2017 PROVES NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MELGES 32

North-powered clients reap benefits of 3Di sail development at Melges 32 season finale in Cala Galera

The Melges 32 Worlds welcomed 17 boats from seven nations to Cala Galera, Italy. Ten races in steady wind and sunshine rounded out the class’s 2017 season, showing teams with North 3Di sails in the front of the pack. Introduced to the Melges 32 in 2016, North Sails 3Di is making it’s way through the fleet as sailors upgrade to achieve the utmost in sail performance.

“The Worlds was a great event with 10 races and we are happy to say that the second and third boats were North-powered teams, ” said North Sails expert Giulio Desiderato, who works to advance North’s product development efforts in the class.

In the Melges 32, a growing number of teams are making the switch to 3Di. One example is 2017 European Champions Torpyone, who finished second overall in the Melges 32 World League. Torpyone opted for a 3Di RAW mainsail and headsail, which they’ve used consistently throughout the season.

North Sails 3Di is a proprietary sail technology that reduces stretch and sail weight, while increasing the structural and performance life. 3Di sails are composed of ultra-thin unidirectional spread filament tapes, which are pre-impregnated with thermoset adhesive and arranged in a complex multiple-axis array. The process allows designers precise control over the placement and orientation of material within each sail, and results in resistance to stretch in all directions. First tested and proven in larger inshore and offshore racing boats, North Sails 3Di is now making its way into popular one design classes like the Melges 32, Melges 24, Melges 20 and Melges 40 Grand Prix.

In an interview following the event in Cala Galera, Giulio stresses the investment from North in competitive one design racing. “The Melges 32 is a competitive class that has been active for a long time. North Sails is invested in the development of the sails, and at every regatta we are here to collect feedback from the competitors. We work with our specialists to develop the best product we can for the teams.”