school. She heard about a job as North Sails films operator through friends and relatives and was intrigued about the idea of building sails in the desert, so she decided to give it a shot. Nineteen years later, she’s at the epicenter of Building One, where 3Di sails are molded and shipped out across the world. As the Building One Supervisor, Barnes is responsible for keeping three shifts on schedule and meeting shipping dates. Barnes’s role has evolved throughout the years, because of innovations that moved production from 3DL to 3Di. She gets to be involved in all parts of production but works closest with the gantry and molding team. Each day is different, and even when working through the occasional production or employee challenge, she never hesitates to lend her employees an extra hand. “Jessie runs a tight ship with the least amount of employee turnover of any department. We are trying to find out her management secret.” – Per Andersson, 3D General Manager, Minden, NV “The Minden facility is great for long term employees because their knowledge and experience is essential to our process,” Jessie adds. “New employees have tons of opportunity for growth. In Minden, women fill many leadership roles and positions. I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many great people across the world in my time here.” In her role, Barnes manages 25 people over three shifts and the daily production schedule, finalized each Thursday. When Jessie arrives at work, she oversees an in-depth debrief with the graveyard shift before rolling into a morning brief with the new shift. At this time, she reviews company-related briefings on safety or other topics, as well as a prioritized list of the Building One tasks to complete that day. Making the molding to shipping process seamless is Barnes’s goal, and her prioritizing and skills in efficiency play a considerable role in the operations in Building One. She often is tasked with temporarily reassigning operators to other departments and helps avoid back up during the steps of production. “Meeting production deadlines and throughput requirements is tough, but we make it work,” she says. “Communication must be 110% because it’s a ripple effect when something is missed—it’s not just one shift affected, it’s all three, which could be many, many sails.” Minden is responsible for molding some of the largest and highest performance sails in the world. Sometimes the sails are too large to move by hand and must be transported by a crane with 10,000 lbs load capacity. “When a sail comes off the mold and has all the hardware added, they are just massive.” “North Sails is proof that a company’s greatest asset is the people it keeps.” Jessie’s team is diverse, and she says everyone brings their own set of skills to the table. “I feel that each team member is focused on building quality sails, and they enjoy working together.” Juggling individual personalities is the hardest, but also the best part of her job. “Communication is key. Everyone needs a clear understanding, so we can all collaborate and work together effectively.” “I get to work with so many people throughout three shifts each day;” she says, “And we are all working towards one common goal –to build the best sails in the world.” Jessie has plenty of great memories from her history with North Sails. One that sticks out the most is the implementation of 3D production in Sri Lanka. “Training and working alongside that team and having the opportunity to experience an entirely different culture and workplace is something I will never forget. The Sri Lanka team came to Minden first, and then I got to go there a few years later—an awesome experience.” “North Sails technology has come so far from the older technology we use to build,” she says. “Our company is all about continuously improving to advance and stay competitive. Each day we are working to improve our sail building processes, testing the highest quality materials with the latest technology to ensure we provide our clients with the most premier product on the market.” “I took this job because the company is unique, and the work is true craftsmanship. To me, the coolest part of this job is that we build incredible sails in a very small city here in the desert, and we can ship them all over the world.” READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AT NORTH SAILS Introducing Diana Sears: Utility Operator & Quality Control In celebration of International Women’s Day, we introduce Diana Sears, Quality Control Utility Operator who spreads her knowledge of the 3D sail making process across all areas of the manufacturing facility. What drew Diana Sears to working for North Sails? “Someone told me they were building sails out here. I said, ‘in the middle of the desert?!'” She’s been in Minden for 13 years, and has worked in various departments during her tenure. Diana’s North Sails career began in Films during the 3DL days. Within a year, she moved over to the gantry team; the group responsible for flying over a sail to ensure it is smooth when draped on the mold. As 3Di came online, Diana shifted her role to work with the pregger, the machine that spreads the thin-ply-filaments needed to make 3Di tapes. 📸 Amory Ross Her in-depth knowledge of the manufacturing process eventually landed her in the Quality Control department, where she is oversees the details of an entire project. Diana’s strength is her experience and versatility. In addition to QC, she is also a senior level Utility, meaning she can provide assistance throughout the entire manufacturing facility. As a Utility operator, Diana had to adapt to the changes of the sailmaking process. “I have experience in many different areas of the facility, I can be sent anywhere to help out as needed. If someone calls last minute for extra hands, they know I can step in to help get the job done. Mastering the many different manufacturing operations is one thing,” but Diana says the hardest part is our attention to detail.” Having a complete understanding of the 3Di manufacturing process plays a big role in Diana’s Quality Control responsibilities. As part of the QC team, Diana oversees the details of an entire project, starting with making sure the proper tapes are selected for the designated sail order. “Each configuration of 3Di it’s own recipe. From the beginning, things have to be accurate, and I make sure each detail is correct. For example, the pregger Department weighs every roll of material (tape) to ensure each meets the targets for consistency and accuracy. If weights, that will red flag the roll before we move into the next phase.” “I feel like we are part of something way bigger than what we have here, and Minden is pretty big.” Diana also rides the gantry, providing her with a bird’s eye view of the mold. The gantry is used to apply heat to kick start the curing process and once set, Diana has the ability to fly over the mold before the infra-red lamps heat up to ensure the sail is draped smoothly and then again after consolidation to inspect the sail membrane. Diana focuses on the details of each step to assure quality and consistency. “My job is so different each day because I get to do many things, and that makes it exciting. It’s the best of everything, and I really like that!” Today, she might work with the pregger team for most of the morning, then takes her expertise to 3D in the afternoon. “Diana is an expert in every 3D department. Pregger, tape heads and molding. She’s the mother of two beautiful daughters, and is an exemplary employee.” – Per Andersson, 3D General Manager “I like working in different departments. The constant changing environment keeps it exciting and new. Each day is different than the day before, and it’s fun to be part of every aspect and see the entire process through to the finish line.” During her time with the Minden team, Diana has twice experienced sailing firsthand. “They took us up to Lake Tahoe to go sailing on a catamaran. Seeing the America’s Cup races in person up in San Francisco was by far the biggest highlight for me.” “There are many lofts around the world and it’s important to keep in mind how large our company really is. I feel like we are part of something way bigger than what we have here, and Minden is pretty big. This facility and management is very accommodating to employees; that’s just one of the many positives you have working at a place like North Sails. “I feel like we are part of something way bigger than what we have here, and Minden is pretty big.” READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AT NORTH SAILS Introducing Kim Deputy: File Processing In celebration of International Women’s Day, we dove into the brains behind the molding software to see what the role of file processing entails. We are proud to introduce Kimberley Deputy, who brings the sails from designs on the computer to life for North Sails customers. Deputy is a File Processor at North Sails in Minden, NV, and March 31st marks her 17th year with North Sails. Throughout Deputy’s tenure with the company, her role has evolved along with the technology, and she now plays a major part in the production of 3Di sails worldwide. In her role as File Processor, Deputy receives incoming sail design files and prepares them for 3Di build process. She works closely with the North design team to address any issues before the design is processed and built, utilizing proprietary software that produces sail production packages. Deputy is responsible for any adjustments made before the design files are finalized, and the sail enters production. Image on the left is a headsail file that comes in from the designer. Image in the middle shows where the joiners are placed on each section of the headsail. Image on far right shows what the headsail looks like when placed on the mold. Before Deputy’s role focused on file processing, she gained experience by working in other areas of the facility, which helped her develop an understanding of the entire 3Di production process. “I found sailmaking to be a unique process, and I was interested in learning more. I wanted to gain more experience, so I inquired about the file processing position; I am very pleased to be given that opportunity.” Kim gives thanks to 3D General Manager Per Andersson, for his guidance. “He’s not only helped me to learn more; he’s given me opportunities to grow within the company. “Production Manager Brian Loshbough has also been a great supporter and facilitated my transition into file processing, which has been the highlight of my time here.” Kim’s typical day consists of receiving sail designs and prepping their various file types for production. She does this using our North Design Suite™ (NDS) and a program called WARPS™. To begin, Kim applies a designer defined sail shape to a virtual mold (one of the large, wing-like structures used in the manufacturing process) in NDS, making sure everything is fair and fits appropriately. Next, she takes that same sail shape and runs it through Warps, telling it which product and associated options to apply: Tier (760, 780, 870, etc.), Exterior, (RAW vs. Endurance), DPI (amount of tape), Furl Style (different patch shapes). Using these inputs, Warps then associates the sail shape with its new tape “layout.” Kim tests the clew section on the headsail design file to make sure it conforms with the mold. Each file is then placed into the nesting program, which then outputs the tape information and puts the design layout into the language the mold can understand. This layout defines the types of tape applied and the precise location and orientation. Taping machines, or “Tape Heads,” can read the files produced, and then use them to lay the actual tapes on the floor. Once taped, they are then laid onto the physical molds by the films team that corresponds to the mold file that Kim set up previously, then vacuumed sealed and consolidated using the IR heat lamp. Kim translates sail design data into software language the 3D molds can understand. She inspects every detail of the design and how it’s applied to the mold. “It’s important to test things out before they make it to the mold to make sure the mold can create the file as the designer has requested.” “Kim is a design expert in her own right. She can weed out what would likely have been a serious mistake before it hits production. – Per Andersson, 3D General Manager Sometimes file processing can be tricky, requiring rework or redesign when the original design does not relate to the mold correctly. “It’s not always easy for the sail designers either, but it’s my job to explain what needs to change to them, so the sail designer can adjust the design to make it work with our programs and our molds; making sure things run smoothly is how we avoid issues later on.” The picture shows the file from our processing software. That highlighted green area is showing the gantry’s motor movements. The arrows on it represent the direction of what side the IR lamp will start from and how many passes each file has. 📸 Amory Ross Overall her job can be complicated, she says. “The hardest thing is training someone new on how to shape the sail on the molds.” While Kim says it’s frustrating at times, she understands these details are an essential part of her job. “The ability to do a job correctly will set an employee up for success and growth within the company.” Because Kim is involved in the pre-molding stages, watching it all come together on the production floor gives her the most satisfaction. “Sometimes, I get the chance to help drape the sails on the molds. That makes me feel like I am part of the process from start to finish.” Although Kim’s on-the-water sailing experience is limited, she does have a good idea of what it’s like. One of her favorite memories was when Minden employees had the opportunity to travel to San Francisco to watch the America’s Cup World Series in October of 2012. Kim was also sent to Sri Lanka in 2018 to help align the 3D teams with up to date software. “How the sails are built is very special, and I enjoy all aspects of working here.” What makes the Minden manufacturing facility a great one? “Our sails are a lot stronger and last longer than basic sail technology,” says Kim. “The materials we use improve the overall product; that’s what makes 3Di so special. We take pride in what we build, and that is because we want to provide our clients with the best options in sail technology.” READ MORE

NORTH COACHING AT THE J-CUP Expert Analysis with Winning in Mind North Sails' local experts will be on-hand to provide free expert analysis and coaching to all participants at the J-Cup, July 2-4 2020. Crews in any J-Boat will be able to take advantage of North’s coaching on Thursday and Friday. Those who register for the complimentary coaching will receive analysis on boat handling and sail trim during racing. Crews can then follow this up with the coaches ashore or during the evening debriefs at the RORC where on the water drone footage from that day will be shown. READ MORE

DN ICEBOATING: INNOVATING FOR SPEED What does it take to go even faster than last season? For Chad Atkins and Oliver Moore, winter means fast apparent wind sailing on their DN iceboats—whenever they can find ice and wind within driving distance of Rhode Island. We recently spoke with them to learn more about a recent speed jump made by North Sails clients. Chad finished third at the 2020 DN North Americans, his first time ever in the top five—and he was just “one bad leeward mark rounding” shy of winning the whole thing. (Tuning partner James “T” Thieler won the regatta.) Oliver, who owns the Moore Brothers Company and builds iceboat masts, says it’s Chad’s tuning that makes him so fast. Chad, who worked with Mike Marshall to develop the North Sails DN inventory, says it’s those composite masts—and the sails designed to match them—that made his speed jump possible. But both agree that the most significant speed gains are made long before the regatta starts, which is why iceboaters spend so much time developing and dialing in equipment to suit style, body size, and personal preference. “Most of this stuff is happening before we hit the ice,” Chad says. “Static deflection, bend testing, the development of the mast and the sails and the plank… that’s 75-80% of the speed right there.” Oliver enjoys that part of the challenge; “It’s the most technical boat I’ve ever sailed, from a setup standpoint.” And he says Chad was the guy who got him into iceboating. “He helped set me up and got me close enough to right that I could be in the conversation. Then you can say, okay, ‘this is the effect I’m trying to achieve.’” Mast pop Mast bend characteristics are absolutely critical, and the goal is the same as soft-water sailing: to get powered up as low in the wind range as possible. The ideal look, though, is radically different; the mast is tuned to make it “pop” to leeward. That exerts downward pressure on the iceboat runners, acting (as Oliver puts it) “like a spoiler on a race car,” which makes it possible to push harder without losing control. “When the breeze builds, the first to get the mast to pop wins,” Oliver says. “So at that point you want a super-soft mast. But as the breeze keeps building, you’re trying to restrain that overbend, because you’re losing power. The way you control that is all in rig geometry: adjusting your shrouds or forestay, and moving your mast.” Once you’re in the ballpark, he says, the entire range is only a couple of turns on the shrouds. The fuselage (hull) on a DN can vary quite a bit in size and height, but both the length and stiffness of the plank (which runs athwartship and holds the shrouds) are critical. “People are measuring to make sure that when you stand on your plank, it’s bending to the exact millimeter that you think is correct,” Oliver explains. Sails are built to match each mast and plank’s combined bend characteristics, also factoring in other variables like wind strength, ice conditions, and sailor size. “Some people have four or five different sails—I’ve got two.” Tuning up before Racing Though the goal is to be in the ballpark speed-wise before showing up to sail, everyone fine-tunes rig tension and mast rake before each race. The mast step can move backward and forward on the fuselage up to six inches, Chad explains. “The farther forward it goes, that’s going to be a narrower triangle , so it’ll bend sooner. The farther back it is, it’ll be a little stiffer.” Though that sounds quite straightforward, Oliver points out that there are other considerations as well. “The farther back you have the rig, the less pressure there’ll be on the front runner. Which can be fast, but you don’t have as much control.” With so many variables, it’s hard to compare one boat’s tuning to another. “It’s very easy to get completely confused about what’s doing what,” Oliver says, “so I try and simplify as much as I can. If you want more mast bend, ease the shrouds. If you want less, shorten your shrouds.” Chad says that when he’s going the best, the boat “has some fight to it. I have to work pretty hard to get off the line, get the plank squatting and the mast bending, all the things that need to happen before you can really get going fast.” If the rig tension is too soft, he says, it affects height. “You might have the same speed, but guys are going to be pointing higher. It’s a pretty noticeable difference.” If the rig’s too stiff, “people are going to be laying down and their leeches start twisting off and they’re just—gone.” Once the boat is set up the way he wants, Chad gauges mast bend off the forestay, “to know whether to press more (shoulders back on seatback) and keep the boat lit, or ease sheet some and try to get some height upwind—or soak downwind with pressure and angle.” Between races, sailors often swap out runners or sails to better match the conditions—which can change significantly throughout the day, as rising or falling temperatures affect the ice. “You bring all your stuff out,” Oliver says, “spares and everything, dump your toolbox on the ice. That way you can change things.” Fast sails Chad uses the All Purpose Power sail that he helped Mike Marshall design, or the Max Power if the wind is light and the ice soft. Oliver uses the APP as well; “I think the APP works further up the speed range and is more versatile” than older designs, adding that there’s always a tradeoff in DN sailing between versatility and optimization. “Because you can change between races, there is the temptation to have very specialized equipment for each condition—but you still need to figure out which is the right setup. I try to keep it as versatile as possible.” What’s changed, and what hasn’t Chad has been iceboating since he was seven. Only a year or two later, “My dad just pushed me off and I went out and didn’t come back.” He laughs. “He’s like, holy crap, I gotta build a second boat.” Since then, Chad has seen the development that used to take place in basements and garages migrate to professional shops like Moore Brothers. Composite masts are more predictable than the spruce or aluminum rigs he grew up with, making DN sailing safer—and a lot more fun. “The technology is really paying off, because you can drive the boat harder and just continue to accelerate another couple of knots.” Oliver came to iceboating as an adult, and he admits that it’s a pretty crazy sport—especially when you factor in all the driving time that chasing ice requires. But it’s addictive, he says. “The racing at the top-end is insanely amazing—so close, you have one bad mark rounding and you lose the regatta. It’s everything that Laser racing is, but at 40 miles an hour.” Another thing that keeps both of these guys hooked is the continuous innovation in search of ever faster speeds. “We’ve outgrown some of the smaller ponds that we used to be able to sail on,” Chad says, “because we’re going too fast. But we’re still working to go faster. The aero package part of it’s really starting to come into play, reducing that triangle between the fuselage and the forward top part of the boom… You’re never done, and it’s always fun. That’s what I love about it.” Or, as Oliver puts it: “It’s a radical thing to be going that fast, that low to the ice, crossing ten boats! One good day of sailing every three years—that’s enough to keep you coming back.” READ MORE

SUPERYACHT CARIBBEAN SEASON PREVIEW Mike Toppa Shares his Excitement on the Upcoming Season 📸 Carlo Borlenghi While those of us up north wait for spring and pine for sunshine and warm trade winds, Superyacht owners from around the world are gathering in the Caribbean with family, friends, and crew. With three regattas (Antigua Superyacht Challenge, St. Barths Bucket, and Les Voiles des St. Barths) fit into two months, “they have a really healthy entry list,” North Sails Superyacht expert Mike Toppa explains, when we caught up with him just before he jumped on a plane. “They moved the dates for Antigua this year, so boats will race there, transit directly to St Barths, and pick right up where they left off days earlier.”Mike will be sailing onboard Rebecca for the Antigua Challenge, and he’s excited about the brand-new sails they’ll be using for the first time. “New 3Di ENDURANCE main and mizzen, Nylon A2, and 3Di RAW Helix genoa staysail. They’re the latest generation in terms of structure, engineering and design, so I expect to see a pretty nice performance gain.” But he’s equally excited about stepping on board the 56m Perini Navi Zenji for the St. Barths Bucket, where Spectra paneled sails are still going strong. “I think they’re six or seven years old now. They’re regulars at the Bucket, and they like to race and compete. They have a great crowd on board, and it’s always really fun sailing with them.” Well managed races and boats When asked how many people will be aboard each boat, Mike chuckles. “It’s probably close to 25 on Rebecca. On Zenji, 40-50. There’s a lot of sailors. And then there’s a lot of crew. And there’s the owners and family and friends and guests, so the numbers add up pretty quickly. The boat is 198 feet long, with three decks. Racing it is really a management exercise; everything’s so big, and nothing is manual. So you get it to the line on time, point it in the right direction, trim the sails, make use of the shifts, stay out of the current, and hope for the best!” Both islands do a great job running the regattas, he adds. “Who doesn’t like to sail in Antigua or St Barths? The races are always well managed.” 📸 Carlo Borlenghi Race all day, repair all night North Sails Service will also be well managed, thanks to many months of planning. Overnight repairs will be provided to the entire fleet in both Antigua and St. Barths. “We have the full staff from the loft, and we also fly in a lot of our sailmakers,” Mike says. “We’ve been doing this for several years, and we’ve gotten very efficient at knowing the materials and machinery and manpower we need to handle a fleet of that size and sails of that size.” A tear in a 3Di mainsail can be repaired on board, but the most common repairs are on spinnakers, and they have to be stitched back together at the loft. “It’s not an easy task, because the sails are huge and heavy and wet and just getting them off the boat and to the loft takes a lot of muscle and planning. We work hard at making it as easy as possible for the owners and the captains and the crews.” Once sails get to the loft, the repair team works through the night to have them ready to go the next morning. “Even a 12 inch tear in a spinnaker that’s 1200 square meters in area is a big deal, because you have to move the sail through the machine and it might weigh 200 kilos. It is a big job.” Asked for an estimate of how many sails could be repaired in one night, Mike can’t give an exact number. “Oh, it’s hard to say. It really is approached by just getting it all done. That’s part of the planning process.” There’s no permanent sail loft on St. Barths, so the North Sails team creates a “pop-up” loft. “We send in all the machinery and materials, erect a tent, and do all the sail repairs right alongside the water,” Mike says. “This year, Matt Smeaton is coming up. He has a particular interest to be part of the service team in St. Barths because for a lot of the boats, this will be their last stop before they head to New Zealand for the America’s Cup. We’re trying to make sure there’s a seamless transition for our customers.” 📸 Carlo Borlenghi Heading west After the Caribbean regattas end, several boats will transit the Panama Canal and then spend the summer working their way down to New Zealand, arriving in time for the 2021 Millennium Cup. “No one tries to get there quickly,” Mike explains. “It’s more of an opportunity to island-hop and see some new places.” The transition will be a little bit easier for the Superyachts like Rebecca that use their 3Di Endurance main and mizzen for both racing and cruising. “3Di Endurance sails can be raced with confidence,” Mike says, “because it’s molded just like 3Di RAW sails are, so the shape is locked in.” Meanwhile, the North Sails Superyacht team will already be working to apply the lessons learned at this year’s Caribbean regattas to their service at upcoming regattas around the world. “Everybody in North America, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia will compare notes: what we could do better, and our successes. And then looking forward, what’s coming up and how to best plan for it, to make sure that we have the assets needed at each event to cover any conceivable need.” And then it’s time to get off the phone, because Mike is flying off to Antigua to help bend on Rebecca’s new sails. That, too, takes “a little bit of experience in planning,” he says. “There’s a lot of people involved. First thing is to make sure you have the weather window, before it gets too windy to hoist. Next thing is to get them bent on, battens installed, and furled.” The reward? Trimming in state-of-the-art sails, and enjoying that performance jump. READ MORE

Kreće nova ORC sezona S ožujkom već nekoliko godina starta sezona ORC jedrenja u Hrvatskoj. Tako će biti i ove godine, a uvodno jedrenje će biti u organizaciji JK Uskok na Zadar ORC Cupu. Ono što vjerojatno najviše zanima pratitelje ove izrazito sportske discipline u jedrenju krstašima je nastavak suradnje, odnosno nastavak pokroviteljstva CRO ORC Kupa od strane tvrtke D-Marin. Naime, trogodišnji ugovor koji je Udruga ORC jedriličara potpisala s ovom Turskom tvrtkom istekao je s krajem 2019. godine. U međuvremenu su se dogodile promjene u vlasničkoj strukturi hrvatskih akvizicija ove tvrtke. To je donijelo jednu malu dozu neizvjesnosti po pitanju budućnosti, ali kako je menadžment tvrtke ostao isti, dogovor o nastavku suradnje je vrlo brzo postignut. Nekih novosti u tom segmentu nema i ono što je najvažnije iz Ugovora je to da se nastavlja sponzoriranje regata koje za bazu imaju neku od D-Marin marina u 100% iznosu startnina ako je riječ o dvodnevnim događanjima, odnosno kad je u pitanju Prvenstvo Hrvatske kao trodnevni event onda će natjecatelji imati minimalni trošak startnine po članu posade. Naravno, u to ulazi i besplatan vez za sve sudionike. Kalendar za ovu godinu izgleda ovako: 1. Zadar ORC Cup, 14-15.03. JK Uskok & D-Marin Borik - Zadar 2. Uskrsna regata, 01-04.04. JK A.N.A. - Hvar 3. Prvenstvo Hrvatske, 01-03.05. JK Val & D-Marin Mandalina - Šibenik 4. Šibenik ORC Cup, 07-08.11. JK Val & D-Marin Mandalina - Šibenik 5. Grand finale, 21-22.11. JK Val & D-Marin Mandalina - Šibenik Po pitanju formata natjecanja, nema nikakvih promjena, osim što je dogovoreno da se otvori mogućnost jedrenja navigacijskog plova. Ranijih godina riječ je bila o isključivo tehničkom formatu regatavanja, odnosno o jedrenju isključivo oko bova u štap polju. Inzistiralo se na tom formatu je osim ovih nekoliko regata za CRO ORC D-Marin Cup, rijetko tko je organizirao regate koje su se jedrile oko oznaka. Kod nas se za krstaše uglavnom organiziraju navigacijske regate. Međutim, na Europskim i Svjetskim prvenstvima obavezno se jedre i navigacijska jedrenja i ti rezultati se čak nesmiju odbaciti. S druge strane, jedan broj hrvatskih jedriličara stalno je isticao nedostatak navigacije i to isticao kao razlog zašto ne sudjeluju u Kupu, tako da im se s ovim potezom želi izaći u susret. A hoće li ovaj potez rezultirati povećanjem broja jedrilica na regatama vidjet ćemo već za desetak dana u Zadru. Što se same flote tiče, desile su se neke promjene. Pod zastavom JK Uskok od ove sezone jedrit će se na Gringu 3 - Farr 40, jedrilici koja je do nedavno jedrila pod imenom Toto Travel. Nova akvizicija je i pod plamencom JK Val. Maleni First 34.7 - Ladies First više nema ORC ambicija, a posada je prešla na J111... trenutno bez imena. Još ovu sezonu Murtersko-Biogradska posada će jedriti na X-41 X-Cite, a od iduće najavljuju da će i za Kup jedriti na jedrilici ClubSwan 36 čiji dolazak očekuju tijekom travnja. U svakom slučaju, ORC dozvoljava da datum proizvodnje jedrilice nije presudan element u postizanju dobrog rezultata, već je najvažnije da se taktički i tehnički regata odjedri sa što manje grešaka i da se iz svoje jedrilice izvuče maksimum, a softver će to prepoznati i vrednovati na odgovarajući način. Zato, ako želite kvalitetno jedriti i puno naučiti, prijavite se u Kup i navedene regate ubacite u svoj kalendar! READ MORE

1. Briva - kriterijska regata Optimista u Biogradu U šest odjedrenih plovova u Biogradu Josip Tafra, Omišanin koji jedri za JK Labud, šest puta osvaja prvo mjesto i sa šest bodova prednosti odnosi pobjedu na prvoj regati koju je u svojoj kratkoj povijesti organizirao JK Briva. Domaćini su se istinski potrudili da njihova prva regata ostane svima u dobrom sjećanju, tako da se može reći da su uvjeti za rad bili baš onakvi kakvi bi trebali biti na svim regatama. Ali definitivno je u tome ogromnu zaslugu imala jaka logistička podrška od strane roditelja i rodbine djece iz kluba koji su volontirali u svim segmentima organizacije. Regata je bila jedna od kvalifikacijskih regije Jug, tako da je samim tim po bazičnim postavkama morala trajati tri dana i njezini rezultati se vrednuju za rang ljestvicu pomoću koje će se, zajedno s jednakom takvom ljestvicom regije Sjever, formirati flota koja će jedriti kvalifikacijske regate za sastav reprezentacija koje će nas predstavljati na Europskom i Svjetskom prvenstvu klase Optimist. U Biogradu je imalo namjeru sudjelovati 71 kadet i junior, ali kako su uvjeti na moru bili vrlo teški efektivni utjecaj na rezultate je imalo njih 59. Petak je obilježila tramontana koje se ponašala točno po vremenskoj prognozi. Ujutro je bila lagana do umjerena, a kako je dan odmicao puhala je sve jače. Startevi su išli jedan za drugim i jedina čekanja su bila zbog najsporijih koje se trebalo čekati da odjedre cijelo polje i kasnije stignu do linije cilja. Za njih je to definitivno bio vrlo naporan dan, pogotovo kad se uzme u obzir da je jačanjem vjetra rastao i osjećaj hladnoće. Jedrilo se dosta brzo i najbrži su obilazili sve bove za malo više od 40 minuta. Subota je bila jednako vjetrovita. Jedina razlika je bila što je odmah od početka puhalo jugo, pa je bilo zarotirano za 180° u odnosu na ono od dan ranije. U oba ova slučaja Regatni odbor je flotu odveo u južni dio Pašmanskog kanala, dosta dalje od pozicije koju su očekivali treneri. Taj izbor RO-a u kombinaciji s uvjetima na moru većini trenera nije dao mnogo izbora, pa su morali odmah odlučiti da li će najmlađe natjecatelje voditi sa sobom u gumenjacima ili će ih poslati na jedrenje s nadom da će uspjeti završiti bar prva jedrenja. Program predviđen za subotu se jednako brzo odvijao kao i dan ranije. Tafra i društvo s vrha bi odjedrili svoju regatu za malo više od 40 minuta i slijedilo bi čekanje ostalih. Jedino ponavljanje starta se desilo u posljednjem plovu nakon što je dobar dio flote uz brod RO-a prijevremeno prešao preko startne linije. U svim plovovima scenario je bio približno jednak. Josip Tafra i najbržih 6-7 jedriličara bi povelo regatu i nakon bove od orce razlika između njih i ostatka flote se konstantno povećavala, a jednako tako i distanca između Josipa i njegove pratnje. Najveća konkurencija mu je bio klupski kolega Marin Ljubičić. Njih dvojica su često bili vrlo blizu i u završnim etapama pojedinih plovova, ali svaki put bi se završilo na isti način. Tako da je na kraju Marin uknjižio četiri druga mjesta, te po jedno 3. i 5. Na trećem mjestu regatu je završio Bepo Duplančić iz JK Zenta. On je također i pobjednik u konkurenciji do 12 godina, a jedini rezultati koje je imao su bila 3. i 4. mjesta. Bod iza njega je završila najbrža djevojčica generalno i u kategoriji do 12 godina. Riječ je o jedriličarski JK Zvir, Nini Marušić. Ona je u posljednjem plovu čak uspjela završiti na drugom mjestu, a osim nje i Marina s tim mjestom se mogao pohvaliti jedino još Leon Njirić iz JK Orsan, na kraju petoplasirani. FOTO: BRUNA MANDIĆ Od domaćih predstavnika najbolje plasiran je bio Noa Šangulin na 8. mjestu. DNF u trećem plovu mu je najlošiji rezultat, a da je taj rezultat bio u stilu ostalih koje je imao ta dva dana postojala je realna šansa da završi bar jedno mjesto bolje. Inače, na 6. i 7. mjestu su Borna Krmpotić - JK Uskok i Damjan Jurišić - JK Orsan. Što se tiče nedjelje, trećeg dana predviđenog za jedrenje, od nje nije bilo ništa u natjecateljskom smislu. Već od jutra puhalo je jugo s 30 i više čvorova, bez ikakve najave da će oslabiti. Zato je odmah izvješen kodeks alfa i vrlo brzo je napravljeno proglašenje pobjednika. Rezultate možete pronaći na ovom linku. Što se tiče najnovijeg izdanja rang ljestvice regije Jug, vodeći trojac je iz JK Labud... Tafra, Ljubičić i Cepić-Zokić, dok je najbolja djevojčica Aurora Palko - JK Split, na 6. mjestu. Kompletno stanje prije iduće kvalifikacijske regate, koju će idući vikend organizirati JK Split, možete pronaći na ovom linku. READ MORE