NORTH SAILS BLOG

NORTH SAILS, VELA OLÍMPICA DE 49ER Y 49ER FX North Sails ha sido elegida proveedora de velas para las clases 49er y 49erFX Tras meses de pruebas y comparativas con otras velerías, un comité formado por medallistas y entrenadores olímpicos, los medidores de ambas clases, un representante del astillero y los propietarios de la marca ha elegido la tecnología 3Di de North Sails para propulsar a los 49er y 49erFX en el próximo ciclo olímpico de París 2024. "Es la primera vez que una clase olímpica puede elegir un equipamiento que optimiza prestaciones, consistencia y longevidad con un bajo impacto medioambiental, todo en un mismo paquete", explica el actual campeón mundial y olímpico de 49er, Blair Tuke. Los equipos de 49er y 49erFX utilizarán mayores y génovas 3Di tanto para entrenar como para competir en las regatas previas a los JJ.OO. de París. READ MORE

NORTH SAILS BOX El servicio 24h de velería North Sails Valencia prueba un nuevo concepto de servicio de velería que permite al cliente entregar sus velas para reparación o mantenimiento a cualquier hora del día (o de la noche). North Sails Box es el nuevo acceso directo al Servicio Certificado North Sails en horario 24h. Un correcto mantenimiento resulta clave para garantizar el rendimiento y la longevidad de las velas, y una revisión antes del inicio de la temporada de navegación es el mejor antídoto para evitar problemas cuando más las necesitamos. A través de su red de velerías, North Sails ofrece el Servicio Certificado realizado por los profesionales más cualificados, con protocolos estandarizados que garantizan la máxima calidad en revisión, modificación, puesta a punto y reparación de velas de cualquier fabricante. Ahora, North Sails España avanza un paso más en la calidad de servicio con la creación de North Sails Box, un ingenioso sistema de recogida de material abierto 24 horas al día y siete días por semana. De momento, se ha implementado a las puertas de North Sails Valencia como prueba piloto. El sistema está especialmente indicado para operar los fines de semana y fuera del horario de la velería, lo que permite al cliente entregar las velas en cualquier momento con la garantía de que quedan en manos del equipo North Sails. "La idea es facilitar al cliente el acceso a nuestro servicio de velería", explica desde North Sails Valencia Nacho Braquehais. "En el Box hay un número de contacto al que el cliente llamará para recibir el código de apertura del contenedor. Sólo tiene que abrirlo, meter sus velas, y nosotros pasaremos a recogerlas para realizar el servicio que necesite". Las medidas de la North Sails Box (180 cm de largo por 70 cm de alto y 70 cm de ancho) permiten albergar todo el inventario de un barco de 40 pies. A través de la North Sails Box, los clientes pueden acceder a cualquiera de los servicios de las velerías North Sails: revisión, modificación, puesta a punto y reparación. "Una vez completado el trabajo, devolvemos las velas por el método elegido por el cliente, enviándoselas por servicio de mensajería o llevándoselas nosotros mismos al barco", apunta Braquehais. La primera North Sails Box ya ha comenzado a operar con éxito, y pronto se replicará en otros puntos de España. "Dada la buena acogida de esta prueba piloto, ya estamos trabajando para implantarla en diferentes marinas y clubes de toda la costa española", avanza Luis Martínez Doreste, director comercial de North Sails España. En España, tres velerías ofrecen el Servicio Certificado North Sails: Lluchmajor, Palma y Valencia. Las delegaciones de Málaga y Barcelona incrementan la presencia de la marca con labores de apoyo y gestión, y la utilización de empresas de mensajería permite ampliar el alcance del servicio a todo el territorio nacional. Revisa aquí los diez puntos de revisión del Servicio Certificado North Sails. READ MORE

Prvenstvo 17. distrikta za klasu Zvijezda 📸 regate.com.hr 22 jedrilice klase Zvijezda zajedrile su u Splitu na ovogodišnjem Prvenstvu 17. distrikta, regati koju je za njih organizirao jedriličarski klub Mornar. Na ovu prvu veliku regatu, a ujedno i uvertiru za predstojeće Europsko prvenstvo stigle su posade iz Njemačke, Argentine, Danske, Sjedinjenih Američkih Država, Italije, Mađarske, Ukrajine, Češke, Švicarske i naravno, Hrvatske. Hrvatska je na startnoj listi imala čak šest posada. Najbrojniji su bili predstavnici kluba organizatora, a čak tri među njima bile su u konkurenciji za osvajanje jedne od medalja. Da ne bi sve ostalo samo na statusu favorita pobrinuli su se Tonči Stipanović i Tudor Bilić koji su osvojili zlato, te Mate Arapov i Ante Šitić koji su doma odnijeli broncu. Između njih smjestila se Njemačka posada Merkelbach - Weise, a Arapov i Šitić imali su vrlo ozbiljnu konkurenciju u Argentinskoj kombinaciji Kouyoumdjian - Voltolini koji su završili regatu na samo bod iza njih. Regata se jedrila tri dana, ali flota je na moru bila samo u petak i subotu, jer je nedjelja bila prevjetrovita. Odjedren je maksimalno moguć program za ta dva dana, ukupno četiri plova. To je inače jedno od pravila kojih se pridržava ova flota, maksimalno se jedre dva plova na dan. Vjerojatno u tom ima svoj udio i činjenica da je flota uglavnom sastavljena od jedriličara u zrelim godinama kojima nije više toliko do klasičnog dokazivanja i jedrenja do ruba snaga. Istina, na većim natjecanjima koja traju koji dan više moguće je jedan dan organizirati i tri plova, ali to se koristi samo kad uvjeti to omogućuju. U petak se jedrilo po maestralu. Lokacija je bila klasična za regatu u Splitu, a to je pozicija pored Čiova i Gospe od Prizidnice. Puhalo je laganih 10 do 12 čvorova, ali zato su dan kasnije svi imali priliku pokazati kako se nose i sa zahtjevnijim uvjetima duplo jačeg vjetra i puno većeg vala. Za tu priliku Regatni odbor flotu je odveo ispred Žnjana. Pobjednička posada, Stipanović - Bilić, jedri zajedno od 2019. i nastupa na Bahamima na finalu Star Sailors League za tu godinu. Nakon te regate postali su standardna posada i nastupali su zajedno u svakoj prilici koju je bila ispred njih, a vrhunac te svježe suradnje bile je 4. mjesto na Europskom prvenstvu prošle godine. 📸 regate.com.hr U petak smo imali maestral, ali nije bila klasična shema tko prije do Čiova njegovo je sve, već je bilo iz vani. Stvarno je bio jači pritisak s vanjske strane i kako smo se približavali bovi or orce tako je prevladavao veliki lijevi dric, tako da se sve trebalo jedriti s te strane. To sam dobro prepoznao i iskoristio i napravio treće i drugo mjesto s tim da smo se u petak još malo tražili. Možda smo trebali pobijediti u tom drugom plovu, ali prvu krmu smo pustili Matu da ode vani i onda nas je prošao s vanjske strane. Nakon toga smo imali par grešaka kroz orcu i eto nismo ga uspjeli stići. Ali na kraju smo bili stvarno zadovoljni jer nam je to bio prvi regatni dan s novim brodom i nismo znali kako će sve to izgledati. Bilo je i par manjih problema s opremom, ali uspjeli smo dobro odjedriti. A subota... kako je vjetar jačao sticali smo dojam da smo išli sve brže i brže. Oba starta smo mali kasnili. Prvi plov smo htjeli jedriti lijevo, ali sva sreća što nismo tako dobro startali jer smo se morali izvući desno i odmah nakon tog čišćenja smo skužili da nisu uvjeti bili da idemo klasično lijevo kao i uvijek po jugu, već je bolja bila desna strana. Tada smo odmah uspjeli proći sve koji su bili ispred nas ali s lijeve strane i stvarno, što je bilo više vjetra to smo se osječali komodnije i brže u orcu. Posljedica tog osjećaja bila je da smo u drugoj regai s 5-6 mjesta prošli na drugo, a da je bilo još 100 metara krme možda bi ušli i prvi. Tonči Stipanović, JK Mornar Što se tiče nedjelje, uvjeti na moru bili su poput onih na kraju drugog subotnjeg plova... konstantno preko 20 čvorova. S obzirom da je ispred sviju još uvijek i Europsko prvenstvo, a u subotu je bilo značajnijih šteta po jedrilicama, natjecatelji su se složili da nema potrebe forsirati i svi su se jednoglasno složili da ne izlaze na more po tako jakom vjetru. Po pitanju štete definitivno je najveću imala posada iz SAD-a gdje je kormilar globalna legenda i u Zvijezdi i u Šljuci, Augie Diaz. On i flokista mu Christian Nehammer doživjeli su lom jarbola u prvoj krmi drugog subotnjeg plova. Također su bila prijavljena pucanja pataraca, a naša posada Marinović - Akrap ostala su bez pramčanog štraja odmah nakon starta istog tog plova. Vrlo ozbiljna konkurencija pobjedničkoj ekipi bila je u vidu drugoplasirane posade. Od četiri odjedrena plova rezultati su im se razlikovali samo u jednom plovu. Jedni i drugi imali su po jedno 1., 2. i 3. mjesto, ali prevagu na stranu Mornareve posade odnijelo je drugo mjesto u četvrtom plovu u odnosu na šesto mjesto koje su u trećem plovu osvojili Nijemci. Borba za treće mjesto između posade Arapov - Šitić i Kouyoumdjian - Voltolini također je bila neizvjesna od samog početka. Juan Kouyoumdjian, kormilar Argentinske posade, također poznat i kao Juan K - jedan od najpoznatijih svjetskih dizajnera regatnih jedrilica, pokazao je malo veću stabilnost po pitanju rezultata, dok je Arapov malo više oscilirao. Razlog nisu bile samo odluke na regatnom polju, već i problemi s opremom, što konkretno čut ćete od Mate: Zadovoljan sam sa svim, osim što smo u subotu imali dva veća tehnička problema. Prvo je pukao bocel od škote nakon starta prve regate, tako da smo cijelu regatu odjedrili bez njega, a imali smo odličan start i dobru brzinu. Mislim da bi tada ušli u prvih pet bez ikakvih problema. Drugu regatu nam je isto odmah na startu pukla gornja letva na glavnom jedru, tako da smo cijelo vrijeme morali jedriti bez nje. Tu smo malo izgubili na brzini, ali u prvoj krmi, kad je najjače puhalo, prošli smo neke brodove i napravili razliku toliku da smo drugu orcu mogli izdržati bez te letve i na kraju smo ušli treći. A trenirat smo počeli iza nove godine. Imali smo plan odmah krenuti ozbiljno se pripremiti. Odjedrili smo desetak treninga, ali onda sam proveo vrijeme u Portugalu do kraja ožujka na pripremama s Austrijancima. Nakon toga sam imao problema s koljenom tako da smo prije regate napravili samo jedan trening. Ali uspio sam malo naštimati brod. Išli smo dosta dobro i stvarno sam sretan zbog toga. Čak smo i 20 kg laganiji od sviju ostalih, svi imaju nove brodove, a ovaj naš je napravljen 1984. Nadamo se da je sad puklo sve što je imalo puknuti i da će biti dobra zabava i na Europskom :) Mate Arapov, JK Mornar 📸 regate.com.hr Naša treća posada koja je bila u konkurenciji za postolje, Mišura - Barač, završila je na petom mjestu. Solidno su jedrili tijekom cijelo prvenstva, a bljesak koji je dokazao njihove mogućnosti bio je treće mejsto u trećem plovu. Mjesto ispred njih u toj regati osvojila je naša iduća posada, još jedna pod Mornarevom zastavom, Višić Toma - Lulić Mario. Njih dvojica u petak su bili u sredini flote, ali subota je trebala biti njihov dan. Finiš tog plova imao je svoju dozu dramatičnosti jer je Mario pred samim ciljem upao u more, ali uspio se uhvatiti za klizač vanga na palubi i brzo se vratiti u brod i tako ne dovesti u opasnost ovaj fenomenalni rezultat. Što se tiče nastavka dana, nažalost nisu pristupili četvrtom startu, te su bodovani s UFD, a prvenstvo završavaju na 11. mjestu. Na 16. mjestu završila je posada Marinović - Akrap. Da nije bilo pucanja čelične sajle koja s pramčane strane drži jarbol i da su četvrti plov uspjeli odjedriti do kraja možda bi bili za jedno ili dva mjesta naprijed, ali u svakom slučaju mogu biti zadovoljni konstatntnošću svojih rezultata po širokom rasponu uvjeta na moru. Odmah iza njih završava dvojac De Micheli Vitturi - Olujić. Oni su dobro odjedrili u petak, ali u subotu su se prije starta trećeg plova povukli s regatnog polja jer su htjeli sačuvati opremu za Europsko prvenstvo. A na dvadesetom mjestu završila je posada Han Robin - Žaja Mate. Kompletne rezultate Prvenstva 17. distrikta možete pronaći na ovom linku, dok je bogata i atraktivna fotogalerija subotnjih jedrenja dostupna na ovom linku. READ MORE

GETTING RACE-READY IN CASCAIS WITH THE MIRPURI FOUNDATION SAILING TROPHY North Sails Named Official Sailmaker for the Second Edition 📸 Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy North Sails is proud to be named Official Sailmaker to the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy. First sailed in 2020, this plastic-free sustainable regatta combines competitive sailing with marine conservation, directly linking our sport to protecting the beautiful but fragile ocean. Around 100 offshore boats, including both conventional and high-performance cruisers, are expected to participate in the second edition, June 3rd-6th, 2021 in Cascais, Portugal. “The Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy aims to be one of the main sailing events in the world,” says Paulo Mirpuri, President of the Mirpuri Foundation. “Marine conservation is a crucial cornerstone of our activities at the Foundation and inspires The Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy. We believe in the power of sport to bring people together and raise awareness of our planet’s challenges.” 📸 Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy The regatta will overlap with The Ocean Race Europe. When the fleet of IMOCA 60s and VO65s arrives in Cascais for the first stop of their summer adventure. A coastal race will contribute to the fleets’ overall race scores. One of those VO65s is the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Team. Another important vehicle for the Foundation’s central message of ocean health. North Sails Cascais will provide overnight repair services, including pickup and delivery service for all sailors during the regatta. Please contact the loft directly at +351 916 830 166, speak with our local service team phone loft manager Vincente Pinheiro at: +351 916 857 896. READ MORE

YOU'RE INVITED: SYDNEY OPEN HOUSE We Look Forward to Seeing You There North Sails invites you to an Open House day at the Sydney loft on Saturday 3rd July at 10:00. Joined by North Kiteboarding and North Sails Performance clothing, our experts will run live One Design and Cruising seminars, sail repair lessons, unveil the latest North kites, talk all things foiling and take a look at the newest dinghies from NB Sailsports. Secure your spot and RSVP today! 10:00: Welcome 11:00: One Design seminar panel with Rob Greenhalgh and special guests Scott Babbage and Phil Harmer. The group of experts will share their knowledge of dinghy and small boat sail trim. The seminar will be hands-on, with the panel using a rigged skiff as an example of mast setup and what to look for. 13:00: Cruising sails seminar: what should you look for in a cruising inventory? What is new from North? Our experts talk Helix Furling Gennaker, Tradewind sail, and 3Di OCEAN to share how these products might benefit you. They will also discuss Furling vs. Snuffing, Furlers, and In-Mast Furling. Special guests include Jan Scholten from Selden Masts. 15:00: Close RSVP TODAY READ MORE

Neno je 5. na svijetu! 📸 Robert Daves Ovogodišnji svjetski centar jedrenja, Portugal, bio je domaćin jedne od regata za Finn Gold Cup. Regata se jedrila u gradu Portu, a ujedno je imala i status Svjetskog prvenstva klase i bila je adresa na kojem se mogla dobiti posljednja karta za odlazak na Olimpijske igre u Tokiju koje će se organizirati ovog ljeta. Na regati koja je bila organizirana između 5. i 12. svibnja sudjelovala su naša tri najbolja jedriličara u ovoj klasi. Najiskusniji među njima bio je najbolji europski master prošle godine, Milan Vujasinović - JK Val, Šibenik, a u konačnom plasmanu smjestio se između dva člana JK Labud iz Splita. Jedan od njih je Josip Olujić, a drugi je Nenad Bugarin koji je ostvario rezultat karijere i regatu u Portu završio na fenomenalnom petom mjestu! Nažalost, to peto mjesto nije sa sobom donijelo i glavni cilj sudjelovanja, odnosno kartu za Tokio, jer je nju osvojio Španjolski jedriličar Joan Cardona koji je ovo Svjetsko prvenstvo završio na drugom mjestu. 📸 Robert Daves Što se tiče jedrenja ona su trebala trajati pet dana, međutim, vremenski uvjeti na Atlantiku nisu baš dozvolili da jedriličari postavljaju svoje zahtjeve. Najveći problem bio je val koji se formirao tko zna koliko daleko od Portugala i koji dok je došao u pliće vode ispred kontinenta polako prerasta u brda visočija od jarbola. Kako je to izgledalo na licu mjesta saznali smo od Nene: Evo došli smo doma prije dva dana, vozili smo u komadu od Porta do Splita, tako da sam se uspio malo odmoriti. A što se tiče regate, od pet dana jedrili smo samo tri. Svaki od tih dana jedrili smo po tri plova. Ostala dva dana nismo uopće izašli na more. Uvjeti su nažalost bili nejedrivi. Vani je bio ogroman val... imali smo swell od 4 metra, plus što je vjetar je stalno mijenjao smjer. Jedan od tih dana smo proveli šest sati na moru i jedrenje po takvim uvjetima je stvarno bilo strašno. Uvjeti su bili stvarno neuobičajeni za nas i nisam siguran da li je itko bio na njih stvarno spreman. Trebalo se brzo na njih adaptirati i to je bila totalna nepoznanica za veliku većinu flote. U dolu vala bi skroz ostali bez vjetra iako je puhalo do 15 čvorova. Tako da su to bili uvjeti koji su iziskivali jedan težak fizički rad i mislim da je na kraju bilo presudno to tko je ta tri plova uspio odraditi kako treba da je i imao dobar rezultat. Sve je puhalo iz vani... raspon kuteva bio je od juga do zapada. Svaki plov prvog dana nam je trajao u prosjeku sat i petnaest minuta. Kasnije je RO to smanjio na sat i 5, ali svejedno su bile ekstremno duge regate. Razlog tako teškom moru bilo je to što nas je uhvatio rep ciklone koja je prelazila preko Atlantika. A jedan od ta dva dana kad nismo jedrili nismo uopće ni izašli na more. Dobili smo zabranu od lučke kapetanije, jer kako se sve to odigravalo na ušću rijeke, tu se stvarao kontra kurenat, val je bio veći i uopće se nije moglo izaći na more. I taj dan je kapetanija naložila da se moramo vratiti na kopno do 14 sati. Najviše mi je žao trećeg plova regate, kad sam ušao 21. Imao sam nesreću da je ispod mene na startu bio jedan Portugalski master koji je taj plov bio preko linije i onda sam njemu upao u šiju odmah nakon starta. Još sam se našao i na krivoj strani, a uvjeti uopće nisu bili takvi da napravim tako loš rezultat. A ostale plovove sam napravio na vrlo dobroj razini i stvarno mogu biti ponosan na to. S druge strane Španjolac je jedrio bez greške cijelu regatu, vrlo disciplinirano, na vrhunskom nivou i zasluženo je osvojio mjesto na Olimpijadi. Nenad Bugarin, JK Labud Neno se za tjedan dana vraća u Porto i u Santander, jer ima obaveze prema svom Mađarskom kolegi s kojim je proveo posljednje dvije godine u zajedničkim treninzima i pripremama. Mađar se uspio plasirati na Olimpijadu i njih dvojice će imati pripreme do kraja lipnja, a početkom srpnja Neno s njim putuje u Japan gdje će mu biti podrška i sparing partner. A nakon završetka olimpijske regate Neno završava s aktivnom sportskom karijerom i okreće se svojoj profesiji. Kako je završio Pomorski fakultet kreće s pomorskim zanimanjem i navigavanjem po svjetskim trgovačkim rutama. 8. lipnja se očekuje konačna informacija o statusu klase Finn na Olimijskim igrama, ali 99% su šanse da su Igre u Tokiju posljednje na kojima će se nadmetati ovi teški samci. Primat definitivno preuzimaju "leteće" klase, odnosno daske, kiteovi i jedrilice s foilovima, odnosno klase koje pomalo gube dodir s tradicionalnim jedrenjem na koje je naviknula većina jedriličara i okreće se modernim super brzim klasama koje garantiraju atraktivnost u većoj mjeri, a što je prvenstveno traženo za postizanje televizičnosti, odnosno povećanja minutaže koje će prosječni gledatelj nadmetanja na OI provesti uz male ekrane i morske sportove. Sa sličnim odlukama po pitanju nastavka sportske i profesionalne karijere susreće se i drugi Labudov predstavnik iz klase Finn, Josip Olujić. 📸 Robert Daves Josip je također cijelu svoju seniorsku karijeru posvetio jedrenju u klasi Finn i nakon što se potvrdi najava o izbacivanju iz Olimpijskih sportova ni on nema namjeru pokušavati u nekoj novoj disciplini koju World Sailing definira kao budućnost. Valove te veličine nismo susreli niti za vrijeme treninga ni inače dok smo bili i u Portu i na Kanarima. Sjeverno od nas je prolazila ciklona i taj val je dolazio od nje, a da nije bilo nešto što je uobičajeno govori i to što nas port authority jedan dan nije pustio na more, a jedan smo se morali vratiti do vremena koje su nam oni zadali. Naime, kako nam je klub u kojem smo boravili bio u ušću rijeke, taj kurenat od plime kad okrene smjer stvarao je još divljije valove. A uvjeti po kojima smo jedrili su bili oceanski... istina, zbog tolikog vala su bili drastično drugačiji od onih na koje smo naučili, tako da ne moru reći da sam bio skroz spreman plus neke moje greške, imao sam za posljedicu to da nisam mogao složiti dobru regatu. Nažalost zbog ta dva dana bez jedrenja i toga što smo imali po tri duga plova tih dana što smo jedrili, nije bilo prilike da se resetiram i posložim. Ne bi rekao da sam imao tremu zbog kvalifikacija na Olimpijadu i da je trema imala svoju ulogu u rezultatu, jednostavno nažalost nisam bio na razini na kojoj sam inače. Nažalost ni ja ni njih dvojica nismo uspjeli ostvariti normu, koja je definitivno bila cilj svakome od nas. Evo već treći put smo bili nadomak realizaciji, dva puta ja (Aarhus 2018. i u Grčkoj 2019.) a sad Neno. Možda je razlog ovome i to što nam je obojici ovo prva ozbiljna olimpijska kampanja u dosadašnjoj karijeri. Konkretno što se mene tiče, ja sam tek nakon što sam diplomirao na ekonomskom fakultetu 2016. godine počeo s kompletnim fokusom na jedrenje. Tako da mislim da smo tim neiskustvom na neki način platili ovu cijenu. A po pitanju nastavka sportske karijere, evo i ja čekam objavu što će biti s Finnom nakon Tokija. Po svemu sudeći ta priča se završava, a i ja ću se onda povući iz olimpijskog jedrenja, jer nema smisla da se sad okrećem nekoj drugoj klasi. To bi bio neki potpuno novi početak u kojem bi se sigurno trebao spustiti za desetak kilograma ili i više, a pitanje da li bi mi takva egzibicija s tijelom dala željeni rezultat. Eventualno bi mogao probati s Laserom, ali kroz tu klasu sam relativno brzo prošao davnih juniorskih godina... a tu su već Tonči i Gašo, tako da mislim da to ne bi bila dobra odluka i onda mi ne preostaje ništa drugo nego počet raditi i živjeti ozbiljno :) Josip Olujić, JK Labud Inače je Josip regatu završio na 25. mjestu, dok je naš treći predstavnik u ovoj, kako se znalo govoriti - kraljevskoj klasi, Milan Vujasinović završio na dobrom 15. mjestu. 📸 Robert Daves Do Milana nismo uspjeli doći jer je njegov i privatni i profesionalni život trenutno vezan uz Valenciu. Tamo živi i radi i zasnovao je obitelj, a po svim objektivnim okolnostima uzimajući u obzir njegove godine, ovo je i njemu bio posljednji pokušaj da kao natjecatelj sudjeluje na Olimpijskim igrama. Kako su u cilj ulazili u svakom od odjedrenih 9 plovova možete pronaći u rezultatima na ovom linku. Sigurno je kod svih ljubitelja jedrenja prisutna žal za nesudjelovanjem CRO jedra na regati u Tokiju, ali možemo biti sigurni da su naši momci dali sve od sebe i žalimo im puno uspjeha u nastavku karijere u kojem god smjeru izaberu da je nastave. READ MORE

#NSVICTORYLIST: ORC EUROPEANS High-Level Competition Marks the First Major Event on the Med 📸 Carlo Borlenghi / ORC European Championship The Gulf of Naples in Italy challenged 62 teams for the 2021 edition of ORC Europeans, the first big event on the Mediterranean. Sailors from around the world competed in a mix of offshore and inshore buoy races . Teamwork and speed were the key to transitioning through tricky wind conditions, and North clients turned North Sails 3Di into a winning recipe. Five races were fit into the first two days, and day three decided the top spots. Marco Serafini’s TP52 XIO won Class A, with Fever and Freccia Rossa rounding out the podium. North Sails expert Daniele Cassinari who sailed on XIO commented: “This year Class A had more participants, so the starting line was full of highly competitive sailors. It feels great to walk away with a win–especially considering how tough our competition was. The venue is beautiful and having the turnout amongst the classes was nice to see after the pandemic. I want to congratulate the race committee officials for running a fantastic event, and with some lingering restrictions they were professional and did a really nice job. North Sails clients sailed a great regatta, taking the overall win across the board as well as the top five spots in two of three divisions– clear dominance! Team XIO did a great job, with the crew being our key to success. We have great sailors onboard, 3Di sails, and a new asymmetric spinnaker that helped us make it happen. My brother, also a North sail expert, Giovanni Cassinari, Ciccio Celon, North Sails Alessandro Battistelli, Alberto Fantini, Michele Gnutti, Ciccio Scalicci and Luna Rossa’s Francesco Mongelli made a very good team. A big thanks goes to XIO owner, Marco Serafini and the team manager Gabriele Giardini for bringing us together to sail this event. It was a lot of fun.” Vincenzo De Blasio’s Italia 11.98 Scugnizza triumphed in Class C. In Class B, Swan 42 racing was very close, and the one point lead held by Andrea Rossi on Mela after five races wasn’t enough to hold off Simonelli’s Fantaghirò’s bullet on the last day. Another Swan 42, Renzo Grottesi’s Be Wild* lost a tiebreaker with Mela for third. Close behind in fourth was Catalin Trandafir’s Essentia44, a Grand Soleil 44. A prize was awarded to the best performing ClubSwan 42 in the largest class, which went to Fantaghirò, owned by North client Carlandrea Simonelli in Class B. In the Corinthian divisions, clients Alberto Magnani’s Tengher and Dr. H. Bruening’s Topas took first in Class A and C. Bruno Finzi, President of the Offshore Racing Congress, commented: “The Gulf of Naples has a fantastic regatta course, displayed to its fullest during this European championship. If it had not been for the restrictions on travel, we would certainly have had a record number of participants. This year with 62 boats on the water, we can safely say that this regatta marks a return to racing.” 📸 Carlo Borlenghi / ORC European Championship 📸 Carlo Borlenghi / ORC European Championship 📸 Carlo Borlenghi / ORC European Championship 📸 Carlo Borlenghi / ORC European Championship READ MORE

NORTH SAILS PORTSMOUTH TEAMS UP WITH US ONE-DESIGN New Drop-Off Location to Support All Sailors in The Cape North Sails Portsmouth is excited to announce their partnership with US One-Design in Yarmouth, Massachusetts. The partnership will see US One-Design become a Certified drop-off location for North Sails Service, with the intention of providing top-of-the-line sail service for sailors on the Cape and Islands. US One-Design Sail Drop-Off & Pick Up 80 Mid Tech Drive West Yarmouth, MA 02673 North Sails Service Manager Eric Wakefield shares: "North Sails RI is excited about the new drop off location at US One-Design. This will allow us to work more closely with the sailing community out on the Cape. As we know, logistics can be an issue in the height of our season and having this functioning drop-off site will allow us to help more clients in the future." The most experienced team in sailmaking, North Sails is positioned to deliver expert repairs, maintenance, and upgrades in a timely manner. Whether you need an emergency repair, recut or annual washing and storage, your Certified Service team will keep your sails looking their best. MAP ME THERE CONTACT THE LOFT SCHEDULE DROP-OFF READ MORE

THIS IS HOW NORTH SAILS BECAME THE GLOBAL LEADER IN SAILMAKING By combining innovation and excellence with consistency and worldwide reach, North Sails is at the top of its industry. 📸 Carlo Borlenghi When Lowell North left an aerospace engineering job in 1957 to establish North Sails, he didn’t realize he was starting a company that would soon become the global leader in sailmaking. But his unique style—science-based sailmaking, rather than the usual seat-of-the-pants approach—couldn’t have been better timed. By 1960, polyester Dacron had begun to replace stretchy cotton as the sail material of choice. Suddenly it was possible to build repeatable, predictable sail shapes, kicking off a mid-century sailmaking revolution that affected every part of the industry—much the same way that 3Di is currently changing every aspect of sailmaking today. Scientific firsts Lowell’s first science experiment was to test different types of Dacron for durability. “We began by attaching to the antenna of my car,” Lowell said in a 2017 interview celebrating 60 years of North Sails. “We called it flutter testing, and later built an in-house machine, which spun the attached samples on a rotating wheel or arm.” The result? A new understanding of warp and weave that would inspire North Cloth, the company’s in-house producer of proprietary materials. Today, the North manufacturing team tests every lot of woven or laminated sailcloth used in a North sail, using proprietary processes and equipment, to evaluate performance and durability. Other innovations followed that first flutter test. CEO Tom Whidden says Lowell North achieved a long list of firsts in the 27 years he was president. “He was the first to use patterns; he was the first to use computers; he was the first to use cutting machines. He made software that looked at sail design very logically, and software that measured stress and strain.” As the company grew, North gained a reputation for fast, repeatable designs around the globe. Sails with the round blue and white logo logged wins at all the big events, from the Olympics and Star Worlds to the America’s Cup. North products also began to dominate long-distance racing fleets like the 1981-82 Whitbread Round the World Race (now The Ocean Race). 📸 Raphael Demaret Sail Molding In 1987, when Whidden took over as CEO (right after his successful recovery of the America’s Cup, as tactician for Team Dennis Conner), he embraced what had already become a North trademark: innovation. Hearing about a new approach to sail manufacturing, a patented sail molding process, Whidden was certain it was the right step forward. “We’ve been building sails the same way for so many years… Finally, there was a technological system; we could actually make sails and the sailcloth together.” What would become 3DL, and has since evolved into today’s ground-breaking 3Di, required an enormous technological and financial investment. But it would cement the position of North Sails as sailmaking’s global leader. Fastest Sails Around the World On Christmas Day of 2016, Thomas Coville shattered the previous solo around the world record (57 days) with a final elapsed time around the planet of just over 49 days. He called North Sails a trusted partner—because the company believed in him before he succeeded, but also because his 3Di sails were completely trouble-free. “Before we succeed, we fail a lot. We make mistakes, but we never give up. And now North Sails is the fastest sailmaker around the world today. It’s a fantastic achievement!” In December 2017, Colville’s impressive record was broken once again—this time by François Gabart, who finished his own circumnavigation in just under 42 days. “All our sails are North Sails 3Di,” he says. “I started working with North because they had made a big investment in R&D to get to a material that was strong, light, and solid. They also have a team that is super successful at working with people. It’s important to create a closeness between the sailing team, the design team, the architects, and the sailmaker. It’s a team effort to ensure that across the board, the boat goes fast. And this is what we’ve done with North for a long time now, and we are delighted. There are many good reasons to work with them.” 📸 Christophe Launay, Sodebo Outside the box, but in-house Today, North continues to deliver the top-quality products customers have come to expect, while also constantly moving forward with that important company culture—science-based innovation. One reason both are possible is North’s unique proprietary approach to all aspects of sail design and manufacturing. A worldwide network of expert designers and manufacturing teams work together on a wide spectrum of sailmaking projects: from testing materials, to molding a 3Di Grand Prix jib, to finishing a paneled cruising mainsail. With so many different ground-breaking projects going on at once, cross-pollination happens quite naturally. Adventure sailing ideas help build more reliable cruising products while theories tested in AC75s will help win races at local races around the world. Meanwhile, consistency is maintained around the globe because everyone in the company—local loft experts, a roster of world-renowned sail designers, and the manufacturing teams at the dedicated facilities (Minden, Nevada and Sri Lanka)—is held to the very high standards laid out in the North Sails Blue Book. 📸 Ian Roman Teamwork Fast sails can’t stand up on their own, though, which is why the North Technology Group also includes two sister companies: Southern Spars and Future Fibres. North Sails also designs and manufactures its own sail hardware. The only way to remain the global leader of sailmaking is to continue to deliver consistently excellent and innovative products to customers all around the world. Fortunately, North Sails has spent more than half a century doing just that: a natural expansion from the original vision and culture established by its founder. As CEO Tom Whidden points out, Lowell North’s “whole model of looking at things scientifically made it pretty easy for the people who followed behind him.” For more North Sails history, read our 60 Years stories. 📸 Jesus Renado / SailingEnergy / North Sails READ MORE

Two Lions Challenge ponovno posadi Melgesa 24 - 567 📸 regate.com.hr Hrvatska liga klase Melges 24 uspješno je nastavila s jedrenjem i u ACI marini Ičići, partnerima YC Croatia - organizatora regate, okupila sedam posada među kojima su dvije imale svoj premijerni nastup. Nove ekipe u ovoj atraktivnoj monotip klasi su posada Cro-a-sail tima i ekipa na jedrilici Iggy. Cro-a-sail tim vjerojatno ne treba posebno predstavljati, osim možda mlađim čitateljima koji nisu upoznati s jedriličarskim akcijama ovog tima od prije dvadesetak godina. Za njih ćemo se prisjetiti da je to (za to vrijeme, a vjerojatno i u današnjim okvirima) bio jedini pravi Hrvatski profesionalni jedriličarski tim s iskustvom jedrenja na najvišoj svjetskoj razini. Ovu ekipu okupio je Miroslav Reljanović, a najpoznatiji njihovi nastupi bili su na ORC regatama na Firstu 36.7, odnosno na njihovoj jedrilici klase RC44, u vrijeme kad je klasa bila apsolutni hit na svjetskoj jedriličarskoj sceni. To je trajalo nekoliko godina, a nakon toga jedrenje nastavljaju na manjim jedrilicama, poput Melgesa 20 s kojim aktivno jedre posljednjih godina. Ovo im je bila i inače prva regata u klasi Melges 24, a jedrili su na jedrilici Strilica, posuđenoj u Splitu. Druga ekipa koja je prvi put zajedrila na ovom eventu je posada jedrilice Iggy. Posada je kombinirana od vrlo iskusnih jedriličara od kojih su neki i u suvlasničkim ulogama, a u njenom sastavu u monotip se ponovno uključuje Karlo Kuret naš višestruki olimpijski jedriličar u klasi Finn. Ostali sudionici bili su Blue Label - domaćini i organizatori regate, Panjić, Lero, Noplizić (ex.Obi) i Cezibordo. Za jedrenje su iskorištene obje predviđene lokacije. Ranojutarnja zona bila je u samom kutu Riječkog zaljeva, ispred Voloskog na jutarnjoj tramontani, a druga lokacija je bila par stotina metara južnije od marine u Ičićima, a tu se odjedrio jedini poslijepodnevni plov u subotu. Oba dana prvi startevi bili su zakazani za 06:30, a isplovljavanje je bilo oko 05:45. Nekima je ovo bio prvi susret s ovom praksom koja je praktički svakodnevica za lokalne jedriličare, dok su se neki prisjetili juniorskih i kadetskih dana kad su ovaj akvatorij posjećivali dok su jedrili u Optimistima i Laserima. Subotnja tramontana bila je nešto slabija nego ona u nedjelju i kraće je trajala. Taj plov je ujedno i jedini skraćen. Skraćenje se odigralo kod drugog dolaska na offset i stvarno je bilo napravljeno u pravi trenutak jer je uskoro vjetar nestao s regatnog polja. Nakon toga RO nije imao previše opcija na raspolaganju i najnježnija prema natjecateljima bila je da se svi vrate u marinu i pričekaju da zapuše najavljeni maestral. Čekanje je trajalo do podne i ubrzo se starta po laganom vjetriću iz čistog juga. Jedrenje je bilo dosta zanimljivo jer su bile česte promjene u redoslijedu, a to je najbolje da vidite u playbacku. Nakon ulaska posljednje jedrilice u cilj vjetar ponovno iščezava s mora i flota ide natrag u marinu i to je bilo sve za subotu. Što se tiče nedjelje, prvi start je signaliziran desetak minuta prije nego u subotu, a i snaga tramontane je bila sigurno duplo veća. Možda najmjerodavnije mjerilo bila je prisutnost surfera u istoj zoni. S obzirom na brzinu vjetra i udaljenost između starta i oznake orce, prvi plov se odjedrio u tri kruga. Respektabilne brzine i atraktivnost jedrenja na jednakim jedrilicama ovog puta je povećalo užitak praćenja regate malobrojnoj publici na moru. Ovog jutra apsolutnu dominaciju cijelo vrijeme imala je posada Panjića. Prednosti ostvarivane nakon starta nisu više ispuštali do cilja, a samo povremeno znali su im se približiti posade Iggyja, Noplizića i Cro-a-saila. Što se njih tiče možda bi primjereno bilo reći da su tijekom ta dva plova oni bili dosta izjednačeni po prikazanom jedrenju jer nitko od njih nije posebno dominirao, a stalno su bili na bliskoj udaljenosti. Pred kraj prvog nedjeljnog plova tramontana je ponovno malo popustila pa RO donosi odluku da se četvrti plov jedri u dva kruga. Nakon starta dosta izjednačeno se jedri prema orci, ali Panjić ponovno izbija na čelo i ostvarenu prednost ne ispušta do kraja. Slabljenje tramontane se nastavlja i tijekom ovog plova, ali je ipak ostaje dovoljno da se pokuša i treći plov. Nakon samo par minuta pauze kreće predstartna procedura, jedrilice kreću, ali nakon nekoliko stotina metara RO podiže November i šalje flotu na kopnu, da bi se nakon dodatnih sat-dva zaključilo da je to bilo sve za ovaj vikend podno Učke. O regati smo popričali s predstavnikom domaćina, Petrom Smojverom: S organizacijske strane bilo nam je dosta napeto, što zbog Korone i pratećeg pitanja koliko će na kraju posada doći, te zbog otkazivanja u posljednji tren i najavljenih sudionika i volontera koji su nam na početku ponudili svoju pomoć kako radom, tako i gumenjacima i ostalom opremom. Tako da je taj segment regate bio buran, pogotovo posljednjih nekoliko dana, ali na kraju je sve ispalo super. Mislim da nitko nije imao primjedbe. Regatni odbor je odlično odradio svoj dio posla i izvukao maksimum iz vremenskih uvjeta koji su nam bili na raspolaganju. Ljude nismo previše gnjavili... i to je to. Mislim da smo se dobro predstavili kremi Hrvatskog jedrenja. Mislim, sve posade su se pojačale od Biograda, što s ljudstvom, što s opremom. Vidi se da je bilo ulaganja u jedra, pozivanja novih članova posada i drago mi je da jedan drugog guramo naprijed! Meni osobno i Davoru Jelačić, kao jednima od prvih vlasnika Melgesa u Hrvatskoj, stvarno je drago da smo dio te priče. Realno gledajući mi smo tu potpuni amateri i stvarno nam je drago sudjelovati u svim ovim događanjima. Mislim da se sad stvorila jedna kritična masa i da je u pitanju priča bez povratka. Naravno, svaka klasa ima svoje uspone i padove i sad je ovo svima vrlo zanimljivo. Možda se za nekoliko godina nekim posadama više neće biti toliko zanimljivo sudjelovati, ali ono što je važno je da su jedrilice tu i može doći netko drugi iz Hrvatske. Brod je super. Pruža zadovoljstvo i profesionalcima i amaterima. S njim se može jedriti i na vrhunskom nivou i biti konkurentan na lokalnim regatama. Tako da je to to... nema povratka! Petar Smojver, Blue Label - YC Croatia 📸 regate.com.hr Susret u Ičićima iskorišten je i za prvi susret Hrvatskih posada sa službenim premjeračem klase Melges 24. Iz Slovenije je stigao g.Branko Parunov u prijateljski savjetnički posjet našim jedriličarima. Svi koji su htjeli mogli su doći dan ranije i s Brankom napraviti pregled usklađenosti njihovih jedrilica s pravilima klasa, a održan je i jedan sastanak na kojem se razgovaralo o svemu što je važno kako za opremanje jedrilica, tako i za jedrenje. U svakom slučaju to je bilo vrlo korisno iskorišteno vrijeme u subotnjoj pauzi između tramontane i maestrala. Kompletne rezultate regate možete pronaći na ovom linku, dok u nastavku članka možete pronaći playbackove sva četiri plova. P L A Y B A C K - 1. PLOV P L A Y B A C K - 2. PLOV P L A Y B A C K - 3. PLOV P L A Y B A C K - 4. PLOV Iduća regata iz Melges 24 Croatian Sailing Series u kalendaru je rezervirala vikend od 25. do 27. lipnja i jedrit će se u Dubrovniku. READ MORE

Sva tri mjesta na postolju NS klijentima! 📸 regate.com.hr Šibenik ORC Cup bio je jedna od zahtjevnijih ORC regata posljednje vrijeme, a glavni razlog su zahtjevni vremenski uvjeti koji su išli od laganog juga praćenog s ne baš zanemarivim valom, koje je pojačalo na preko 25 čvorova, da bi idućeg dana bio skoro pa nedostatak vjetra. Ali detaljnije o svemu u nastavku. Pozitivna atmosfera oko CRO ORC D-Marin Cupa koja je vladala na prvoj regati u Zadru nastavila se i u Šibeniku na regati čiji domaćini su bili glavni sponzori regate iz D-Marin Mandalina i JK Val kao organizator. Ono što sigurno najviše veseli sve uključene u ovu priču je to što je flota bila čak i brojnija nego u Zadru, a među novim sudionicima bile su čak tri posade kojima je ovo bio prvi nastup u touru. Od sudionika iz Zadra nedostajali su samo ekipe s JOD-a 35 - Žut i Elana E5 - Elaya, ali zato su svoju promociju imale posade na Archambaultu 40 - Erco D', bivšem Gringu 2, Saloni 34 - One (zajedrila je nova ekipa predvođena njenim novim vlasnikom Antom Kovačevićem koji je ranije jedrio kao taktičar na Mareusu II) i mladi Trogirani na Melgesu 32 OD - Mataran 32. Kako su se vlasnički odnosi po pitanju ovih jedrilica mijenjali u proteklih pola godine, a u tom periodu nije bilo ozbiljnijih regata, ova regata im je uglavnom služila kao uigravajući test u najjačoj konkurenciji koja se može naći u Hrvatskoj kad su krstaši u pitanju, tako da su i dalje glavnu riječ imala standardna imena i posade na koje smo već godinama naučili vidjeti u vrhu ORC rezultata. Regatno polje bilo je smješteno na uobičajenoj lokaciji kad je Šibenski akvatorij u pitanju, u trokutu između Zlarina, Prvića i Obonjana, dok se navigacijski plov jedrio po istoj ruti kao onaj kojeg smo imali priliku pratiti na Prvenstvu Hrvatske prošlog studenog, a možda najvažnije za spomenuti je da se uspjelo odjedriti svih pet predviđenih plovova. U subotu su se odjedrila dva, oba po jugu. To jugo je krenulo vrlo lagano i bilo je praćeno dosta nemirnim morem s valom koji je poprilično usporavao manje jedrilice. Kako je dan odmicao vjetar je polako jačao, a s njim je rasla i nervoza na startnoj liniji, pa se start drugog plova morao ponoviti zbog preuranjenog prelaska startne linije nekolicine sudionika. Zbog procedure koja se u tom slučaju mora poštivati "izgubljeno" je desetak minuta koje su se jedriličari u idućem plovu mogli mnogo bolje iskoristiti. Naime, vjetar u drugom plovu bio je nešto jači nego u prvom i osiguravao je dosta dobro jedrenje tijekom prve orce i prve krme, ali dok je flota jedrila drugu orcu naglo je počeo jačati. Veliki su to relativno dobro podnosili u orcu, dok su maleni bili značajno usporeni, a vjerojatno bi izabrali i manje flokove. Ovako su morali jedriti u "overpowered" modu. S druge strane taj mod jedrenja velike jedrilice dočekale su u trenucima obilaska offseta, pa su neki od njih imali i problema s genakerima i spinakerima. Vjerojatno najveći problem, a potencijalno i najopasniji u ovom plovu, doživio je Damaco. Sreća u nesreći je to što im se nezgoda desila prilikom spuštanja genakera prilikom obilaska gatea, dok vjetar još nije drastično pojačao. Njima je genaker završio ispod trupa i zbog problema s izvlačenjem izgubili su dosta vremena tako da su taj plov morali odustati. Naravno, kad je vjetar ekstremno pojačao RO je mogao donijeti samo jednu odluku, a to je da se nakon ulaska posljednje jedrilice u cilj flota šalje u marinu i nastavlja se u nedjelju. 📸 regate.com.hr Vremenski uvjeti u nedjelju su bili sušta suprotnost. Oko 10 sati, za kad je bio predviđen prvi start, puhalo je svega nekoliko čvorova sa zapada, tako da se slobodno moglo krenuti s navigacijskim plovom, jer uvjeti za jedrenje u štap polju stvarno nisu bili zadovoljeni. Ruta navigacijskog plova bila je već isprobana prije sedam mjeseci na ORC PH 2020. Ukupna duljina bila je nešto veća od 19NM, a jedriličari su je prejedrili čak i brže nego prvi put. Zapadnjak sa starta počeo je jačati već prilikom izlaska iz Zmajanskog kanala. Smjer vjetra i kurs jedrenja bili su vrlo zahtjevni u smislu jedrilja koje su imali na raspolaganju. Riječ je o jednoj od novosti koje je ORC počeo primjenjivati u 2021. a odnosi se na "penalizaciju" flying jedara. Ovisno o ORC certifikatima za pojedinu jedrilicu, ona mogu imati značajan utjecaj na kalkulaciju rezultata u štap jedrenjima, a u kojima bi se koristila u rijetkim uvjetima. Tako da ih je većina posada izbacila iz svoje opreme za ovu sezonu, ali bi im bila od ogromne pomoći u ovoj navigaciji. Tako da su se neki pomagali sa spinakerima, a neki su mogli koristiti jedino najveće flokove... Nakon završetka navigacijskog jedrenja odmah se krenulo , sad po sjeverozapadnjaku, jedriti još jedan štap. Ciljano vrijeme od oko sat vremena jedrenja sve jedrilice su uspješno ispunile, pa je ostalo vremena i za peto jedrenje. Orca u ovom plovu bila je postavljena na istom mjestu kao i u prethodnom plovu, ali vjetar je počeo slabiti i okretati u lijevo, pa se morao usidriti i "charlie". Pozicija mu je bila oko 30° više u lijevo nego prvoj orci, a s obzirom da je vjetar počeo i slabiti na njemu je skraćen ovaj plov. Kako su se jedriličari snalazili u svim tim situacijama možete vidjeti na playbackovima, a također i zainteresirani mogu napraviti i numeričku analizu pomoću podataka u statističkoj sekciji, a ako vas jedino zanimaju konačni rezultati, njih možete pronaći na ovom linku. Rezultati 1. plov 2. plov 3. plov - navigacija 4. plov 5. plov Statistika STAT - 1. PLOV STAT - 2. PLOV STAT - 4. PLOV STAT - 5. PLOV Playbackovi P L A Y B A C K - 1. PLOV P L A Y B A C K - 2. PLOV P L A Y B A C K - 3. PLOV - NAVIGACIJA P L A Y B A C K - 4. PLOV P L A Y B A C K - 5. PLOV READ MORE

GRUNDIG SAILING CUP SKUDT GODT I GANG Weekendens vinder førte an med det nye XCS-4 storsejl og mandskab fra North Sails 📸 Jan Jacobsen/ Grundig Sailing Cup / Sejlklubben Neptun Vejle Holdet og jeg har sejlet en del sammen i sejlsportsligaen men havde ved årets første J/70 stævne lånt en båd af min gavmilde kollega fra North Sails, Henrik Søderlund. Tak Henrik. Vi kender hinanden godt og og har styr på bådhåndteringen. Det giver en god ro i båden og overskud til at se ud over banen. Vi var virkelig sultne efter at komme på vandet og komme i gang med den sæson der ser ud til at blive en hel del sjovere end 2020. Som trimmer ombord havde jeg nok at se til, da vi sejlede inde i Vejle fjord. Med super springende vind og alt fra 8-18 knob. Det var en stor udfordring at blive sat rigtigt op i de forhold. Så omstilling var nøglen til et godt resultat. Jeg er sikker på at baneleder, Peter Lûbeck, også havde nok at se til i de krævende forhold tæt ved land. Sejlklubben Neptun Vejle havde sat en del kræfter ind så alle følte sig velkomne og det lykkedes. Alt blev afviklet på bedste måde. Godt gået SNV. Vi fik endelig set det nye storsejl XCS-4. Efter at havde sat båden op og skruet lidt på sagerne, fik vi godt styr på sejlet og fandt en fin balance. Sejlet er jævnt og nemt at arbejde med. J/70 feltet vokser i Danmark og der kommer flere og flere dygtige sejlere i klassen, jeg er sikker på vi vil have et godt kompetitivt felt inden for få år. Det er tydeligt at klassen har set at North Sails har brugt en masse kræfter på at bygge gode sejl til J/70. Der er blevet bygget gode sejl og sammen med en god trimguide virker det. Båden bliver glad. Vi ser alle sammen frem til det kommende EM på Øresund hvor 150 hold fra hele Europa kommer og viser vejen. Altid sjovt at sejle mod de bedste. Denne gang vandt vi og vi glæder os til vi skal sejle igen allerede næste weekend ved Sejlsportsligaens første stævne i 1. Division i Middelfart. 📸 Jan Jacobsen/ Grundig Sailing Cup / Sejlklubben Neptun Vejle 📸 Jan Jacobsen/ Grundig Sailing Cup / Sejlklubben Neptun Vejle 📸 Jan Jacobsen/ Grundig Sailing Cup / Sejlklubben Neptun Vejle 📸 Jan Jacobsen/ Grundig Sailing Cup / Sejlklubben Neptun Vejle 📸 Jan Jacobsen/ Grundig Sailing Cup / Sejlklubben Neptun Vejle 📸 Jan Jacobsen/ Grundig Sailing Cup / Sejlklubben Neptun Vejle READ MORE

INTERLAKE CHIEFS REGATTA, A FAMILY AFFAIR Congratulations to the Ireland Family! Team Ireland hiking hard! 📸 J.P. Clowes The Interlakes Chiefs Regatta, hosted by Leatherlips Yacht Club, brought challenging conditions to the 19 teams participating. Sailing on the damned Scioto River in Columbus Ohio, Nate Ireland held on for a one-point victory over Tim Boucher and 4 points over third-place AJ Savage in the four-race series. It was a total North Sails sweep of the podium. Nate was joined by his wife Bridget and eleven-year-old son Vincent to round out the winning team. “Getting to the first mark after a short first beat was very important” states Nate. “Even though we didn’t have the greatest of starts or positioning at times, we still managed to work our way towards the top of the fleet every race”, Nate continues “The one race we did have a great start we held on to the lead and extended the whole way”. The Irelands showed great boat speed working their way through the fleet using their new North VII Main, VII Jib, and il Maxo Spinnaker. Nathan loves bringing his son Vincent along on events like this. This season they are training him to do the spinnaker work on the boat. Eventually, Nathan, says Vincent, will go on to crew for other club members opening up a crew spot for Vincent’s nine-year-old brother Quinton to join the family team. Congrats to Team Ireland! SHOP INTERLAKE SAILS 📸 J.P. Clowes 📸 J.P. Clowes READ MORE

A YACHTING CUP TO REMEMBER Getting Back On The Water Has Never Been So Great © Mark Albertazzi Tell us about the conditions of the race/event. Saturday started out with light to medium southerly breeze that shifted a bit to the right (West) through the day, but stayed on the lighter side. The fleets from the offshore course sailed a long “race to the barn” that was a windward leeward course followed by an upwind beat to channel marker SD 1 with the finish line back into the bay, close to SDYC. Sunday was a different story. A rough sea state and more breeze filled in throughout the day. The pressure started a bit less than expected, but came up as the day went on with reports of wind speed in the low 20’s. The combo and the breeze made for a serious day on the water for all teams. There was a bit of attrition across the board as teams struggled with the rough conditions. How did this year's race differ from 2019? More or less competitors, more OD? Or more PHRF? The fleet this year was on the smaller side with 46 boats, but a significant increase from the 30-boat fleet in 2020. We had strong One Design racing in the J/105, Beneteau 36.7, and 40.7. We also had strong fleets in the 40’ PHRF group–the racing was extremely competitive. Who stood out during the weekend of racing? We have a couple of North Sails clients that stood out during the event. The infamous Pyewacket, featuring a complete 3Di Raw sail inventory, came 1st in PHRF A while Blue Blazes finished 2nd in PHRF A. The RP 50 features 3Di 760 Endurance sails. Finally, J OK, a J/105, were the overall regatta winners with North Sails headsails, Li6 and Mi5, onboard. In your opinion, what was the main highlight of the regatta weekend? The race to the barn on Saturday was a highlight, but the conditions that the fleets had to deal with on Sunday for sure would be the overall highlight. Having some shoreside activities after racing on Saturday was also very well received; not to mention some drinks and live music (with guest Patrick Murray!) The entire weekend felt like things are starting to get close to how they were pre-Covid. © Mark Albertazzi Who should everyone keep an eye on this season? The Beneteau 40.7 Lugano is a boat to keep a close eye on. They won their class easily, with North Sails duo John and Mark Baxter on board. They will be even faster when John gets the 3Di sails on the boat–look out! The Farr 40 Dark Star was coming on strong on Sunday in the rough conditions, but had dug too big of a hole on Saturday to get to the top of the leaderboard. If they get going sooner, they’ll be serious contenders. The Thomas 35 Echo was crewed by a majority of the SDYC junior sailors. For sure, they’re getting better all the time with more experience on the big boats. It was great to see them out there doing well and having fun. They had a bit of a hard time in the rough conditions on Sunday, but really well done by team Echo–keep an eye out for them. Why should clients on the west coast choose North Sails? North Sails hosted a webinar previewing the event providing knowledgeable intel on what was expected on the racecourse. Those who logged on got tips about the trends on the racing area lately with a few hot tips on the left and a bit of insight on the breeze being a fair bit higher than forecast. What’s next on the horizon for racers? For the most part, the southern California sailing scene is going to be going into “offshore” mode. We have the California offshore race week coming. This is a relatively new event that has combined three races: Spinnaker cup (SF-Monterey) Coastal Cup (Monterey -Santa Barbara) and the So Cal 300 (Santa Barbra - SD by way of the cortez bank offshore buoy). This is one of the last chances for teams to warm up for the Premier offshore event on the west coast Transpac, starting Mid-July. © Mark Albertazzi © Mark Albertazzi READ MORE

THAT ONE THING: SUZY LEECH Every Sailor Has It: That “One Thing” they do when they go sailing. Pro sailor Suzy Leech’s thing? Counting. We’re weeks away from summer in the Northern Hemisphere and getting back out on the water is a top priority. But, as we start to gear up, have you been wondering what can give you the cutting edge? We’ve turned to our best sailors and sailmakers to find out the ONE THING they do every time they go sailing to make them just a little bit better than the rest. “My friends will tell you…” Suzy pauses for a chuckle. “I count everything! And I just can’t stop.” Suzy’s resumé includes navigator, engineer, and professional bowman. Last year she took on a new challenge, doublehanded sailing with Ken Read, and together they won the Fort Lauderdale Key West Race. Ken called her a “badass,” so we figured she’d definitely have something to add to our new series, That One Thing. Counting down accurately was an important part of Suzy’s success as a bowman, because she could judge the distance to the line without having to constantly look at her watch. But she says the countdown from her teammates on the final approach to the windward mark was even more helpful. “The navigator can see best 2-3 minutes out, but as you get closer the leeward trimmer needs to take over. Everyone counts down a little differently, but knowing whether you’ve got a minute or thirty seconds is key, because then you know if you can take a little extra time to make sure it’s all good.” 📸 Billy Black Another way Suzy uses counting is to predict any breeze changes that require an adjustment from trimmers and helm. In addition to calling in significant puffs and lulls, Suzy tries to work in some context about what to expect for the next fifteen to thirty seconds. It takes a lot of practice to get the balance of priorities right. She’s learned that if you give too much information, everyone will tune it out. Too little and the team is not ready for what comes next. Like most sailing skills, Suzy says practice and repetition are key because counting down has to remain accurate even while you’re also doing something else. Unlike most sailing skills, Suzy reminds us we can all practice calling the breeze from on land, as long as we can see the wind moving across water. And if you’re on a boat where someone else is the designated breeze caller, “Just say it to yourself,” Suzy suggests. “When you get better than they are, volunteer—and then it’ll be your job.” Suzy’s Superstition Even being able to keep time accurately with her eyes closed won’t help Suzy deal with her own niggling superstition. Whenever someone asks, ‘Is the spinnaker packed?’, she gets quite nervous. “Even if I’ve just packed it, I have to go down and do it again,” she admits. Then she adds a pro tip: “Always make sure to pull out a couple feet of the tack and lay it back on top, to make sure it’ll run free when you’re ready to set.” 📸 Billy Black READ MORE

CHECKING IN WITH NORTH SAILS FT. LAUDERDALE North Sails and ATN Bring Everyone Together A dozen of Fort Lauderdale's most accomplished multihull and monohull brokers assembled at the Lauderdale Yacht Club last Wednesday for a reception sponsored by North Sails and ATN, Inc. Enjoying refreshments, good company, and gorgeous views, these knowledgeable professionals learned more about North Sails' new Helix Furling Gennaker and the many products offered by ATN including their spinnaker dousing sleeve, catamaran trampolines and sun shades, and new dock nets. The Helix Furling Gennaker, new from North Sails in 2021, eliminates the heavy cable needed for traditional furling and is the most reliable and easy to use top-down furling cruising sail in the world. The Helix Structured Luff transforms how sails fly and is key to building a modern inventory. Our cruising sails with structured luff provide a more reliable furl than a sail weighed down with a heavy furling cable, are lighter and easier to handle, and have a wider range of wind angles. That cuts down down on the number of sails needed onboard, and reduces wear and tear, making the Helix Furling Gennaker your new favorite cruising sail. Local North Sails expert Bob Meagher shares, “Cruising sailors always need to reduce clutter, expense, and hassle. The Helix Furling Gennaker wins the whole trifecta -- a sail that can live up and furled on the bowsprit, doing almost all the job of both a code zero and a gennaker.” One attendee summarized it best, "It was the perfect group. We all get caught up with work and personal minutiae, and hardly get an opportunity to connect with our industry friends for social gatherings. Thanks for organizing the outing!" READ MORE

3Di sails are fundamentally different from paneled sails. We’ll walk you through those elements so you can make the best choice for your next sail. READ MORE

LES MEILLEURES VOILES DE CROISIÈRE North Sails a une option pour tous les croisiéristes Découvrez les différences entre les voiles de régate et les voiles de croisière, ainsi que les options qui s'offrent à vous pour trouver la voile qu'il vous faut. Les voiles de régate et les voiles de croisière sont-elles identiques ? Non. Ici, nous allons considérer tous les matériaux des voiles de croisière North. Une fois que vous avez défini votre programme de navigation, les options seront plus faciles que vous ne le pensez. Gardez à l'esprit que vous n'avez pas à faire ces choix tout seul : nos experts North Sails sont prêts à vous aider dans votre sélection. Et pour prolonger la durée de vie de vos voiles, découvrez les meilleurs conseils d'entretien à ajouter dans votre routine d'utilisation. NOUVEAU GENNAKER HELIX POUR CROISIÉRISTES : Manœuvres simplifiées, plaisir accru et performance accessible pour tous En cette année 2021, North Sails lance un tout nouveau produit sur le marché de la croisière, le Gennaker Helix sur enrouleur, qui vient étoffer sa gamme de voiles Helix sans câble anti-torsion. Exclusivement conçu pour les croiseurs et doté d’un guindant Helix structurel, ce Gennaker innovant met l’accent à la fois sur la simplicité d’utilisation et la fiabilité pour naviguer en toute liberté, sécurité et détente. La nouvelle voile s’affranchit du poids excessif du câble de guindant traditionnel, diminuant ainsi les charges à l’enroulement et facilitant les manœuvres. Libérée de son câble anti-torsion, la voile se projette plus facilement au vent et génère une force propulsive plus importante pour pousser le bateau vers l’avant. Elle couvre également une large plage de conditions de vent aux allures portantes pour naviguer plus longtemps sans changer de voile et réduire le nombre de voiles embarquées à bord. Lire la suite Quel matériau dois-je choisir ? Pour les voiles à panneaux sur les bateaux de croisière, nous proposons les voiles NPC CROSS-CUT, NPC RADIAN, NPL SPORT et NPL TOUR. Dorénavant, nous avons également un nouveau type de voiles moulées 3Di ; notre ligne 3Di OCEAN se compose de trois types de matériaux 3Di, conçu pour des bateaux de tailles différentes : OCEAN 330, OCEAN 370, et OCEAN 700. Et n'oublions pas que la ligne 3Di ENDURANCE représente une zone ""polyvalente"" avec des voiles bien adaptées à la fois à la croisière et à la régate. Et puis il y a les nylons tissés, les laminés, et les options 3Di Downwind à considérer quand on envisage le remplacement d'un spinnaker asymétrique ou symétrique. Que vous soyez propriétaire d'un voilier de 22 pieds ou d'un yacht de 22 mètres, l'astuce consiste à travailler avec votre expert pour affiner rapidement les choix de tissu en fonction de vos besoins. Le processus consiste à décider exactement ce qui vous convient le mieux en termes de matériau, de LP, de la valeur du rond de chute, de configuration des lattes, de nombre de ris, de couleur, etc. Cela peut et doit être amusant. Les éléments que vous devez prendre en compte pour réduire vos options : Votre budget. Vos attentes quant à la durée de vie d'une voile. Vos attentes quant à la facilité et la manipulation d'une voile. Votre désir de réduire le poids de la voile tout en respectant les critères ci-dessus. Voiles à panneaux Si l'on s'en tient pour l'instant aux matériaux des voiles de près et que l'on commence par les voiles à panneaux, le point de départ est le polyester tissé, souvent appelé "Dacron". Le fil de polyester est un bon matériau polyvalent pour les bateaux de petite et moyenne taille. Il résiste aux dommages causés par l'exposition aux UV. Il est solide. Et le prix d'une voile en Dacron se situe dans le bas de la fourchette. Résumons en quelques points : NPC CROSS-CUT - Coupe Horizontale en Dacron Budget : lorsque le prix doit être aussi bas que possible, une voile NPC Cross-Cut est le bon choix. Durabilité : ces voiles résistent bien même après plusieurs saisons d'utilisation intensive. Tenue de la forme de la voile : change beaucoup avec les heures d' utilisation. Poids : Ces voiles ne sont pas légères. C'est un problème peu important sur les petits bateaux, mais très perceptible lorsque la taille augmente. NPC RADIAN - Coupe Orientée en Dacron NPC RADIAN est une version haut de gamme de la voile à panneaux en dacron. Les panneaux sont orientés, ce qui confère une bonne amélioration de la tenue de la forme de la voile. Budget : le prix de la Radian est un peu plus élevé que celui de la NPC Cross Cut. Durabilité : ces voiles restent en une seule pièce, même après plusieurs saisons d'utilisation intensive. Tenue de la forme de la voile : assez bonne à l'état neuf, mais attendez-vous à un changement de forme avec l'âge. Poids : plus léger qu'une voile NPC Cross-Cut. Non disponible pour les grands bateaux. NPL - Coupe Orientée en tissu laminé Si l'on s'en tient aux matériaux des voiles de près et des voiles à panneaux, le niveau suivant est le tissu laminé (en langage North, "NorLam"). Les laminés offrent la possibilité de réduire le poids de la voile, d'améliorer la tenue de la forme et d'incorporer des fibres à haut module (faible étirement) et à haute ténacité (résistance). Lorsqu'il est conçu et fabriqué correctement, il est très durable, tout en contribuant à maintenir le poids de la voile à un niveau raisonnable et en offrant de très bonnes performances en matière de forme de la voile. NPL TOUR & TOUR ULTRA "Les modèles Xi Cruise sont destinés aux bateaux de croisière de taille moyenne qui recherchent à la fois un prix modéré et des performances de navigation accrues. Les styles Xi Cruise présentent des couches extérieures tissées en polyester entourant un film de polyester et une fibre aramide (haut module) à l'intérieur. Les couches extérieures protègent le fil d'aramide, tandis que la teneur en aramide réduit le volume et l'étirement. Budget : prix moyen. Durabilité : moyenne à élevée. Tenue de la forme des voiles : très bonne. Poids : bon. Le gain de poids est très appréciable par rapport au dacron." NPL TOUR ULTRA – NorLam Ultra X Les voiles Ultra X sont disponibles pour les bateaux de croisière de taille moyenne à grande. La principale différence entre le Xi Cruise décrit ci-dessus et l'Ultra X est l'utilisation de la fibre UltraPE dans l'Ultra X. L'UltraPE offre des performances de fibre quasi idéales, avec un module et une ténacité très élevés, ainsi qu'une robustesse et une résistance à l'environnement remarquables. Dans le tissu laminé, nous tissons l'UltraPE et nous introduisons une grande quantité de cette fibre dans le tissu. Cette approche n'est pas très économique, mais elle permet d'améliorer les performances et de prolonger la durée de vie des voiles. Budget : niveau de prix un peu plus élevé. Durabilité : excellente. Tenue de la forme de la voile : très bonne. Poids : moyen. NPL SPORT – NorLam Ultra XC "Prenez tout ce qui a été dit plus haut sur le Norlam Ultra X, et ajoutez la fibre de carbone. Supposons que tout le monde connaît la fibre de carbone de nos jours, étant donné son omniprésence dans les voitures de course, les vélos qui semblent ne peser presque rien, les bateaux de 80 pieds ultra légers, et à peu près tous les produits à haute performance qui semblent ne peser presque rien. Depuis plus de vingt-cinq ans, North Sails utilise de l'UltraPE et de la fibre de carbone pour fabriquer des voiles de croisière destinées à de grands bateaux, et les résultats sont toujours aussi remarquables. Budget : niveau de prix élevé. Durabilité : excellente. Tenue de la forme de la voile : très bonne, approchant l'excellence. Poids : moyen (plus léger que l'Ultra X, mais il faut beaucoup de fibres pour le long terme). Et maintenant… en 3D! Nous avons récemment établi une ligne complète de produits 3Di fabriqués pour les bateaux de croisière sous le nom de OCEAN. Un élément clé de cette ligne a été l'introduction d'un nouveau type de ""matériau"" 3Di appelé 3Di OCEAN 370. Examinons un peu plus en détail ce qui fait que le 3Di OCEAN convient parfaitement à la croisière. Tout d'abord, si vous ne comprenez pas bien les différences entre les voiles 3Di et les voiles en panneaux, jetez un coup d'œil à notre page sur les matériaux pour plus d'informations. Le 3Di représente un changement de technologie dans la fabrication des voiles. Il s'agit d'une méthode de production révolutionnaire et donc plus coûteuse. Pour les croisiéristes, cette complexité présente des avantages évidents : une meilleure tenue des formes pour des voiles plus légères, tout en améliorant la durabilité. Tous les navigateurs de croisière doivent-ils pour autant oublier les voiles à panneaux, étant donné la supériorité technique du 3Di ? Non. Les voiles à panneaux restent un choix viable pour toutes les raisons mentionnées ci-dessus et, en fonction de vos priorités et de votre budget, restent une bonne option pour de nombreux navigateurs. 3Di OCEAN 330 "Conservez les avantages du NORDAC décrits ci-dessus et améliorez-les grâce à la technologie 3Di - c'est OCEAN 330. Appelé à l'origine 3Di NORDAC, OCEAN 330 tire le meilleur parti de la fibre polyester dans les voiles de près. Budget : prix moyen selon les normes des voiles ""dacron"", bas selon les normes 3Di. Durabilité : excellente. Tenue de la forme de la voile : bonne (très bonne, sinon excellente, selon les normes des voiles en polyester tissé). Poids : moyen. 3Di OCEAN 370 OCEAN 370 associe l'UltraPE au polyester, ce qui augmente considérablement la résistance tout en améliorant les performances à l'élongation. Lorsque les charges dans les voiles sont élevées ou si les voiles sont destinées à une utilisation intensive il n'y a pas d'autre alternative que l'Ocean 370. L'OCEAN 370 va là où l'OCEAN 330 n'est pas viable - elle le fait de manière rentable, tout en équilibrant performance de navigation et durée de vie prolongée. Budget : moyen. Durabilité : excellente. Tenue de la forme de la voile : très bonne par rapport aux voiles de croisière directement concurrentes. Poids : moyen. 3Di OCEAN 700 OCEAN 700 est une solution de croisière performante idéale pour les grands bateaux dotés de voiles très sollicitées. L'UltraPE est le principal type de filament/fibre, l'aramide étant judicieusement introduit dans les zones de charge maximale de la voile. Robuste, peu extensible et conçu pour offrir de nombreuses années de navigation, OCEAN 700 est la référence en matière de croisière pour les bateaux de taille moyenne et les superyachts. Budget : moyen. Durabilité : excellente. Tenue de la forme des voiles : très bonne. Poids : moyen. Cela décrit notre gamme complète de voiles de croisière. Votre équipe North Sails ont l'expertise nécessaire pour vous guider vers la voile qui vous convient le mieux au sein de cette large gamme. Si vos plans incluent une part de course en plus de la croisière, les voiles de la série 3Di ENDURANCE se situent dans l'enveloppe de performance forme/poids de voile que les coureurs exigent. Restez à l'écoute pour une mise à jour sur les meilleurs choix de matériaux pour les voiles de vent arrière/de portée, que ce soit en croisière ou en course. READ MORE

Bring Your Best Game to the J/70 North American Championship We are excited to get back out racing again, and we wanted to reshare some of our favorite articles and webinars before you head to Annapolis for the J/70 North American Championship. This Tool Kit covers all the bases, including tips on boat speed in light air, how to make the most of our on-the-water coaching, and our updated J/70 Tuning Guide. On-the-Water Coaching for Everyone North Sails J/70 Class Expert Eric Doyle will be available on the North coach boat from Tuesday-Thursday offering tips on fine-tuning your sails. Contact Eric in advance to let him know you would like your sails checked. Contact Eric Rewind and Rewatch While we were unable to go sailing, the North Sails team switched their motto to “Let’s Get Faster” and produced a number of J/70-specific webinars that are filled with invaluable information from the top sailors in the class. Don’t leave the docks before watching them all! Downwind Techniques Downwind Boat Handling Mainsail Trim Lessons Learned in Miami Have You Read our New Tuning Guide? With the introduction of the new XCS-4 Mainsail and J-2+ Jib to our J/70 sail designs, our Class Experts have revised the North Sails Tuning Guide. Countless hours of sailing, testing, and competing in the J/70 fleet have gone into this revised editions which is a must-read before the North Americans. Learn More Bitesize Tips for Light Air Read our easy-to-follow tips on rig tuning, sail trim, and boat trim to help you sail your J/70 faster when the breeze is light. Learn More Optimize Your Downwind Performance Displacement mode, wing-on-wing, or full plane? Understanding the J/70’s different downwind modes will help you make the right move at the right time when racing. Learn More Why is Headstay Sag Fast Upwind in Light Air? What is headstay sag and how can you use it to your advantage to maintain better speed in light-air conditions? One Design expert Tim Healy describes the risks and rewards. Learn More North Sails Certified Service Has You Covered The North Sails Annapolis Certified Service Team is ready for you with overnight sail service and repairs during the regatta. Call Ridgely Mackenzie to arrange a sail pick up on 443-995-7188. Contact Ridgley READ MORE

North 3Di has made some of the most prestigious wins in sailing possible. Why? Well, North 3Di is a sailmaking revolution that produces sails that are both high-performance and reliable. READ MORE

NORTH THISTLE DESIGNS FAST OUT OF THE BOX AT BOTTOMS-UP REGATTA Congratulations Mark Gise & Craig Asher Mark’s brand new set of North Sails, fast out of the box. The 2021 Bottoms Up Regatta was held this past weekend at Jordan Lake in North Carolina near Raleigh/Chapel Hill. It was a one-day event and with the forecast calling for rain and cool temps, only a few decided to sail. Ten of the total thirteen teams were powered by North Sails. Mark Gise took the honors using his brand new set of Norths. We caught up with Mark to learn about his victory: After not sailing for over a year, how did you feel getting back in the Thistle? The last time I skippered the Thistle was at the Old Salty in October 2019. I sent the boat to Alex Varnegas at Beacon Composites to have it repainted and the bright work refinished. I was excited to get the boat put back together and see what she would do. I had never sailed with my crew, Craig Asher, so we weren’t doing a good job with our tacks and jibes. I had to pick myself up out of the bottom of the boat more than once after a tack. I blame it on the rain and old sailing boots. I have a few bruises to show for it. You became a first-time North Sails customer recently. What was the deciding factor that made you switch to North Sails? I’ve had an opportunity to sail with Paul Abdullah and others who use North sails, so I have known what they can do. Honestly, it was the people that made me decide to switch to North. Paul, Scott Griffin, Brad Russell, and others have helped me over the years even though I didn’t use the same brand of sails. Brad was willing to go out on a motorboat and give me some pointers while using a competitor’s sails. Paul and Scott have let me crew with them and take the helm at times to check out the sails. They have always been there to answer questions or discuss rigging. You showed great speed out of the box with your new Fisher mainsail and DSD jib. How easy was finding speed and pointing for your first time using the sails? I used the tuning guide and set up the rigging in my front yard. I usually sail light, so I set the diamonds on the looser side. The mast is raked at 27′ 0″ and the forestay is at 24.5 on the loose pro gauge. I have a little more prebend than what the tuning guide calls for but it didn’t seem to hurt my speed. Probably because we were light. The conditions were on the light side but we had good speed and pointed well. Being that it was light and raining, it wasn’t the best conditions to test the new sails but I was very pleased with our speed and pointing. What regattas will you be attending in the near future? I will be going to the Dixie Regatta and will have to take a look at the schedule to see what events are coming up prior to the Nationals. Add North power to your Thistle program. Contact our experts today. SHOP THISTLE SAILS READ MORE

The Yachting Cup, San Diego's premier inshore regatta of the season kicks off this weekend with two great days of racing for one design and PHRF classes. Read our tips on steering off-wind, perfecting your symmetrical jibes, choosing the right kite, and more. Don’t forget to join your local North Sails team for the Yachting Cup Webinar on April 29th for local knowledge tips, a quick weather outlook, performance and trim solutions, and a preview of what to expect this weekend. Sail fast and have fun! Coordinating Commands Steering off the wind, on reaches and runs, requires a coordinated effort between helmsman, spinnaker trimmer, and tactician. Together you can coordinate efforts to take advantage of changes in conditions. LEARN MORE Tips for Jibing the Pole No matter how big your boat and crew, the key to perfect jibes is a lot of practice. There are two basic symmetrical jibing techniques, but regardless of method, practice is a key ingredient to develop the coordinated effort that lies behind any smooth jibe. LEARN MORE When You Know, You Know... No matter where you are in the world, you can prepare for your next event or be ready for when sailing season picks up again by knowing what to look for when it comes to a healthy spinnaker. LEARN MORE Tips for All Weekend Warriors Sail experts Tom Castiglione and Jack Orr based in Milford, Connecticut hosted a PHRF Spring Refresher webinar that will help any weeknight racer/ weekend warrior up-their game for the next series. Here are some take aways from the webinar that apply to any club racer. LEARN MORE Asymmetric vs. Symmetric When it comes to downwind sails, there are an array of choices for today’s sailor. So how do you decide what would be right for your boat and crew? The first step is to understand the difference. North Sails expert Brian Janney explains why choosing a spinnaker means first understanding your own sailing style. LEARN MORE North Sails Certified Service Sail Repair Your local team is looking forward to seeing you at the event this weekend. Each day we'll be onsite after racing to pick-up sails for overnight repair. Give us a call at 619-204-7772 and let us know you are coming. Our Certified Service experts will be ready to assist you. CALL FOR REPAIR READ MORE

You can imagine the future or you can be a part of it. We choose to be a part of it– and lead it. When he started North Sails, Lowell North’s philosophy was simple…get the best people and commit yourself to to the best product. READ MORE

Započela je nova era jedrenja u Hrvatskoj Jedriličarski klub Briva u Biogradu je organizirao prvu regatu klase Melges 24 u Hrvatskoj, a ono što je najsjajniji dio ovog eventa je to što je točno 90% posada bilo pod Hrvatskom zastavom! S obzirom da su postotci relativna stvar treba precizirati da je konkretno riječ o 9 jedrilica u floti od njih 10. Taj broj nije pravi pokazatelj stanja ove klase u Hrvatskoj, jer nekoliko jedrilica nije sudjelovalo, što zbog problema s Koronom, a što zbog nedovršenosti jedrila koje su još uvijek u fazi refita i pripreme za regatne izazove na Jadranu. S druge strane, pozitivna atmosfera oko ove regate, a i sam entuzijazam svih uključenih u rad klase, djeluju vrlo zarazno na ostale jedriličare, tako da je u najavi dolazak još nekoliko ovih atraktivnih jedrilica. Ako se ostvare sve najave iduće sezone bi mogli imati flotu od oko dvadesetak ovih malenih Melgesa. S obzirom na stanje monotip jedrenja u Hrvatskoj ovo je izniman iskorak i stvarno je potrebno pružiti apsolutnu podršku svim uključenima u ovaj vrlo važan događaj u hrvatskom jedrenju. Što se tiče same regate u Biogradu, slobodno se može reći da se nije moglo izabrati bolje mjesto za početak. Izvrsna logistička podrška Šangulin grupe i JK Briva-e, obavila je sve radnje na moru i po pitanju prihvata i pripreme jedrilica vrlo kvalitetno, brzo i efikasno. Jedino je šteta što se zbog epidemioloških mjera još uvijek ne mogu organizirati zajednička druženja nakon jedrenja, ali doći će i taj dan... Također, akvatorij ispred Biograda omogućio je vrlo lijepo jedrenje po relativno zahtjevnim uvjetima koji su uključivali kako praćenje refula i driceva, tako i poznavanje jedrenja po kurentu. Jedriličari su se u Biogradu okupljali od petka. Dolazak na regatu dan ranije nužan je zbog toga što svaku jedrilicu dizalicom treba spustiti u more, treba se podignuti jarbol i pripremiti sve što je potrebno da bi se moglo kompetitivno jedriti, te naravno, možda i na nekom kraćem treningu isprobati da li je sve na svom mjestu. S obzirom da je ovo bio prvi službeni susret svih uključenih u rad klase, vrijeme je iskorišteno i za usklađivanje jedrilica s pravilima klase, kompletiranja opreme itd. Službeni program regate predvidio je šest jedrenja, po tri svakog dana, a uvjeti na moru su bili takvi da se jedrilo na istom mjestu i u subotu i u nedjelju. Jedina razlika bila je u snazi i stabilnosti vjetra. U subotu je puhala bura između 10 i 20 čvorova. Ponašala se standardno nestabilno, tako da bi u jednoj orci bila bolja jedna strana, a u drugoj druga, pa je stvarno trebalo biti koncentriran u praćenju stanja, jednako kao i u izboru strane za prelazak kurenta koji je konstanta u kanalu ispred Biograda. Ovog puta kurenat je dolazio s juga, a kako se pokazalo, najčešće je zonu njegovog utjecaja (s obzirom na kombinaciju s vjetrom) trebalo prelaziti bliže Biogradu. Kako je vjetar jačao već tijekom prvog plova, RO je produljio regatno polje i donio odluku da se drugi i treći plov jedre s tri kruga. To je značilo 50% više posla za posade u pogledu broja podizanja i spuštanja genakera, ali srećom riječ je o ipak manjim kvadraturama nego kod krstaša kakve smo naučili viđati na našim regatama. S obzirom na snagu vjetra ovog puta je bilo značajno da je masa posade maksimalna dopuštena. Naravno i uigranost je bila vrlo važna, a to se najbolje moglo vidjeti prilikom izvršavanja manovri posada koje su provele više vremena na treningu. Po tom pitanju definitivno je u značajnoj prednosti bila vrlo iskusna Ukrajinska posada koja je na kraju završila na drugom mjestu. Suprotno je bilo u nedjelju. Lagana burica koja je puhala na startu 4. plova puhala je uglavnom do desetak čvorova, da bi na kraju, posljednji plov morao biti skraćen prilikom drugog prilaska oznaci offseta. Ono što također treba istaknuti je da na regati nije bilo nikakvih ozbiljnijih šteta ni ozljeda. Sve posade bile su sastavljene od vrlo iskusnih pojedinaca kojima jedino nedostaje zajedničkih treninga da bi sve aktivnosti optimizirali i još bolje upoznali svoje jedrilice. Jedini problem koji je u stvari bio razlogom jedina dva DNF-a na regati je pucanje podigača na Palmini. Ali to je nakon povratka s mora riješeno i u nedjelju je i ova posada mogla nastaviti s normalnim jedrenjem. Na kraju regate zlatne medalje i naslov najboljih odnijela je domaća posada iz Biograda, ujedno i organizatori ove regate, na jedrilici simpatičnog imena - Panjić: Početkom ove godine kad smo slagali jedriličarske planove i kalendar za 2021. sa X-CITE-om i našim novim brodom LUCKY (ClubSwan 36), kojeg još nismo ni zavezli kako treba, nismo puno ni znali o projektu Melges 24 u Hrvatskoj, ali zahvaljujući Filipu Jurišiću Gaši koji nas je "zarazija" i Matiji Longinu koji nas je još malo "potaka" na kupnju istog, uplovili smo potpuno iznenada u projekt Melges 24. Zahvaljujući Thomasu Becku kupili smo jako dobar, brz i očuvan brod i projekt je počeo. Trebalo mu je ime... PAN(j)IC. Panic jer je svima koji jedre oko nas panika ? i Panjić jer je barem jedan na našem brodu uvijek PANJ?. Gro posade je posada i prijatelji s X-CITE-a i LUCKY-a, a da na Panjić-u budemo što manje "panji" brine se naš trener i taktičar Tomislav Bašić koji nam se pridružio u ovom projektu koliko mu to obveze dopuštaju. Uz Tomu na ovoj regati su jedrili Tonko Rameša, Duje Fržop i moj Noa, koji nam se sa svojom kilažom idealno uklopio. Ovaj put je nastupila ova ekipa a već sljedeću regatu možda i neki drugi član sa X-cite-a zamjeni nekog zbog poslovnih obveza. Trenirali smo u ovih mjesec dana što smo više mogli i koliko su nam obveze dopuštale, vježbali sami sa sobom s obzirom da drugog broda u blizini nije bilo. Pred regatu nismo imali nikakva očekivanja, osim idemo se boriti i vidjeti gdje smo sa drugima koji već puno duže jedre u ovakvom brodu. Regata koja je prošla izvrsno, puno bolje od očekivanog, ali nećemo se zanijeti uspjehom, pred nama je još mnogo rada i prostora za poboljšanje. Hvala glavnom panju Šimi Markiću na pomoći oko pripreme broda, postaje pravi boat captain, ali i na svim obvezama vezano za regatu i logistiku. Hvala mom klubu JK Briva Biograd i svim volonterima na pomoći u organizaciji ove regate: Petar & Lucijan Jakovljev, Perica Zalović, Marko Peričić, Luka & Donat Jakovčev, Marin Golem, Marin Kustić, Franjo Jurić, Bili... Posebno hvala Angelini @angelinayachtcharter te Marini Šangulin @sangulingroup na sponzorstvu i domaćinstvu, te Jakovu Šokoti na "ustupanju". Luka Šangulin, Panjić - JK Briva Uz posadu Panjića, s nagradama su iz Biograda doma otišli i Ukrajinci kao srebrena posada, te posada jedrilice Strilica kao trećeplasirani. Kompletne rezultate regate možete pronaći na ovom linku, dok u nastavku članka možete pronaći playbackove svih jedrenja. P L A Y B A C K - 1. PLOV P L A Y B A C K - 2. PLOV P L A Y B A C K - 3. PLOV P L A Y B A C K - 4. PLOV P L A Y B A C K - 5. PLOV P L A Y B A C K - 6. PLOV Dva video uratka snimljena na ovoj regati možete pronaći u video galeriji, a uskoro će biti objavljene i fotogalerije. Iduća regata iz Melges 24 Croatian Sailing Series u kalendaru je rezervirala vikend od 7. do 9. svibnja. Domaćini će biti članovi YC Croatia: READ MORE

THE KEY TO UPWIND PERFORMANCE Dynamic Tuning with North Expert Charlie Cumbley & Cyclops Marine With the help of smarttune load sensors from Cyclops Marine, North Sails One Design Expert, and J/70 World Champion Charlie Cumbley explains how the dynamic balance of upwind performance hinges on forestay load. Click here to learn more about how smarttune can boost your performance, or inquire at info@cyclopsmarine.com. Find your local North Sails expert for any sail-related inquiries or questions. FIND YOUR LOCAL EXPERT READ MORE

NY LANSERAR NORTH SAILS EN HELT NY PRODUKTLINJE Men den här gången handlar det om sjökläder Den här nyheten kännetecknas som vanligt av innovativ design, unika specialutvecklade material, och den är resultatet av en lång forskningsbaserad utvecklingsprocess. Att vara rätt klädd ombord handlar inte bara om bekvämlighet eller välmående i största allmänhet. Om du är blöt, för kall eller för varm, eller har kläder som begränsar din rörlighet så går det även ut över prestandan. Och att höja prestandan och öka seglingsglädjen är ju en helt central punkt i vår verksamhet. Därför känns det faktiskt som ett naturligt steg att ta fram en helt ny serie sjökläder. När North Sails för drygt två år sedan bestämde sig för att utveckla egna sjökläder var det självklart att göra det "The North Sails Way". Det vill säga grundligt och metodiskt och med den vetenskapliga approach som präglat företaget ända sedan Lowell Norths tid. Nigel Musto, kappseglare med mästerskapsmeriter på internationell nivå och en av världens mest erfarna designers av sjökläder, utsågs till att leda projektet. Gore-Tex kom in i bilden redan från dag ett. Det var en förutsättning för att att projektet ens skulle bli av. Nästa steg var att börja samla in synpunkter på dagens seglarkläder och idéer på vad som borde förbättras. Bara inom North Sails finns hundratals extremt erfarna seglare som tillsammans torde ha testat allt som finns på marknaden. Men frågan gick även ut till professionella seglare som ju använder seglarkläder dagligdags. Gensvaret var översvallande, och det svåra var faktiskt att sovra i materialet och välja ut de områden med störst utvecklingspotential. Den fortsatta processen var i princip identisk med hur vi utvecklar nya segel: Research, innovation och design, testning och utvärdering av prototyper. Om och om igen. Testning i skarpt läge har pågått länge. North Sails segeldesigner Dick Parker hade exempelvis ett testställ på sig när han var med om att vinna Sydney Hobart Race 2019. Och den franske Volvo Ocean Race-vinnaren och numera IMOCA-seglaren Kévin Escoffier var utrustad med ett annat både inför och under senaste Vendée Globe. Själva racet gick som kanske bekant inte som han tänkts sig – båten bröts sönder och sjönk under hans fötter och han fick tillbringa nästan tolv timmar i sin livflotte innan han räddades av medtävlaren Jean Le Cam. Man kan väl säga att sjökläderna fick utstå ett ännu hårdare test än vad någon hade kunnat föreställa sig. Och nu är det äntligen dags för lansering av ett komplett sortiment av sjökläder. Utvecklade av seglare för seglare. Lättare, smidigare och bekvämare. Det bästa som kan köpas för pengar, punkt slut. Annars hade vi inte satt vårt namn på dem. North Sails sjökläder säljs av utvalda återförsäljare, som Happy Yachting och Captains. READ MORE

SNART ÄR NYA Z30+ FÄRDIG! Det byggs ovanligt många spännande båtar i Sverige just nu. En av dem är Z30+ som lär bli något utöver det vanliga. North Sails har varit delaktiga i projektet i över ett år och bidragit med mer än bara nya segel. På Vaxholm Komposit håller man just nu på att färdigställa det första exemplaret av Z30+. Initiativtagare till projektet är stockholmsseglaren och industridesignern Johan Larsvall, och tekniskt ansvarig för utvecklingen av båten är Jimmy Hellberg, välkänd kappseglare, innovativ tekniker och numera även båtkonstruktör. Utvecklingsprocessen har varit minst sagt grundlig. Förutom Johan och Jimmy har en rad personer med expertkunskap inom olika områden varit djupt involverade i princip sedan idéstadiet. Anders och Tore Lewander på North Sails Lidingö är några av dem. Ett unikt koncept Projektet har en ganska lång förhistoria. Det började på 90-talet med att Johan ritade och lät bygga en innovativ one-off-båt som han döpte till Puh. Det var ett vackert bygge i kallbakad fanér, mest uppseendeväckande var nog det jolleliknande skrovet, fällkölen, de dubbla rodren och storseglet med dess enorma akterrunda. "Fast", säger Johan med ett uns av vemod i rösten, "det folk minns mest verkar vara att den hade en styrspak och att sittbrunnsdurken även fungerade som jolle." I början av 00-talet utvecklade Johan med hjälp av Danish Marine Design en liknande båt avsedd för serieproduktion. Den hette Z31 och fick ett gott mottagande men kom ändå bara att byggas i en handfull exemplar. Den var kanske lite väl långt före sin tid. Så nu är det tredje gången gillt för Johan. Nya z30+ byggs delvis i Z31:ans gamla formar. Skrovet är dock grundligt modifierat och allt annat på båten är helt nyutvecklat. Konceptmässigt måste Z30+ betraktas som en helt ny konstruktion. Den har dessutom en del egenskaper som gör den tämligen unik på marknaden, även i ett internationellt perspektiv. Z30+ lär få hårresande prestanda. En förutsättning för detta är just att man har utgått från befintliga formar. På så sätt har man nämligen kunnat kapa utvecklingskostnaderna med någon miljon och pengarna har istället lagts på – kolfiber. I princip allt på Z30+ är byggt i kolfiber. Det sparar massor av vikt och allt har lagts i bulben, nästan två meter under vattenlinjen. Resultatet är ett helt enastående rätande moment. Som jämförelse kan nämnas att Z30+ har nästan exakt samma segelyta och rätande moment som J-boats "shorthand-speedster" J/99. Skillnaden är att Z30+ är nästan ett ton lättare. Det här ger Z30+ väldigt speciella egenskaper: Båten är så lätt att den planar och samtidigt så styv att den kan seglas effektivt även av en liten besättning. Det gör den perfekt för shorthand-kappsegling – och lika perfekt för ren nöjessegling. Båten är dessutom så rymlig att den faktiskt kan funka även för semestersegling. "Cruisingbåtar som man kan kappsegla finns det hur många som helst av", säger Johan. "Men det vi bygger nu är en ren racer som går att använda även för cruising". Och trots att det alltså är en kolfiberbåt är tanken att den ska kunna säljas till ett pris som matchar liknande båtar byggda i glasfiber. Ett kvalificerat grupparbete Idén till båten och det övergripande konceptet kommer helt och hållet från Johan och Jimmy. Men modern båtkonstruktion är en komplex uppgift som kräver bred kompetens. Redan för ett drygt år sedan bildades därför en utvecklingsgrupp som förutom Johan och Jimmy bestod av Anders Axelsson och Per Wretlind från Seldén, Martin Gradman från Happy Yachting, Ulf Brännström och Stefan Törnblom från Vaxholm Komposit och Anders och Tore Lewander från North Sails Lidingö. Även båt- och flygplanskonstruktören Kåre Ljung har varit delaktig, med ansvar för undervattensprofilerna. Alla inblandade hade förstås sina egna givna ansvarsområden, men ett viktigt syfte var också att vända på alla tänkbara stenar och få igång en övergripande dialog kring hur konceptet som sådant kunde utvecklas och förfinas. Det som låg på bordet när gruppen samlades var i princip skrov, kölblad och segelplanets placering. Om vi börjar med skrovet så kan man förenklat säga att Z31:an har kapats ett par decimeter i fören och förlängts en knapp halvmeter i aktern. Båten blir därmed lite fylligare i förskeppet och får längre linjer i aktern. Samtidigt ökar överhänget bak, och för att få ner det i vattnet och maximera vattenlinjelängden har Jimmy flyttat kölen akterut, vilket innebär att även segelplanet kunnat flyttas bakåt. Resten var en ganska öppen fråga som gruppen tog sig an med liv och lust. De träffades inledningsvis på Johans kontor och sedermera på digitala plattformar (detta var ju när coronan tagit fart). Ordet var fritt, det var högt i tak och det färdiga konceptet växte fram stegvis i en sökande process. När diskussionen kring konceptet, båtens användningsområden, dess tänkta målgrupper och mycket annat fördjupades började ett nyckelord skönjas: Enkelhet! Z30+, kom man fram till, skulle vara optimalt enkelt utrustad. Det sparar både pengar (som kan läggas på kolfiber) och vikt (som kan läggas i bulben). Båten skulle också vara maximalt enkel att äga och segla. Det här kom att genomsyra hela processen. Varje liten tänkbar detalj ombord har ifrågasatts: Gör det verkligen seglingen enklare och roligare? Kan det finnas något enklare, lättare eller billigare alternativ? Det här innebar att en hel del, i och för sig intressanta detaljer och lösningar, försvann under resans gång. I ett tidigt skede tag var exempelvis dubbla roder och fathead-storsegel på tapeten, men de ritningarna hamnade nu i papperskorgen. Inte för att det generellt sett är dåligt. Men dubbla roder är en kostsam och komplex konstruktion. Jimmy, som själv har en båt med dubbla roder, påpekar att de dessutom är svåra att ställa in: "Rodervinklarna behöver justeras om så fort farten, avdriften eller krängningsvinkeln förändras, annars sjunker prestandan märkbart." Och fathead-storsegel kräver oftast backstag eller dubbla akterstag, vilket krånglar till det för en liten besättning. Faktum är att båten inte ens har någon traditionell inredning. En sådan skulle väga åtminstone ett par hundra kilo, och den vikten gör ju större nytta i bulben. Däremot finns det en innerline som skapar strukturell styrka och en bas för fem ordentliga kojplatser För den som tycker det låter trist att semestersegla i en helt tom båt kan man addera speciellt utvecklade inredningsmoduler som kan tas ur med några enkla handgrepp. En smart lösning signerad industridesignern Johan Larsvall. Inga kompromisser Enklare båt än Z30+ finns knappt. Men det som finns har förfinats så långt modern teknologi medger och allt byggs i absolut bästa tänkbara material. Här har det inte funnits utrymme för några som helst kompromisser. Ta en titt på rodret. Det är djupt och smalt och sitter så långt fram att det inte lär ventileras i första taget. Både roder och kölblad är byggda i kolfiber och levereras färdigoptimerade för racing, med profiler utvecklats av Kåre Ljung, Sveriges kanske ledande auktoritet på området. Anders Axelsson och Per Wretlind på Seldén har lagt ner ett enormt ambitiöst arbete på att skapa en så lätt mast som möjligt. Några standardrör från Seldéns lagerhylla var det aldrig tal om. De har istället tagit fram en unik laminatplan och har på så sätt lyckats få ner mastvikten till 34 kilo. Den byggs för övrigt med CNC-styrd produktionsteknik för hundra procents repeterbarhet. Det garanterar att alla master till Z30+ kommer bli identiska. Martin Gadman på Happy Yachting, som har haft ansvar för däckslayout och löpande rigg, har räknat på dimensioneringen av fall och däcksbeslag, vilket sparat ytterligare kilon. Ulf Brännström och Stefan Törnblom på Waxholm Komposit har bidragit med sin expertis kring det strukturella och sett till att ingenting väger mer – men heller inte mindre – än nödvändigt. Och så har vi då seglen, som Anders och Tore Lewander varit ansvariga för. Maximal enkelhet och en kompromisslös inställning kring design och material gällde förstås även här. En enkel men effektiv segelgarderob Segelgarderoben är utvecklad med sikte på shorthand-segling och består faktiskt bara av fyra segel: storsegel, fock och två gennakers. Storseglet är egentligen inte mycket att säga om – det är ett traditionellt pinheadsegel med två rev. Focken är designad med en rund framkant som gör det enkelt att styra och en rak, platt bakdel som möjliggör extremt smala skotvinklar (ner mot ca 6,5 grader). Det här genererar mycket höga skotkrafter, vilket tillsammans med det rätande momentet ställer oerhörda krav på seglens formstabilitet. 3Di är förstås det enda tänkbara, både storsegel och fock byggs i det vi kallar 3Di RAW 360. Focken har softhanks och är utrustat med ett rev. Den kan också användas som stagsegel under platta undanvindsseglet. För att förbättra flödet i spalten tar man då in ett rev i focken. Två undanvindssegel ingår i garderoben. Det ena är en stor A2-gennaker som hissas från masttoppen. Designen är länsbetonad, men för att vidga seglets register och minska behovet av segelbyten är det utrustat med en revhals som gör det möjligt att dra ihop förliket ungefär en halvmeter. Det möjliggör högre fallspänning, vilket rundar till förliket och öppnar upp akterliket. Fallhorn och halshorn har zippers för enklare hissning. För brantare vinklar finns en Code 70 som hissas på ett fractional-fall, en meter ovan förstagsinfästningen. Det är en typ av segel som används frekvent på bland annat engelska IRC-racers och som utvecklats mycket på senare år. Teknisk är det uppbyggt i tre olika typer av polyester, i Helix-design, med Future Fiber-kabel för top-down-furling som ger seglet ett bredare register. Resultatet är ett starkt segel som kan pressas hårt och som är effektivt upp till cirka 60 graders sann vindvinkel. Någon kanske undrar om det inte kliar i fingrarna att komplettera med fler segel. Svaret är… nja. Visst kan det finnas lägen då det skulle sitta fint, men Z30+ är extremt lättdriven och vi tror att den kommer vara konkurrenskraftig i de flesta förhållanden även med denna lilla garderob. Snart seglar hon Om tidsplanen håller är båten sjösatt och klar till sommaren. Tanken är att North Sails ska trimma in den färdiga båten och segla den på några av säsongens shorthand-kappseglingar. Anders Lewander har redan paxat en plats ombord. "Det har varit väldigt kul att få vara med och bidra till utvecklingen", säger han, "och jag ser fram emot att få segla den. Det är ju verkligen en speciell båt." READ MORE

AMBITIÖS KAPPSEGLING KRÄVER BRA SEGEL Men hur hittar man rätt bland alla tänkbara alternativ? 📸 Jonas Dolk En modern prestandabåt kräver formstabila segel för att komma till sin rätt, och ska man kappsegla skruvas kraven upp ytterligare. Vill man dessutom ha slitstyrka och livslängd är 3Di-segel det självklara valet. Men vilken typ passar egentligen bäst? Det var frågan Johan Söderström ställde när han behövde nya segel till sin XP33:a. Svaret blev inte riktigt vad han förväntat sig. Johan har seglat sedan barnsben och har bred erfarenhet av sporten; i unga år jobbade han på segelmakeri och under studietiden på KTH extraknäckte han som charterskeppare på en Swan 65:a. För drygt tio år sedan återupptog han seglingen och skaffade sig en Dynamic 3000, den skulle med tiden bli ganska omtalad. Med Dynamicen fick han upp ögonen för shorthand-kappsegling. Båten var snabb och kul men också vek och känslig, därtill utrustad med en tunn rigg med raka spridare, backstag och checkstag. Kanske inte helt optimalt för shorthanded-segling. Men Johan har alltid varit intresserad av teknik, design och utveckling, och tog chansen att skapa något efter eget huvud. För att göra en lång historia kort slutade det med att båten i samråd med North Sails fick ett helt nytt segelplan. Röstjärnen flyttades ut i relingen och en ny mast med dubbla svepta spridare lyftes på plats. Johan hade nu en fockbåt med gennaker på peke som enda undanvindssegel. Båten var fortfarande vek och ett tag hade Johan allvarliga funderingar på att byta även kölen. Men han besinnade sig och började istället se sig om efter en annan båt. Hösten 2018 fick han nys om en fin XP33:a och slog till direkt. Det visade sig vara just den båt som North Sails Martin Angsell och Anna Drougge hade kört shorthanded med några år tidigare. Den var därför väl utrustad för ändamålet, men seglen var slitna. Så inför säsongen 202o var det dags för ett nytt besök på Lidingöloftet och ett möte med Martin Angsell, som ju kunde ett och annat om shorthand-segling i XP33. 📸 Jonas Dolk Vilka 3Di-segel passar bäst? Johan förberedde sig ordentligt inför mötet. Han var "väl påläst" och hade nog en ganska klar bild av ungefär vad han skulle ha. Men han har ett öppet sinne och var nyfiken på hur resonemanget skulle gå. Johan skulle ju kappsegla, så kravet på hög formstabilitet fick bli utgångspunkten. Seglen måste klara de hårda skotkrafter som kappseglare utsätter sina segel för. De måste stå pall i en by. Och de får inte tappa formen efter bara några säsonger. 3Di-segel kom tidigt på tal. De kan byggas i en rad olika material, och alla har både sina fördelar och sina nackdelar. Ett 3Di RAW-segel i kolfiber skulle exempelvis ge Johan marknadens lättaste och stummaste segel. Men det skulle gå ut över hållbarheten och dra iväg prismässigt. Dessutom, resonerade Martin, är de krafter som en så liten båt genererar ganska små och kan hanteras även med mindre avancerade lösningar. Så det Martin föreslog var det vi kallar 3Di 330 OCEAN. Va? Det var inte vad Johan hade förväntat sig. 3Di 330? Vita segel? Tillverkade i polyester, utan ett uns kolfiber eller ens kevlar? Han skulle ju kappsegla, och här sitter Martin och föreslår segel utvecklade för cruising. Borde han inte ha racingsegel? En intressant och givande diskussion följde. "Ser du mig som en cruisingseglare?", frågade han Martin. Nej, det gjorde inte Martin. Men han visste att när North Sails i officiella sammanhang pratar om racing så är det kappsegling på absolut högsta internationella nivå som avses. Och där var inte Johan. Inte så värst många andra svenska seglare heller om man ska vara krass. Men framför allt visste Martin hur mycket prestanda de där seglen faktiskt levererar. Han visste att formstabiliteten är på ungefär samma nivå som ett bra membransegel, utvecklat för racing, från vilken som helst av våra branschkolleger. Dessutom är polyesterfibern snudd på outtröttlig, vilket ger en slitstyrka och en mekanisk livslängd som är helt oslagbar, särskilt jämfört med andra typer av prestandasegel. Man får gå till dacron för att hitta något liknande. Och sådant är ju viktigt även för en ambitiös kappseglare, allra helst om man seglar shorthanded. En unik tillverkningsmetod Det finns en bild av att seglen man kappseglar med ska vara svarta eller möjligen grå, inte gräddvita. Många förknippar nog också polyester med dacron, och det är kanske det som gör att tanken på prestandasegel i detta material inledningsvis kan kännas ovan även för en så tekniskt initierad person som Johan. Men att jämföra 3Di 330 med dacron blir bara löjligt. Skillnaden i formstabilitet är oerhört stor. Jämförelsen med membransegel är betydligt mer relevant. Det är möjligt att vän av ordning nu frågar sig hur det kan vara möjligt att ett segel i polyester – ett low-tech-material – kan matcha ett membransegel i high-tech-material som aramid eller kolfiber. Det låter ju som en retoriskt fråga, och vill man svara med samma mynt kan man säga att det beror på att ett membransegel är en low-tech-produkt, baserad på en snart 30 år gammal teknologi – medan ett 3Di 330-segel är en high-tech-produkt, tillverkat med hjälp av en banbrytande teknologi som bara vi på North Sails har tillgång till. Väl beprövad, för övrigt, efter tio år på marknaden, och i ständig utveckling ända sedan starten. Ett 3Di-segel är en kompositkonstruktion, och det byggs på i princip samma sätt som en kolfibermast eller ett båtskrov: Riktad fiber mättad med harts läggs upp på en tredimensionell gjutform. Det härdar under tryck och värme och när det härdat färdigt har de två komponenterna gjutits samman till ett enda homogent material. Resultatet är ett segel med nästan dubbelt så mycket kraftupptagande fiber som ett membransegel med samma vikt. Eftersom det inte innehåller någon mylar kan det inte delaminera och det har en helt överlägsen motståndskraft mot slitage. Det gör att både prestandalivslängden och den totala livslängden ökar dramatiskt. 3Di 330-segel är ett utmärkt val för en kappseglare som Johan – och många med honom. Inte alla, måste sägas. Ska du göra en seriös satsning mot ORCi-VM har vi andra produkter som är bättre lämpade. Men 3Di 330 är perfekt för clubracing, shorthand-kappsegling och havskappseglingar som Gotland Runt. Sedan är det klart att det även storleksmässigt finns en gräns där segel i polyester inte längre räcker till. För kappsegling ligger den kring 40 fot. Men det är egentligen det rätande momentet som avgör, så ingenting är hugget i sten. Enkelt, okomplicerat och snabbt Det hela slutade med att Johan gick på Martins linje och beställde ett storsegel och en fock i 3Di 330-specifikation. Till detta hade Johan sedan tidigare en Jib 0 och två gennakers. En enkel garderob, med andra ord. Enkelhet – i betydelsen "okomplicerat" – är för övrigt ett genomgående tema. Focken har exempelvis softhanks i förliket och är alltså inte rullbar. Det innebär en sak mindre som kan krångla och möjliggör horisontella lattor. Resultatet blir ett rakare och mer öppet akterliket och att livslängden förlängs ytterligare. Focken har även ett inbyggt rev, och fungerar därmed även i höga vindstyrkor. Förra årets säsong blev ju lite rumphuggen, med många inställda kappseglingar. Men det har inte hindrat Johan från att segla. Båten har använts snart sagt varje vecka under hela säsongen. Helger som vardagskvällar. Ibland för att ta sig ut till något fint badställe. Ofta bara för att njuta av lite skön segling en fin kväll. Och de nya 3Di-seglen används i alla sammanhang. De är de enda han har. Och lite kappsegling blev det i alla fall under 2020. På Kolfiberrodret seglade Johan i par med Alexander Ekberg och placerade sig på en god sjuttondeplats av 143 startande i kölbåtsklassen. Farten var det inget fel på, och Johan känner nu att han har det som krävs för att få ut max av båten på kappsegling. Vilket i och för sig har sina sidor. För, som han säger: "Om det inte går som jag hoppas kan jag i alla fall inte skylla på seglen." 📸 Jonas Dolk READ MORE

LIGHTNING DESIGNS CONTINUE TO DOMINATE THE CIRCUIT Amazing Consistency at Winter Championship, Deep South and Southern Circuit Overall David Starck, Jenna Probst, Tom Starck, winners of the 2021 Winter Championship, Deep South and Southern Circuit Overall 📸 Courtesy St. Pete Yacht Club / Corey Hall For over 40 years the North Sails Lightning team has supported the Lightning Class and Lightning sailors by not only delivering designs that have dominated circuits all over the world but with a commitment to education, class volunteerism and client service that is second to none. After a year without much Lightning sailing, we saw great enthusiasm and excitement as the teams started showing up for the Winter Championship in St. Pete and Savannah Deep South. North experts Brian Hayes, Ched Proctor and Nick Turney were in attendance supporting the event and clients. The North Sails fast designs have, again, prevailed in both events and here are the numbers: Winter Championship David Starck showed amazing consistency in very tricky Tampa Bay conditions to win the 2021 Lightning Winter championship. Racking up consistent top-four finishes, and without winning a race, team Starck bested current Youth World Champion Jeff Hayden and his team by nine points. Nine races were completed over 4 days with 6 different teams winning a race. Team Hayden won 3 and teams using North won 8 of the 9 races. 22 of the 24 teams were powered by North. North-powered teams finished 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Jeff Hayden, Mateo Rodriguez and Hannah Sellers, second place at the Winter Championship 📸 Courtesy St. Pete Yacht Club / Corey Hall Savannah Deep South Regatta After the great warm-up in St. Pete, David Starck and his team did it again, finishing consistently in the top 5 in all of the 4 races in Savannah. Teams powered by North again dominated the event finishing 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. David, Jenna and Tom were crowned the 2021 Lightning Southern Circuit winners. Bill Faude, Ched Proctor (checking the shape of the mainsail) and Amy Simonsen 📸 Courtesy St. Pete Yacht Club / Corey Hall Tito Gonzalez, Diego Natho and Alberto Gonzalez Jr. sailed a great event in St Pete with two bullets 📸 Courtesy St. Pete Yacht Club / Corey Hall North Sails Nick Turney and Antonio Rojas concentrated on the race course. 📸 Courtesy St. Pete Yacht Club / Corey Hall Tanner Probst, Debbie Probst and Dominique Wright, 5th place in St. Pete. 📸 Courtesy St. Pete Yacht Club / Corey Hall READ MORE

THE ULTIMATE RACER-CRUISER Clients on Romanza are turning heads on the racetrack when they’re not cruising at high speed. 📸 SSANZ / Deb Williams Clients Dougall and Jaz Love are co-owners of the Rapido 60 Trimaran, Romanza, but their sailing backgrounds couldn’t be more different. While Dougall is more of a racer, Jaz is experienced in motor yachts and new to the sailing scene. Fortunately, Romanza provides both high-speed racing excitement and comfortable, easy cruising. And ever since their first trip around North Island in New Zealand, about 1,400nm, they are both completely hooked. The Engine above Deck Romanza is equipped with a full suite of North Sails 3Di upwind, two asymmetrical spinnakers, and a Code Zero. The entire downwind wardrobe runs on furlers for easy handling. Adding an A2 and recutting a smaller A2 into an A3 has significantly helped performance. Dougall explains that the upwind headsail is self-tacking, and maneuvers are more effortless with electric winches, halyard locks, and KZ furlers. “It’s a great setup—straightforward and also robust.” Romanza has a Southern Spars rotating wing mast, ECsix carbon rigging, and a full suit of 3Di upwind. Dougall especially loves the shape of their 3Di ENDURANCE mainsail and jib. “You can ‘trim and forget’ compared to traditional sails, and the shape is consistent. Sail shape is something North Sails does well, and I am constantly amazed at the loads they can handle, particularly upwind. Our righting moment is around 60 tonnes/meter, and the sails can be fully loaded but do not stretch or strain.” 3Di’s longevity is also quite important to them, Dougall continues. “We’ve customized our sails by adding batten retainers and UV protection, and I am amazed we’ve had no issues, as we have put our upwind wardrobe to the test.” Their ‘go to’ sail for both racing and cruising is the Code Zero. “Although it’s relatively large, it is also versatile. We can sheet it in like a genoa if we’re sailing upwind in the lighter conditions, we can sheet it halfway for closer reaching angles, and we can ease it out on a broad reach if we don’t feel like putting up an A-Sail.” The Code Zero is also ideal for building apparent wind, which the Rapido Tri’s are designed for. “Some of our trans-Tasman crossings, we’ve had 24-hour averages approaching 300 miles – not bad for a cruising boat.” Romanza has been using that speed on the local racecourse, too. “Andrew Wills and Ben Costello at North Sails Auckland have been accommodating and easy to work with,” says Dougall. “Having sails you can rely on, and expertise you can trust is a major ‘comfort zone’ factor for us.” Over time, the couple has learned to push the boat to higher speeds without sacrificing safety. Even cruising, they have been surprised by the high daily averages they can maintain and pleased by their ability to dodge bad weather when needed. “The speed comes from a great design and simple but sophisticated setup,” says Dougall. “She doesn’t take much to go fast, although our concept of ‘fast’ has changed significantly since our pre-Rapido days!” The Right Collaboration Triac Composites have been building Rapido 60s since 2015. Co-founder Richard Eyre says they looked to the North Technology Group (NTG) to provide a premium package for each model; Phil Johns, the company’s General Manager, agrees. “We want the best, and we knew that NTG would be the best fit for Rapido clients worldwide.” Richard explains why choosing North Sails as a partner was an easy decision: “You can guarantee nothing but the best. NTG supplies the very best racing and cruising sails with North Sails and a state-of-the-art rig with Southern Spars and Future Fibers rigging– it’s the obvious choice for our line of trimarans.” Phil adds that North Sails would be the standard premium option for all their clients in an ideal world. “No other sailmaker out there is as advanced technologically. The analysis of North Design Suite (the most powerful and diverse sail designing tool in the industry) for sailmaking is far ahead of the competition. It’s a known fact.” 📸 Rapido Trimarans Why choose a Rapido Trimaran? First on the couple’s list was to cruise the world on a boat that wasn’t constantly ‘leaning.’ Second was to be competitive when they felt like racing. So the boat had to be stable, but also fast. It also had enough space and amenities to live aboard comfortably, including adequate storage for both crew gear and boat equipment. “The space below the deck is perfect for us, plus two guests,” Jaz says. “Excellent for hosting, and all with a great view. We also love the galley.” She has already gained a lot of trust in their equipment—especially after living through gusts to 62 knots during their seven-week doublehanded Christmas cruise around North Island. “I feel our safety and comfort level has taken a stride since that experience. Nothing failed– and that included our confidence. The entire experience has been an eye-opener for me. With that, we are excited to reach into our well-stocked sail wardrobe closet and light Romanza up with the Code Zero.” The Rapido 60 is designed for shorthanded sailing, which was also one of the reasons they chose it. The helm station is covered and offers protection from weather which is great for overnight passages or wet conditions. “Reefing the main is simple,” says Dougall, “and the boat will still make way with haste.” All adjustments can be made from the comfort of the cockpit. One thing Dougall appreciates is the autopilot. “You tell it where you want to steer to, and it takes care of the rest. The displays are easy to read, so anyone on watch can make coffee and not worry about managing changes. It can’t get easier than that.” Racing Highlights So how is the Rapido performance on the race track? Romanza recently claimed victory in New Zealand’s 230nm Yates Cup. Dougall commented, “We were 30 miles from the finish line, challenging the record set by the 60′ Orma, Vodafone in 2014. Unfortunately, the wind died, so no record, but we still finished in just over 24 hours and celebrated a well-deserved win with Kiwi lamb shanks prepared by Jaz in the galley during the race.” Another major victory to highlight is when Romanza took line honours and overall corrected time in the 130nm Auckland Tauranga Centennial Race just last month, finishing in 10 hours, 42 minutes, and 46 seconds in PHRF. Their top competitor was a Volvo 65 (NZOR), which finished nearly six minutes behind them. “We put 15 minutes on the VO65 in 16-22 knots on the first 35-mile leg; it was amazing!” This video below is from the 2020 PIC Coastal Classic, where Romanza won the multihull division on corrected time and finished 5th line honours. Why the name Romanza? Take the boat tour with Dougall and Jaz to find out. Read more about Romanza’s racing successes here. READ MORE

The World's Leading Sailmaker Finds a New Home at Steelpointe Harbor North Sails is excited to announce that their Milford, Connecticut manufacturing, sales, and service loft is moving to Steelpointe Harbor in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The new loft brings several global departments under one roof and serving as the global headquarters for North Technology Group. This location puts North Sails at the heart of an exciting nautical destination that features the Bridgeport Harbor Marina, a 220-slip deepwater marina, waterside retail, and dining—all in a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood. The new loft at Steelpointe Harbor is one of seven North Sails-owned manufacturing lofts worldwide and is 35,000 square feet of purpose-built space. The North team has everything they need to construct and service a wide range of sails, from small dinghies to superyachts and coastal cruisers to Grand Prix racing machines. Ideally positioned on Long Island Sound, Local sailors will enjoy the easy access and customer-friendly sail pick-up and drop-off, as well as an extensive list of services; sail storage, washing, evaluations, measurement, new sail quotes, and more. The loft will also be an East Coast distribution hub for North Actionsports, the kiteboard and windsurf division of North Technology Group. "Our entire North Sails team is looking forward to opening our loft doors in Bridgeport," said North Technology Group Executive Chairman Tom Whidden. "We're excited to be a part of a growing waterfront community that has a strong marine industry heritage. Local and out-of-town cruisers and racers will benefit from having a new waterfront service loft on the East Coast. This is a great move for North Sails." Steelpointe Harbor developer Bob Christoph Jr. stated, “North Sails is the worldwide leader in sailmaking. I am thrilled to have them come to Steelpointe Harbor. This move will help the waterfront continue to grow as a destination for marine, retail, and dining activity.” Congressman Jim Himes added, “Steelpointe Harbor has been an area of exciting development in the city, and North Sails' decision to bring their operation here will only add to that momentum.” Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim shares, “I’m pleased to welcome North Sails to their new home in Bridgeport and bring their sail-making expertise to the marine industry that is being revitalized on our city harbor. North Sails will add to the city’s growing economy while providing visible activity on land, in the air, and in waters of our East Side – it’s exciting.” Local State Senator Dennis Bradley share, "North Sails coming to our city is great news for Bridgeport and the state as we begin our economic recovery." Since signing the lease, operations and sales teams have been working to optimize the new space for an enhanced customer experience. With unparalleled expertise, fresh working spaces, and convenience to the Bridgeport-Port Jefferson Ferry, this flagship loft builds on decades of experience to ensure our clients will have the best service and results possible. As longtime members of the Connecticut and Long Island sailing communities, the North Sails team is excited to welcome clients, both new and existing, to the space at Bridgeport Harbor Marina. READ MORE

VX ONE: ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE FLEETS AT CHARLESTON RACE WEEK Doug Clark’s Angry Baboon Wins Charleston Race Week in a Tiebreak After waiting two years since the last edition of Charleston Race Week, the VX One fleet was ready to leave it all on the water in the 2021 edition. Twenty-five teams from around the country arrived in Charleston for one of the most highly-anticipated events of the year. A 10-race series paired with great weather allowed for one of the tightest events the class has seen. Before the event got underway, North Sails’ Austin Powers, Mike Marshall, and Madeline Gill held a virtual happy hour for the fleet to review the winter series with tuning and sail trim takeaways, as well as preview CRW with a local knowledge briefing from John Bowden. The team previewed an update to the tuning guide which can be found below with the new adjusted turns found in red. A replay of the webinar can be found here. Day one was dominated by Tudo Bem with Reed Baldrige, Austin Powers, and Michelle Warner. Jack Jorgenson’s SDR and Doug Clark’s Angry Baboon followed 8 and 9 points behind, respectively. The moderate and shifty breeze paired with substantial current convergence between the Ashley and Cooper Rivers rewarded the teams who found the best balance of current relief and wind velocity. Other highlights of the day included team Send It with a bullet right out of the gates. Traditionally, day two is “moving day” at CRW and that is exactly what Chris Alexander’s team on Counterproductive did. With James Roe and Madeline Gill aboard, they were able to jump from outside the top five all of the way to a 6 point lead. Smart tactics amidst the tight racing in addition to superior boatspeed allowed them to find their way to top 3 finish positions in every race. Magic Bus came away with a race win in race 7, and Stan Stanton’s Zoo Crew took a bullet in race 8. Going into the final day of the event, Counterproductive held a 6 point lead with three teams looking for some magic on the final day. With more west in the wind than the previous two days, the right side of the course was king to stay in phase with the current. After a race one victory by Tudo Bem followed closely by the Angry Baboon and USA 275, it was all to play for going into the final race of the regatta with four teams within two points of each other for the regatta win. The final start was won by Angry Baboon and they never looked back. Getting to the right early and staying between the competition and the mark, they were able to take the race and the regatta in a tiebreaker with Counterproductive. Not only did they win the regatta, but due to the competitiveness of the fleet, they were also awarded boat of the week. Congratulations to Doug Clark, Rod Favela, and Emmi Triplett on the win; Chris Alexander, Madeline Gill, and James Roe in second; Michelle Warner, Reed Baldrige, and Austin Powers in third; and to all of the North Sails clients who competed. North Sails clients’ finished 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,and 10. Rod Favela receives “Boat of Week” trophy for Angry Baboon. Right: Second place, team Counterproductive Team Counterproductive READ MORE

NORTH CLIENTS SHINE AT CHARLESTON RACE WEEK Fast Designs Excel In Six Divisions and Boat of the Week Travis Weisleder’s Lucky Dog dominates the Melges 24 fleet. 📸 Pricilla Parker The 2021 edition of the Charleston Race Week was a great success for North Sails clients in one design and ORC. The overall vibe from sailors was excellent, and everyone was thrilled to be back on the water sailing after a year missed. Charleston didn’t disappoint, providing exciting and challenging racing conditions on the infamous Cooper River. Solid teamwork and talent could be seen across all courses, proving that this year is off to a positive start with a solid kick-off event to welcome the Spring sailing season in North America. In the Melges 24 class, Team Lucky Dog won the event with three bullets followed by Laura Grodin’s Dark Energy in second place. Melges 24s powered by North finished 1,2,4*,5,7,8,9,10. Laura Grodin’s Dark Energy, 2nd Place in the Melges 24 Fleet. 📸 Will Keyworth Doug Clark’s Angry Baboon, VX One Winner and Boat of the Week. After the postponement of the 2020 edition, the VX One fleet was ready to leave it all on the water. Twenty-five teams from around the country arrived in Charleston for one of the most highly-anticipated events of the year. A 10 race series paired with great weather allowed for one of the tightest events the class has seen. Congratulations to Doug Clark, Rod Favela, and Emmi Triplett on the win; Chris Alexander, Madeline Gill, and James Roe in second; Michelle Warner, Reed Baldrige, and Austin Powers in third; and to all of the North Sails clients who competed. North Sails clients finished 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,and 10 in the VX One Class. Team Stampede, winners in the J70 class. The competition in the J/70 class was no different. Twenty-seven teams arrived in Charleston ready to battle for the title, the largest J70 regatta since the beginning of the pandemic. Congratulations to Bruno Pasquinelli and team Stampede for sailing a brilliant 9-race series powered by North’s F-1 mainsail, J-2+ Jib and AP-1 Asymmetric. North clients finished 1,3,4,6,7,8, 9* in the J/70 class. In the J/22 class, North clients swept the podium with Justin DaMore’s team Yem winning the series. North Clients fueled by 3Di, Teamwork, Hooligan, and FogDog also took first place respectively in ORC A, ORC B, and ORC D divisions. ORC B winners Robin Team’s Teamwork. 📸 Will Keyworth READ MORE

I429 EARLY BIRD REGATTA First-Ever Event Hosted by Annapolis Sailing School Annapolis Sailing School played host to the first-ever i420 Early Bird Regatta, with 11 teams arriving from around the region to compete in this great one-design class. First off, this is one incredible venue; Annapolis Sailing School has a picture-perfect spot near Bembe Beach in Annapolis, and a killer beach launching site with tons of room and facilities. If you ever want to recommend sailing lessons to someone, put Annapolis SS on the top of your list! Also hosting was the new i420 team on the block the S1D Youth Sailing Team, and our very new and young players were very excited to have such great talent come and visit our new home! All competitors were greeted with gifts and goodies, including wick-dry technical shirts from North Sails and dry bags from Sail1Design, in lieu of trophies for the top finishers. Most all teams arrived early to practice on Friday, and wow, what a day! The temperatures soared to 80 degrees and beautiful sun, but so did the wind speed… up to 35 knots… and although several brave teams went out, they realized that the only sail training to be had was more survival than anything else. The forecast for Saturday was a bit grim all week… very light-to-no wind, so we all crossed fingers. Apparently, that works! Saturday dawned with another beautifully sunny day, and around 930, a southerly made its way down the Bay and locked in, and we had 6 epic races in sun and 6-14 knots. We never really had to move marks more than about 50 yards, and PRO Jamie Gilman (St. Mary’s Seahawk ’06) orchestrated absolutely flawless racing! Sunday’s forecast also became ominous, with the possibility of T-storms and gusty winds. Well, we didn’t get that exactly, but we did battle a fog bank that would have made Maine residents proud. Again the RC fearlessly set out to sail, herding the i420 sailors into an open area, and again, almost miraculously, the fog lifted and allowed for 2 more awesome 8-19 knot races before teams went in to pack up and head home. I hope all youth coaches and sailors consider the i420. This boat is an absolute blast to sail, and teaches so many great lessons about dinghy sailing, offering sailors almost unlimited improvement potential. It is not a difficult boat to sail at all, and there are a lot of uninformed misconceptions out there, including how expensive the boat is (it isn’t), and how technical it is (it isn’t), and how few events there are (there are a lot more than you think). It is, (just ask our countries best college coaches and youth coaches) the gold standard for youth sailing training, and that’s why it is the standard around the world, enjoyed by thousands of sailors. Results We had 8 great races for this regatta, and continuing their pretty amazing run, Luke Woodworth and Tommy Sitzmann won convincingly, winning most of the races. Luke is a great example that in the i420 Class especially, crews (although they never get top billing) are absolute difference-makers; their athletic work in the front of the boat although often overlooked is a big key to team success. Full Results READ MORE

TECH JOURNAL: NORTH 3Di FOR THE 49er & 49erFX CLASSES After an intense bid process that included rigorous sail testing, the class unanimously chose to adopt 3Di, the most modern sailmaking technology When North Sails was asked by the 49er and 49erFX classes to propose an update to their current sails, the first step was to collect accurate data about how they were performing and what could be improved. We reached out to Julian Bethwaite, John Clinton, Blair Tuke and Peter Burling, as well as many others who are involved with the class. The feedback was overwhelmingly in favor of better consistency in the sails and more longevity. Our goals quickly became very clear. North Sails takes a scientific approach to sailmaking. The North Design Suite is a powerful set of proprietary software that allows our designers to model simulations, test hypotheses and eventually, arrive at an optimized solution for the engine above deck. This data-driven approach was visibly on display at the 36th America’s Cup, where North designers were embedded with Emirates Team New Zealand, Luna Rossa, and INEOS Team UK. For the 49er project, it was months of design work and on-the-water testing to conclude that the best sails for the job were 3Di upwind sails. The process that we used to get there is described below. Modeling & Materials Our discovery for the 49er project began with an eagerness to fully understand the boats and the existing sails. Consistency of both manufacturing and shape, along with longevity, were identified as key areas for improvement. We learned that sailors were buying up to seven inventory sets just to find two that are consistent, so we set a goal to build a set of sails that would be consistent and competitive for up to three regattas. That would reduce sailor aggravation, drastically improve consistency, and also reduce overall inventory costs. Modeling: First, we built a virtual model in the North Design Suite that included the shrouds, mast and sails and made it possible to change the tuning for different wind ranges. From there, sail designers Mike Marshall and Mickey Ickert used a combination of five NDS tools (Desman, Spiral, Warps, Flow and Membrain) to run simulations and accurately predict the performance and shape of the current sails—as well as an initial recommendation for new sails. Material Choice: Once we could accurately predict sail performance and flying shape, we A/B tested two material options that could achieve the right shapes: a paneled laminate ; and North 3Di. The paneled cloth matched the current class specs while the North-manufactured sailcloth provided improved consistency in both cloth quality and construction. Made using the purpose-built EXact x-ply machine, the sail cloth was produced using a very precise gravure process to ensure perfectly measured adhesive coating; even glue distribution (and less glue overall) would reduce weight without sacrificing strength. While our paneled laminate sails would’ve been a small step forward, we were certain that 3Di would be a much more significant improvement in our stated goals: improving both repeatability and longevity. 3Di would also be vastly different from the current class sail material and construction, so we knew it was important to prove that it would be dramatically better. Fine-Tuning: With our materials chosen, we fine-tuned our model to match the cloth. For the paneled designs, the goal was to optimize the shape through broad seaming and luff curves. For the 3Di sails, we leaned on WARPS™ for a layout that would maximize durability. We looked at both element strain and yarn strain in the model, which we can control well with 3Di. Why 3Di tested better than paneled sails When modeling, strain maps highlight “hot-spots:” areas where the element strain (a measure of the movement in the cloth) is too high relative to yarn strain (a measure of the tensions in the yarns). Small tweaks in tape layout may help one map but hurt the other, so we run the model until we strike the optimal balance. The strains don’t have to be brought down to zero; they just have to match each other. Tension is the enemy of sail shape, and the key to designing a versatile, predictable sail is to align that tension with the direction of movement. Like an elastic, the more a sail is stretched against the yarn path, the less likely it is to come back to its intended shape. By optimizing tape materials and orientations, 3Di allows us to minimize distortion under load, which will help with consistency, performance, and longevity. On paneled sails, the yarn strain is high but the element strain is low—especially in the main. That means the sails are pliable, but they will change shape over time. When compared to the 3Di sails, the original 49er main showed the element strain to be high in the upper third of the sail. Based on our experiences, this led us to add more bias support and use tapes at different angles from our standard load path layout. That settled the element strain map and made it more consistent with the yarn strain map. On the paneled main and jib, the map showed high yarn strain up the luff of both sails. There wasn’t much we could do about that in the paneled sails, but in the 3Di sail we added a Helix structured luff group to both main and jib. That settled the yarn strain map and brought it more in line with the element strain map. A 3Di main that uses a custom-engineered layout and a 3Di jib that uses the standard load path layout best matched the maps of the element and yarn strains. And by settling the luff loads, the Helix luff structure would make the cunningham and halyard more effective. No detail is too small After developing prototype designs that fulfilled our primary goals, it was time to look at the small but important details that contribute to overall performance. The tack flap connection in the main was noted as an area of high load and distortion since it is the point of convergence for the two tack flaps and the bottom batten. We reinforced it in the paneled sails, and then re-thought it in the 3Di sails to be all one piece. That single structure will transfer cunningham load to the head of the sail, eliminating a high failure and wear point. Next, we built prototype sails in both paneled and 3Di, and we invited several experts to go sailing. Sail Testing With the help of 18’ Skiff expert Matt Steven, the prototypes were put to work by the top New Zealand 49er teams. After several on the water testing sessions, the simulations we’d run in the North Design Suite were validated. With the help of 18’ Skiff expert Matt Steven, the prototypes were put to work by the top New Zealand 49er teams. After several on the water testing sessions, the simulations we’d run in the North Design Suite were validated. We were very pleased with the performance of all the new sails against the current designs. Both paneled and 3Di held their shapes and were more consistent than the class standard, though as we predicted the 3Di sails were smoother, more consistent, and held their shapes better. Shortly after our testing sessions, our recommendation that the class adopt 3Di was accepted. For both training and regattas leading up to the 2024 Olympics, 49er and FX sailors now have a much better option for sails: 3Di mains and jibs. They will be built with the same sail technology used to make identical sails for one design classes such as the Volvo 65s, AC50s, Moth and Melges 20; a constant and replicable taping and mold, followed by a consistent layout and finishing team. We met our project goals in order to help you meet yours—another example of the North Sails scientific approach to sailmaking. Testimonials: Longevity 18ft Skiff – In four years, David McDiarmid’s Honda Racing earned the JJ titles, widely recognized as the 18’ Skiff’s World Championship. The team accomplished this with one set of 3Di sails. Between training and races, these sails saw thousands of hours on the water. Moth – The class has almost entirely switched to 3Di sail, which like the 49er, is a full battened mainsail with very high loads. Most of the sailors buy one sail a year and use it for all of their major events. Comparatively, sailors would go through 2-3 paneled sails per in advance of each major event. Tom Slingsby says: “The North 3Di Moth sail has a longer durability than any sail on the market I had previously used, and any sail currently on the market. If I was heading into a world title this year, I would have no issue using the sail I used to win the 2019 World Championship. The life of the sail is outstanding.” Around the World Ocean Racing – North 3Di has been tested through hundreds of thousand hours and offshore miles. Whether the one design Volvo 65, the latest generation IMOCA or the awe-inspiring Ultim trimarans, 3Di is made to outlast the adventure. For example, the sails used by Thomas Coville in his 2016 around the world record were used for a year and a half of training and practice leading up to his attempt. He reported no sail failures in the 42 day trip around the world. READ MORE

1. Skradinska regata krstaša 📸 regate.com.hr Jedriličarski klub Kon Tiki u suradnji s ACI marinom Skradin organizirao je 1. Skradinsku regatu krstaša, a vjerojatno i prvu regatu krstaša s hrvatskim posadama na Prokljanskom jezeru. Inače se tijekom charter sezone na ovom jezeru često mogu vidjeti regate charter flota sa stranim posadama, tako da to nije neobična scena za promatrače iz Bilica i iz Rasline, ali ne može se reći i da su na prethodnim regatama često mogli vidjeti ovoliko "crnih" jedara... kako onih u raznim karbonsko-kevlarskim vrstama izvedbe, tako i onih koja su baš crne boje. Dobra promidžba ove regate okupila je u Skradinu stvarno impresivnu flotu. Stigle su jedrilice iz Zadarskog, Šibenskog i Splitskog akvatorija i može se reći da je to bilo okupljanje većine najatraktivnijih regatnih krstaša s ove strane Jadrana. Da bi flota stvarno bila potpuna nedostajali su Damaco, Dubrovnik, Paikea, Mataran, Stravaganza i obje Tutte Trieste. Ukupno je na startnoj listi bilo 19 jedrilica, a odjedrena su ukupno četiri plova u jedinom danu natjecanja. Zbog konfiguracije Prokljana organizator je imao na izboru samo dvije opcije ili jedrenje olimpijskog trokuta ili jedrenje u štap polju. Izabrana je ova druga varijanta, a kako je puhalo jugo tako je postavljen štap čija je duljina bila nešto manja od 1.5NM, a kako se svaki štap morao obići četiri puta, ukupna duljina rute jednog plova bila je oko 5.5NM. Vremenski uvjeti, može se reći bez ikakvih pretjerivanja, bili su idealni! S obzirom na veličinu jezera nema prostora da se raskopa vodena površina (ipak nije riječ o moru, već više o slatkoj nego i o bočatoj vodi), pa se jedrilo po praktički "flat" uvjetima. U prvom plovu je pak vjetar bio najslabiji. Puhalo je desetak čvorova, a kako je dan odmicao tako je i jugo jačalo, da bi u posljednjem plovu puhalo čak i oko 20 čvorova. S obzirom na broj dizanja i spuštanja spinakera, te broj manovri koje je svaka jedrilica morala napraviti, bilo je izrazito atraktivnije i napornije nego na mnogim drugim regatama na čije rute smo već tradicionalno naučili i koje se rijetko kad promijene. Izuzmu li se ligaški nastupi, te regata za CRO ORC D-Marin Cup, ovo je bila prva ozbiljnija regata krstaša za "široke mase". Možda je to razlog neuigranosti pojedinih posada, jer se većina sudionika u pojedinim trenucima našla u nekim situacijama koje bi publici bile vrlo atraktivne. Bilo je štraorcavanja, pražnjenja genakera, pa čak i genakera oko štrajeva i kormila. Uglavnom, nitko nije prijavio nikakvu ozbiljniju štetu, kao ni veće ozljede. 📸 regate.com.hr Što se tiče rezultata, regatom je dominirala Furiosa iz JK Uskok. Posada Igora Čupića pobijedila je u čak tri plova, dok je u posljednjem bila druga. Tada im je vodeću poziciju oduzela ACI-jeva posada na Clubswanu 36 s Ivanom Kljakovićem Gašpićem na kormilu. Njegova družina je u prva tri plova završila na drugom mjestu. Najstabilniji rezultatski gledano bila je još jedna Uskokova posada, ovog puta na jedrilici Gringo 3. Ekipa Roberta Sandalića je sva četiri puta ciljnu ravninu presjekla na trećem mjestu. Zanimljivo je bilo prognozirati rasplet na regatnom polju s obzirom da je svaka od jedrilica u prvih deset imala neki svoj poseban adut. Furiosa, jedrilica koja je ujedno proglašena i najbržom na regati, osim što je bila najduža (ako se izuzme Bavaria Cruiser - Elfida), u svom arsenalu ima i vodene balaste koji su joj bili od izrazite pomoći u odnosu na foilove po kojima se isticao Clubswan 36. S druge strane Gringo 3, All4One, Mr.J su bez posebnih dodataka i jedrilice su klasičnog tipa, ali svojom linijom i jedrima pripremljenima za jedrenje u ORC Cupu, uspješno su se nosili protiv još jednog openaša s vodenim balastima, Magnuma X3, ocenske jurilice Crazyja itd. U svakom slučaju bio je to događaj kojeg se ne smije propustiti dogodine na drugom izdanju, jer ovakvi uvjeti jedrenja s dovoljno vjetra, bez vala, pa čak i podatak da je to jedina regata krstaša na slatkoj vodi u Hrvatskoj, ističu Skradinsku regatu u kalendaru HJS-a. Jedino je šteta što su još uvijek na snazi zabrane okupljanja i organiziranja zajedničkih druženja za sudionike regate, jer u ambijentu marine u Skradinu i to bi sigurno bilo za pamćenje. A za one koje zanimaju rezultati, zajedničke možete pronaći na ovom linku, dok su rezultati po grupama dostupni ovdje, a vrlo bogata foto galerija može se pronaći na ovom linku. READ MORE

NORTH SAILS NAMED SAILMAKER FOR THE 49er & 49erFX CLASSES The highly competitive one design class chose to adopt 3Di, the most modern sailmaking technology available North Sails, the world’s leading sailmaker, was recently named the supplier of choice for the 49er and 49erFX class mainsails and jibs in the lead-up to the 2024 Olympic Games. After an intense, months-long bid process of rigorous sail testing, North 3Di Technology was the unanimous choice of a selection panel including Olympic medalists and coaches, the 49er and 49erFX Class measurers, a builder’s representative, and the copyright holders. The class was motivated to evaluate their one design sails by the sailors, who requested improvements in sail consistency, longevity, and durability. After months of sail-testing comparing 3Di head to head with the most current products from other sailmakers, the class chose to adopt 3Di, the most modern sailmaking technology available. “This is a very exciting development,” says 49er Champion and America’s Cup Defender, Blair Tuke, a two-time medalist on the selection committee. “It’s a first for an Olympic Class to be able to select equipment that optimizes performance, consistency, longevity, and has a positive environmental impact, all in one package.” After an exciting 36th America’s Cup, Tuke has become quite familiar to the power of 3Di, especially after Emirates Team New Zealand’s successful defense of the Auld Mug. Three teams (Emirates Team New Zealand, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, and INEOS Team UK) trusted North Sails tools, design expertise, and technology to power their AC75s. The decision is a testament to North 3Di’s versatility and adaptability across a wide range of boats and sail types. Specialty-sourced raw materials for 3Di tapes and perfectly consistent shaping on a full-sized 3D mold have moved 3Di a generation ahead of the traditional paneled construction used by other sailmakers; this includes both woven sailcloth and the Mylar-based string sails. The precision engineering of proprietary 3Di molded construction makes it possible for North Sails to produce repeatable one design sails in both shape and detailing. This is both a huge cost savings and a performance upgrade for 49er programs that previously had to purchase and test multiple suits to find sail they liked. Beyond material choice, North Sails deployed its scientific approach to understanding the baseline and then engineering an optimized solution for the one design 49er class. 49er and 49erFX teams will use 3Di mains and jibs for both training and regattas in the lead-up to the 2024 Olympic Games. For much more detail about the intensive development path North Sails took to optimize sails for the 49er and 49erFX, read the case study. READ CASE STUDY READ MORE

THE CAPE 31 IS CAPTIVATING SAILORS WORLDWIDE A Project Fueled by Passion Tokoloshe III 📸 Rick Tomlinson Named after its place of origin, Cape Town, South Africa, the worldwide growth of the Cape 31 fleet all started with one man’s vision; Highland Fling owner and avid racer Lord Laidlaw. Eager to stimulate the industry and create a class for young talent, Laidlaw commissioned Mark Mills to design the first five Cape 31 hulls, of which he soon found buyers. “The promotion of events in South Africa was integral to get the class on its feet and make it attractive for people to buy and sail these boats,” Mills remarks. “Now the fleet is self-propelling, and Laidlaw has taken a step back to leave it running as a commercial operation.” Cape 31s are 31-foot high-performance keelboats targeted at the highest level of regional/club sailing. They represent the most advanced form of production keelboat without getting into high-cost, complete carbon construction. Designer and Irishman Mark Mills of Mills Design is one of the most successful yacht designers of recent years, and he has taken the Cape 31 hull design under his wing. To date, 19 boats have been built, with 10 actively racing in Cape Town, and a growing fleet of eight boats confirmed for the UK. “I think a vacuum has been created after the peak of the Melges 32,” Mills explains. “The Cape 31 is my favorite design because it is happy in all wind ranges – great in the breeze and sails both upwind and downwind incredibly, so it will naturally succeed wherever it goes. We are seeing the result of this now in the UK.” After witnessing the fleet’s success in South Africa, father and son duo Mike and Dave Bartholomew brought the first Cape 31 over to the UK in a container, naming her Tokoloshe III. As she whizzed around the Solent, winning all but one event in IRC last season, it did not take long for people to catch on. Volvo Ocean Race, World Match Racing Champion, and IRC/ORC World Champion Dave Swete spotted the hype and jumped onboard in October 2020 when he ‘fell in love with the boat.’ “I think there was always a gap in the market for a smaller boat that ticks all the boxes; a fantastic One Design boat which wins under IRC with a supreme boat builder behind it,” he says. “Between myself, Dave Bartholomew, and Suzy Peters, we decided to launch the class in the UK. We are proud to have got the regattas and class rule right, and all of these ingredients seem to be combining well as we are already welcoming the eighth boat to the UK fleet!” Tokoloshe III 📸 Rick Tomlinson Ever since the fleet’s activation in South Africa four years ago, North Sails has proudly been the sailmaker of choice. Our sail designers invested a lot of time to develop the sails from how they started as paneled class sails. North Sails Cape 31 Class Expert Pete Redmond confirms that “3Di is the optimal product for boats racing in the UK and in an IRC arena. The lightweight and durable components of 3Di allow the 31-footers to compete against a quality fleet of 40-footers in an upwind beat and dominate them downwind. The sail plan needs the ability to change depth drastically to get the most speed from both light airs and big breeze, and 3Di mainsails and jibs allow this to happen.’’ Mills adds, “For a lightweight 31-footer to win in IRC is extraordinary—and to win in a class of boats up to 9 feet bigger is historically unprecedented.” With inquiries about the boat throughout Europe, it is no surprise that the US market is also gaining momentum with the first boat already sailing in Louisiana. Swete’s vision is to get a core group of owners together, to grow the fleet in one hit. Discussions between the UK and US fleets involve ‘meet-up’ winter events in Florida and/or the Caribbean. “Dave has enough energy to take on the US, and that gives owners a single target person to deal with,” comments Mills. “The sail plan needs the ability to change depth drastically to get the most speed from both light airs and big breeze, and 3Di mainsails and jibs allow this to happen.” One of the Cape 31 fleet’s original concepts is that all the boats will be bright and colorful, which the South African fleet represents well. “I’m on a mission to get the new boats, firstly in the UK, but hopefully in America afterward, to hang on to that ethos,” Mills explains, adding that it would make a nice change from more white hulls on the start line. The Cape 31 season on the Solent will be a busy one, with six class events and three IRC events. All will offer competitive Grand Prix racing with a focus on fun both on and off the water. First up on the 21st – 23rd May is the Vice Admirals Cup, where there are enough boats to make up a class. Next is the Royal Southern Yacht Club June Regatta, where the fleet will mix with the Performance 40s. Other highlight regattas include the inaugural Royal Thames Yacht Club Invitational Regatta, and Tattinger Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta. The season will come to a close with the UK Nationals at the Royal Yacht Squadron, but 2022 events are already in the works. To learn more about this up-and-coming class, get in touch with Cape 31 Class Captain Dave Swete. For information on sail inventory choices, contact North Sails Class Expert Pete Redmond. The boats are set up to sail with a crew of seven or eight, with a limit of three professionals and a weight limit of 595kg. The option to sail with eight people encourages lighter sailors onboard, thus encouraging women and families to get involved. Tokoloshe III 📸 Rick Tomlinson Tokoloshe III 📸 Rick Tomlinson READ MORE

FOR NORTH SAILS PRESIDENT KEN READ, IT’S ALL PART OF THE JOB Fresh off the 36th America’s Cup and smashing a race record to Cabo (from Newport Beach), How Does the President of North Sails Navigate a Jam-Packed Schedule? From calling the America’s Cup to helping steer North Sails through the unexpected in 2020 and then going on to break race course records, North Sails President Ken Read returns to HQ after a wild winter, geared up and ready to keep pushing North Sails and all of North Technology Group to that next level. If you run into Ken Read on the dock somewhere, he’ll probably be friendly, even chatty – he’s just that kind of guy. But if you ask him, “so what is it that you do for a living?” make sure you have a few minutes to spare. “What do you do for a living?” is a straightforward question with a straightforward answer (in theory): President of North Sails. But the details are a bit tricky to explain for Read, a world champion, America’s Cup skipper, around-the-world offshore racer turned business leader who’s also an America’s Cup TV commentator and record-breaking sailor. At the heart of all these activities: to make sure, without doubt, North Sails remains the driver behind everything he does– but Read’s all-in approach means his schedule is as diverse as a start line at a Wednesday night beer can race. After helping navigate North Sails through a global pandemic, Read finished the year living in New Zealand for four months as part of the 36th America’s Cup commentating team. The location change also helped him spend lots more time focused on the North Technology Group companies in the Southern Hemisphere. Less than 36 hours after Emirates Team New Zealand secured their win, he hopped on a flight to go help win and ultimately break the Newport to Cabo Race record (in one day, 21 hours) onboard Roy Disney’s turbo’d Volvo 70, Pyewacket. Before his final leg home to Rhode Island, Read got on the phone to talk us through the last couple of months. He did admit to feeling “pretty whipped,” but that confession aside, his enthusiasm was intact. Read appears to wear many hats simultaneously, but it all leads towards making sure North Sails, and all the North Technology Group companies continue to lead that way with their data-driven approach. After this, all of his other jobs fall into place. “It’s my job to get out and about, be seen and shake hands,” he says, “and make sure that the sailing world knows that North Sails is here to help, that all of the North Technology Group companies are here to make their experience a better one. There are all kinds of detail-oriented jobs behind the scenes, but in a leadership role, you have an obligation to promote the sport. Which in turn promotes your brand. Remember, the rising tide helps all.” “I got to New Zealand on December 1st,” recalls Read. “It was one of the bonuses of doing that job on TV: it got me to that part of the world where the sailing action was at its highest. I was in the right place at the right time given my position within the North Technology Group and North Sails.” It was “a lot of work but well worth the effort” for Read, a man whose recent schedule was certainly dizzying. “A day that included commentary was hard, but it wasn’t every day. I’d start around 5.30 am with the Europe calls, then have three hours with North America, then head quickly off to commentating. Because the races were so late in the day, we didn’t report until 11 am to meet with the producers. We all had our insiders embedded sailmakers!!> inside the teams who were great at making sure we were accurate. They wouldn’t give us their company’s secrets, but they made sure we weren’t making things up on air. We’d spend a couple of hours preparing the show before going into the booth at about 2 pm to do a couple of rehearsals—two to three hours of non-stop talking followed, which was super fun. “They loved it when I talked about sails – the producer and director were like, ‘what do you think we got you here for!’ I got to point out all the amazing sail features that the world had never seen before, and the rig and the whole ‘engine above the deck’ was a phrase I used all the time. It turns out I have heard that phrase all over the place since. A phrase coined initially by the late remarkable Terry Kohler. “We’d end the show around 6 pm and have a half-hour debrief. I’d often go meet a client or one of our folks or my wife for a beer on the Viaduct, have a quick dinner, and likely be on the phone for a couple of hours during the night. It was fun staying absolutely current and up to date with my North Sails job. It was fun talking about the sport that we love.” Despite the lack of sleep, it’s clear Read embraces all aspects of his role, from the marketing side of things to the more all-hands-on-deck projects. “It was always the plan for me to join Pyewacket in the Newport to Cabo Race straight after the America’s Cup,” he said. “I missed sailing – we all do, everybody reading this article misses sailing right now – and Roy Disney and I have been talking about sailing together for a long time. I’ve known Roy and his project manager Robbie Haines forever – I did an America’s Cup with Roy back in 1995 and won two world championships with Robbie– and the Cabo race is a classic. It fit into my schedule, but we didn’t expect the America’s Cup would take a week longer than planned. So it became a little tight with the Cup ending in the afternoon and me flying out the next day. 36 hours after landing in LA and a great dinner with my daughter who lives out there, we were sailing 800 miles to Cabo with a bunch of legends in 25 knots of breeze.” By the time he had jumped on the Volvo 70, Read was tired– very tired. But his jet lag played in his favor when he joined the watch system onboard. “The time zone I was on didn’t matter!” he laughed. He loved seeing Pyewacket’s Helix A3 sail in action, too, a North Sails structured luff technology they used 90% of the race. “Veteran Sail designer Steve Calder and North Sails project manager Brian Janney did a great job injecting a couple of new sails into this program which were exactly the right sails for the job. This sail proved to me that the Helix concept is real. This boat goes knots faster than the Volvo 70s I sailed in the past (like Puma’s Mar Mostro in the 11-12 Volvo Ocean Race). Yes, the rig was turbo-ed up a bit, but we were reefed all the time. The Helix sail was the big difference – it’s crazy fast and incredibly forgiving. This concept is now more respected and prevalent than ever.” It’s experiences like these, all the contacts, conversations and connections, that drive Read across the globe and around the clock. “That’s why I sign up for these things, because I know it’s my job at North Sails, and because I want to stay current. It would be easy for guys like me to slowly go off in the sunset, and before you know it, you don’t know the next generation of sailors.” Still, you’d think the man would get some rest now, right? “Hardly,” he jokes. “I’m going into the loft this afternoon here in Rhode Island.” What do they say again? Love what you do, and you won’t work a day in your life. Tell that to Ken Read… READ MORE

Nažalost, djevojke ne idu u Tokio 📸 Karlo Krpeljević Lanzarote International Regatta jedrila se na dalekom Atlantiku, uvijek ugodnom za život, Kanarskom otočju. Cijelu zimu tamo se nalaze praktički svi Europski jedriličari i jedriličarke koji se pripremaju za nastup u Tokiju, jer kažu da su uvjeti dosta slični onima koji će vladati na olimpijskom regatnom polju. Povremeno su treneri organizirali i neslužbene regate, a ona o kojoj je ovdje riječ neplanirano se održala, jer je određeno da ona bude zamjena za otkazanu regatu koja se trebala jedriti na Palmi. Riječ je o tradicionalnoj megaregati Trofeju princeze Sofije, ali španjolski stožeraši su procijenili da će jedriličarima manji rizik po pitanju Korone biti na njihovom atlanskom posjedu. Ova regata bila je posebno iščekivana jer su se na njoj dijelile posljednje norme za Europljanke u klasi 49erFX. Zajedno s djevojkama jedrile su i muške posade u klasičnom 49er-u, kao i mješovite posade u Nacri 17. Spomenuta norma posebno je bila zanimljiva za nekoliko posada među kojima su bile talijanke, čehinje, belgijanke i naša posada Ninčević - Vitturi. S obzirom na formu i pokazane rezultate posljednjih skoro godinu dana naše djevojke su bile u najozbiljnijoj konkurenciji za osvajanje te, posljednje, karte za Tokio. Njihova kvaliteta i ozbiljnost u pristupu bili su očiti već od početka ove regate, a najvećom konkurencijom im se pokazala belgijska posada Maenhaut - Geurts. Za cijelo vrijeme kvalifikacija i kasnije finala, izmjenjivale su se u vodstvu (jedna posada u odnosu na drugu). Međutim, na samom kraju regate dolazi do par sudbonosnih trenutaka koji su zapečatili sudbinu našim djevojkama i otvorile prolaz mladoj posadi iz Belgije. Što se točno dešavalo ispričala nam je kormilarka našeg 49er-a Enia Ninčević: Da nam je netko rekao da ćemo ovu regatu završiti u deset najboljih odmah bi potpisale, samo što je sad konkurencija u Europi toliko jaka da nismo ispunile svoj prvenstveni cilj... tako da što je tu je. Mislim, dobro smo odjedrile tako da ipak nije ostao toliko gorak okus u ustima. Od početka ove godine bile smo ukupno dva mjeseca na putu. Boravile smo u Villamouri, pa smo potom čekale odluku na vijećanju gdje će se nakon otpadanja Palme jedriti kvalifikacije. U Portugalu smo i ostavile opremu između dva ciklusa priprema, jer su svi u klasi očekivali da će se u Villamouri jedriti umjesto Palme i onda je samo jednog dana stigao email da će regata biti na Lanzarote. Tada se cijela logistika morala prebaciti trajektom na Kanare, radili su se novi Kovid testovi, a i nas dvije kad smo prebacile opremu, dvadesetak dana pred regatu, nismo se više vraćale već smo odlučile ostati tu i pripremati se za regatu. I stvarno tamo je što se tiče jedrenja raj na Zemlji! Stvarno puše svaki dan i ima taj "north" uvjet kad puše s kraja, kad je više flat i ima vanjski s valčinom. Sama regata spadala je u vjetrovitije. Tri dana smo imali uvjete velikog vala, a vjetar na neke refule... crte, linije, koridore... moralo se biti na točnom mjestu. A bilo je i dana kad je stabilno puhalo. Uglavnom, vjetra je bilo dosta, jer da nije to bi se vidjelo i na rezultatima... da je bio lagani vjetar ne bi šest talijanki završilo u silver grupi. Akvatorij u kojem se organizirala regata bio je onaj u kojem smo i trenirali. U stvari nigdje drugo nismo ni mogle biti jer smo dobile pozivnicu za taj klub, gdje smo bile i smještene, maske na otvorenom, policijski sat... tako da sam stavrno jedva čekala doći doma da ne moram nositi masku na otvorenom :) Kvalifikacije su trajale tri dana i svaki dan smo jedrili po tri plova. Finale je također trajalo tri dana, s tim da smo u prva dva dana odjedrili šest jedrenja i zadnji dan još jedan plov i medal race. Što se tiče konkurencije za Tokio, nakon kvalifikacija su otpale talijanke, jer imaju izvrsnu posadu za lagane vjetrove, a ostale smo mi, šveđanke, belgijanke i čehinje. Od početka regate mi i belgijanke smo bili u prvih deset. Jedan dan one 7. a mi 8., pa idući dan mi 7. a one 9., pa smo se stalno izmjenjivale. A ove ostale nikad nisu bile bolje od 12. mjesta. Također, stalno smo gradile tu prednost ispred njih, pa je zadnjeg dana finala bilo ili mi ili belgijanke. I onda tog zadnjeg dana mi malo kiksamo i one ostvare prednost od dvadesetak bodova... u teoriji to se dalo stići sa zadnjim plovom i s medal raceom, ali zadnji plov nama je pukla "mala sajla" (najniža sarća koja se hvata ispod križa i ide na palubu), pa smo imale DNF. Nakon toga više nismo imale nikakve šanse, pa ni u medal raceu da ostvarimo bolji rezultat. Imali smo skroz novi komplet sajli, ali ih nismo htjele stavljati, jer ih isto treba istestirati. Tako da smo jedrili s najmanje voženima, ali eto, jedna od njih je ipak pukla. Mislim, na 49eru stvarno dosta stvari može puknuti i teško ih je predvidjeti, pa čak i ako se stavi novi komad nitko ne može garantirati da neće i on puknuti. Enia Ninčević, JK Uskok Na Kanarima je dosta posada imalo probleme sa sarćama. Glavni razlog je veliki val (swell) s obzirom da 49eri dosta skaču po takvim valovima, a preventivni pregledi sajli se ne mogu napraviti, jer obično pucaju iznutra. Sličan problem kao i naše djevojke imala je i muška belgijska posada koja je također bila u borbi za olimpijsku normu, ali posljedica pucanja njihove sajle bila je lom jarbola. Flota 49erFX dijela Lanzarote International Regatta-e brojala je ukupno 46 posada, a naše djevojke završavaju ukupno na 10. mjestu, dok su im glavne konkurentice finiširale na 7. mjestu. Analizom rezultata može se primijetiti da je naša posada imala dosta bolje rezultate u kvalifikacijskom dijelu regate. Čak 7 od 9 jedrenja su završile unutar prvih šest, a u posljednjoj kvalifikaciji su i pobijedile. U finalnim jedrenjima najbolji rezultati su im 3. i 7. mjesto, dok su belgijanke držale bolji prosjek. S ovim rezultatom tako je za Eniu Ninčević i Mihaelu Zjenu de Micheli Vitturi završio ovaj olimpijski ciklus, a hoće li se odlučiti na još jedan pokušaj i kvalifikacije za Pariz ostaje nam za vidjeti. U svakom slučaju, njihov matični klub, JK Uskok iz Zadra pruža im punu podršku i ako se odluče za novu četverogodišnju kampanju pružit će im punu podršku. Uvijek je zanimljivo čuti i priču s druge strane, a ovaj put pogotovo, jer osim što je izniman ulog bio u pitanju, tako i zbog činjenice da je trener belgijske posade Uskokov višestruki olimpijac, Petar Cupać. Do sada je kao natjecatelj sudjelovao na čak četiri olimpijade. U Ateni 2004. jedrio je s Tomislavom Bašićem u klasi 470, da bi se potom prebacio u 49er i jedrio s Pavlom Kostovim u Pekingu 2008., Londonu 2012. i u Riu 2016. godine. S ovim trenerskim angažmanom nastavit će stvarno impresivan niz s kakvim se mali broj sportaša u svijetu može pohvaliti, a evo i njegove priče: Krenuo sam s njih dvije početkom ožujka 2019. One su do tada jedrile u klasi Nacra 17, međutim njihov savez je prekinuo taj projekt jer je bilo dosta ozljeda i bilo je dosta opasno. Tako da su se njih dvije spojile i dobile su podršku da krenu u 49erFX i to za Pariz 2024. Jedrile su tako par mjeseci same, tražile su trenera i nekako su igrom slučaja došle do mene. Ponudile su mi posao koji sam prihvatio s tim da sam bio i na probnom roku dva mjeseca. Bile su zadovoljne s probnim rokom i krenuli smo s radom s Parizom kao konačnim ciljem. Ali, još su se jedrile kvalifikacijske regate za olimpijadu u Tokiju, pa smo odlučili sudjelovati i na njima, pa ako što bude bude. Mislim, u jedrenju uvijek postoji nada, pa i to što smo ja i Pave isto napravili u godinu i pol dana, tako da je šansa postojala. Na prvim kvalifikacijama, na SP nismo uspjeli, ali išlo nam je na ruku ovo što se sve odgodilo godinu dana. Dosta smo trenirali s ostalim timovima, npr. u Vilamouri u Portugalu gdje su bili skoro svi, tako da nismo bili sami i stalno smo imali sparing partnere u Belgijskom timu. S njima smo uspostavili stvarno dobru suradnju, u stvari dogovorili smo se da dosta toga testiramo zajedno i zajedno napredujemo, jer se jedino tako može ići naprijed. Ovu zimu smo istestirali dosta materijala i opreme i cure su stvarno dosta napredovale, a što se vidjelo i po rezultatima na regatama. Jednako je dobro išlo sad i na ovim posljednjim pripremama i tu su nam malo te ambicije porasle. Osjetilo se da bi se mogao postići taj rezultat, ali kad krene regata nikad ne znaš kako će završiti. Dobro je bilo to što nad njima nikad nije bio nikakav pritisak. Razgovarali smo prije natjecanja i nismo imali mentalni presing "moramo se plasirati", već je bila prisutna samo misao da je to moguće. Ako se ne kvalificiramo život se nastavlja dalje, ipak nam je glavni cilj Pariz. Tako da smo uspjeli "posložiti glavu" da ne mislimo previše o tome. Inače, djevojke imaju tek 20 i 21 godinu. Fokus im je stvarno bio jak. Uopće nisu htjele gledati rezultate, samo su jedrile iz dana u dan. Naravno, novine su pratile regatu, pa su znale koje su, ali nisu znale svoje ulaze i nisu imale presing po tom pitanju. Meni osobno je tih šest dana bilo vrlo stresno, jer krenulo je dobro i sve je vodilo ka tome i imao sam osjećaj da u rukama imamo taj rezultat, ali nesmiješ se opusititi. I onda na kraju nas je sudbina spojila da su nam glavne protivnice bile djevojke iz mog kluba, kojima sam i ja bio trener, pa čak sam i jedrio s Eniom 2018. dok joj je flokistica bila ozlijeđena. Mislim da je na kraju pobijedila igra živaca. Tamo gdje su one kiksale u polju nama se otvorila prilika i ostvarili smo bodovnu prednost... gdje se zadnji dan odlučivalo i gdje smo imali dvadeset bodova prednosti. To je bilo teško izgubiti, a cure su uspjele napraviti stvarno izvrstan posao. Čak su na početku i vodile regatu, pa smo prije medal racea riješili sve dvojbe. Petar Cupać, trener belgijske posade Finalne pripreme pred odlazak u Japan, Cupać planira također napraviti u Portugalu gdje bi njegova posada trebala trenirati s Austrijankama. U međuvremenu oprema koja je već istestirana i za koju se zna da je brza, šalje se kontejnerom u Japan, a boravak u Portugalu bit će iskorišten za testiranje još nekih novih jarbola. U Tokio planiraju otputovati sredinom lipnja, a ako se dozvoli mogućnost ranijeg odlaska na treninge to će i iskoristiti. Na regati u Lanzarote jedrile su i naše posade u 49er-u i u Nacri 17. Konkurencija u jednostrupcu bila je jednako brojna kao i u ženskoj floti, dok su katamarani bili u floti od 21 jedrilice. Braća Šime i MIhovil Fantela su bili uobičajeno dobri i u konačnici osvajaju 8. mjesto. U njihovoj regati najviše su se istaknuli Španjolci koji su imali skoro pa samo 50% bodova od srebrenih Danaca. Ostatak društva u top ten dijelu ljestvice po rezultatima je bio dosta blizu i izgleda da su duge zimske pripreme svima dobro došle i ostavile pozitivne efekte. Što se tiče Nacre 17, posada u sastavu Igor Marenić - Anđela de Micheli Vitturi, osvaja dosta dobro 12. mjesto i nagovještava dobre rezultate u nastavku sezone. Veseli to što im je čak 9 rezultata u 16 održanih jedrenja unutar između 3. i 10. mjesta i dokaz je dobrog i ustrajnog rada čiji konačni cilj je Pariz 2024. 📸 Karlo Krpeljević READ MORE

Prvenstvo Hrvatske za klasu Optimist - Josip Tafra najbolji 📸 regate.com.hr U odnosu na finale prošlogodišnjeg Prvenstva Hrvatske klase Optimist, na vrhu smo svjedočili rošadi - Josip Tafra (JK Labud) i Tristan Tol (JK Vega) samo su zamijenili mjesta. Na postolje se skupa s njima popeo Ukrajinski jedriličar Sviatoslav Madonich (SC Zatoka), dok je na četvrtom mjestu generalnog poretka, a na trećem u zatvorenom PH, završio Roko Čepić Zokić (JK Labud). Regatu su udruženim snagama organizirali članovi i volonteri Clivo Sailing Cluba i JK Uljanik, a mjesto svih zbivanja bilo je u i ispred auto kampa u Medulinu. Riječ je o lokaciji koju već neko vrijeme koriste članovi CSC-a za organiziranje svojih aktivnosti, a prednosti lokacije su višestruke. Krenuvši od onog osnovnog što se tiče jedrenja, a to je odličan akvatorij za postavljanje regatnog polja, kako sa strane Regatnog odbora, tako i sa strane natjecatelja koji imaju samo 5-10 minuta laganog jedrenja za dolazak od plaže na kojoj su smještene jedrilice do startne zone, pa do smještajnih mogućnosti kampa u kojem se svi mogu smjestiti po vrlo pristupačnim cijenama i izbjeći kasnije transfere do apartmana. Takvim okruženjem sigurno najviše profitiraju klinci koji u tim uvjetima naporan dan na moru mogu završiti ugodnim druženjem sa svojim sportskim kolegama i produbiti međusobna prijateljstva. Da je teorija takva i u praksi najbolje su mogli vidjeti svi koji su ove godine boravili u kampu jer je vesela vika zaigrane djece odjekivala sa svih strana, a ujutro bi nakon doručka laganom šetnjom svi bili kod svojih jedrilica za samo par minuta. Tako da je ideja mini olimpijskog sela kojeg od početka guraju Tina i Dario Kliba nešto što treba nastaviti promovirati u svim idućim izdanjima ove regate. Prvenstvo Hrvatske službeno je započelo u četvrtak 1. travnja, a trajalo je do nedjelje 4. travnja. Ove godine termin se preklopio s Uskrsom. Razlog uskakanja u ovaj termin je trenutna nesigurnost zbog povremenih zabrana raznoraznih aktivnosti zbog zabrana iz Stožera CZ, pa kako je već izgubljen dio normalne natjecateljske sezone svi nastoje preventivno izvući što se može iz trenutno raspoloživih termina. 📸 regate.com.hr - zlatni, Josip Tafra, CRO 919 Vremenske prilike u Puli bile su sveobuhvatne. Prva dva dana jedrilo se po laganim vjetrovima sa zapada i juga, trećeg dana po vrlo jakoj buri, a u nedjelju se nije niti izašlo na more zbog bure koja nije pokazivala nikakve namjere smirivanja. Ali u svakom slučaju Medulinski zaljev, konkretno pozicija okružena rtom Kašteja i otočićima Trumbuja, Ceja i Bodulaš, bila je jednako kvalitetna po svakom od vjetrova koji je puhao. Detaljnije izvješće iz prve ruke dobili smo od Petre Klibe, članice Organizacijskog odbora ovog velikog jedriličarskog eventa: Prva dva dana imali smo praktički ljetne uvjete, proljetne definitivno, kratke hlačice i sav pripadajući outfit... Po takvim uvjetima uspjeli smo odjedriti ukupno četiri plova, po dva svaki dan. U četvrtak se jedrilo po maestralu koji je dosta bolje vukao od južina koji je puhao u petak. Nije ni njega bilo pretjerano, ali 5-6 čvorova, na momente i 8 bilo je sasvim dovoljno. Zato smo u petak stalno imali manjak vjetra, a na kraju pogotovo. U ta dva dana napravljen je minimum planiranih regata da bi se moglo prijeći u drugi, finalni, stadij natjecanja za koji su bili rezervirani subota i nedjelja. U subotu se dugo čekalo da bi se izašlo na more. Prvi plov je odjedren po još uvijek dobrim uvjetima. Puhalo je od 18 do 20 čvorova, ali je zato u drugom plovu "pomelo". Startala je zlatna grupa, pa iza nje srebrena, a potom RO odlučuje brončanu grupu poslati na kopno. Međutim tu nije kraj, jer kad prvi iz srebrene grupe stižu do bove od orce donosi se odluka da se i njih pošalje na kopno. Tada je nastala mala pomutnja. Treneri su uletjeli u polje pomagati svojim klincima, također i neki od brodova RO-a, pa su greškom i neki iz zlatne grupe poslani doma umjesto da ih se ostavilo da jedre. Pa smo zbog toga imali i redrese. Tu opet nastaje problem jer je cijela "oglasna ploča" bila online. Među svim njenim mogućnostima je i online prijavljivanje protesta, a tome još uvijek nisu svi vični, pa nažalost neki zahtjevi za redresima nisu prijavljeni na vrijeme. Što se tiče nedjelje, prvotna prognoza bila je mnogo povoljnija. Najavljivala se bura od oko 15 čvorova, međutim, taj dana 20-24 čvora s udarima preko 28 čvorova. Brod RO-a je isplovio već oko 10:30 i bio na moru do 15:00. Usidreni su bili oni i bova od orce i cijelo vrijeme su pratili stanje. Čekalo se da bar padne na konstantno ispod 20 čvorova, da se ne bi ponovio scenario od subote. Ali nije bilo promjena pa je u 15 sati proglašen kraj regate. Inače, za našu uobičajenu regatu u ovom akvatoriju, Clivo Sailing Cup, napravili smo stvarno malo regata. U tri dana znali smo napraviti i po 12 plovova, ali ovog puta vrijeme nas nije poslužilo. Nakon flotnog na redu je bilo timsko Prvenstvo Hrvatske koje se trebalo nastaviti jedriti odmah u ponedjeljak i završiti u utorak. Već nekoliko dana ranije najvljivala se vrlo loša prognoza za utorak, tako da smo znali da sve što planiramo moramo i završiti u jednom danu. Prognoza za ponedjeljak bila je jugo u jačanju, a već u 10 sati bilo ga je taman koliko treba i dan je bio savršen! Puhalo je od 6, pa do 12 čvorova. Dan je bio sunčan i stvarno neusporediv s prethodna dva, a jedrili smo dublje u zaljevu, ispred samog Medulina. Flota je bila sastavljena od 12 ekipa koje su jedrile po Round Robin sistemu. RR smo uspjeli odjedriti kompletan i još je ostalo vremena da odjedrimo polufinale i finale. Možda najbolje o tome koliko se jedrilo govori to da smo posljednji plov finala odjedrili oko 19:30. Moram reći da su djeca bila fenomenalna! Stvarno svaka čast Bilom i sucima, oni i djeca su odradili izvrstan posao. Moram još reći da sam ja osobno na kraju ekipnog dobila malu satisfakciju za cijeli uloženi trud, jer je ekipa iz mog kluba odnijela pobjedu, a vjerujem da su se jednako tako dobro osjećali i svi volonteri, njih dvadesetak, koji su zbog ove regate svoje obitelji i sve ostalo stavili sa strane u ovo Uskrsno vrijeme. Petra Kliba, JK Uljanik Ukupno je na ovom PH bilo prijavljeno 211 jedriličarki i jedriličara. Za kvalifikacijska jedrenja bili su podijeljeni u zelenoj, plavoj i crvenoj skupini. Za one koji nisu upoznati sa skupinama, na početku regate radi se inicijalna podjela na skupine u kojima se jedri prvi dan do kraja, a za idući se formiraju nove na osnovu rezultata prvog dana. Zato je vrlo važno da se provjere svi rezultati na kraju dana, kao i da se riješe svi eventualni protesti koji mogu unijeti promjene u generalni poredak. Što se tiče Oglasa regate on je predviđao da se odjedri najviše 6 kvalifikacijskih jedrenja nakon kojih će se formirati tri jakosne skupine: zlatna, srebrene i brončana. Ali vjetar prva dva dana natjerao je RO da aktivira klauzulu minimalnog broja mogućih kvalifikacijskih jedrenja, a to je bilo četiri plova u dva dana. 📸 regate.com.hr - srebreni, Tristan Tol, CRO 1220 Treba obavezno naglasiti da je ova regata imala izraziti međunarodni karakter. CRO jedara bilo je tek nešto više od pola. Ukupno njih 130. Ostali sudionici bili su iz Ukrajine, Njemačke, Švicarske, Češke, Slovačke, Italije i Srbije, a o kvaliteti flote najbolje govori podatak da je u zlatnoj skupini, koja je brojila 71 natjecatelja, jedrila tek 33 CRO jedra. Rezultatski gledano Tafra je definitivno zasluženo osvojio zlato. Ako se zanemari jedan kiks, kojeg su uzgred rečeno imali svi u uvjetima ultra laganog vjetra, najlošiji ulasci u cilj su mu bili na 4. mjestu. U konačnici je skupio sretnih 13, te pobjegao Tolu i Madonichu za 6 kaznenih bodova. Tol i Madonich su finiš učinili vrlo zanimljivim jer su regatu završili s jednakim brojem bodova. Obojica su imala po 19, a srebro Tolu donose dvije pobjede u odnosu na samo jednu koju je ostvario Ukrajinac. 📸 regate.com.hr - brončani, Sviatoslav Madonich, UKR 101 Možda najveći žal na kraju regate ima četveroplasirani u generalnom plasmanu, Roko Čepić Zokić. On je do posljednjeg plova bio vodeći u poretku, ali 15. mjesto u posljednjem jedrenju zaustavilo ga je na korak do rezultata karijere. O kojim je rezultatima konkretno riječ možete pročitati u rezultatima zlatne grupe na ovom linku. U zlatnoj supini završili su i svi ostali nagrađeni na regati. U konkurenciji djevojčica najbrža je bila Ema Grabar (JK Uljanik). Ona je vrlo dobro jedrila cijelu regatu, a vrlo lako je moguće da je plasman među deset najboljih izgubila zahvaljujući tome što se našla u skupini koja je u posljednjem plovu poslana s mora zajedno sa srebrenom skupinom. Na kraju je završila na 13. mjestu s 50 kaznenih bodova, a samo 4 boda su je dijelila od top ten plasmana. Čak 50% više bodova od nje imale su joj kolegice na postolju. Sa 73 boda, kao drugoplasirana djevojčica završila je Švicarka Svenja Muller, a bod više imala je Čehinja Beata Dokoupilova. Što se tiče najmlađih (U12), daleko najbolji među svojim vršnjacima bio je Toma Smirčić iz JK Split. Završava na 15. mjestu, dok je u konkurenciji djevojčica mlađih od 12 godina najbrža bila Ukrajinka Olga Lubianska na 47. mjestu. Konačni raspored ostalih sudionika OPH možete pronaći na ovom linku za srebrenu, odnosno na ovom linku za brončanu skupinu, dok je popis svih nagrađenih dostupan na ovom linku. Online Oglasna ploča korištena je i na regati Optimista u Crikvenici, kao i na nekim regatama u prošloj godini. Uglavnom, sad to već postaje i standard koji ima svoje brojne prednosti, pa ako niste do sada otvorili svoj račun na ovoj web adresi, onda je vrijeme da to napravite i pripremite se za budućnost. Što se tiče ekipnog Otvorenog prvenstva Hrvatske, na njemu je nastupilo 12 ekipa, dvije iz Ukrajine i ostalih 10 iz Hrvatske, odnosno iz 8 hrvatskih klubova s obzirom da su neki imali po dvije ekipe. S obzirom da je sustav jedrenja bio Round Robin jedne zajedničke flote, a odjedren je kompletan, svaka ekipa je jedrila 11 kvalifikacijskih matcheva, jedan na jedan. Niti jedna ekipa nije ostvarila maksimalan učinak od 11 pobjeda, ali su bile dvije sa skorom 10:1. Riječ je o prvim ekipama Ukrajinske reprezentacije i JK Uljanika. S obzirom da je u međusobnom srazu Ukrajinska ekipa bila bolja oni su ujedno i zauzeli prvo mjesto nakon završetka Round Robina. Plasman nakon Round Robina ujedno je bio i raspored na Otvorenom PH. Konačni raspored na zatvorenom dijelu ekipnog PH dobiven je nakon polufinalnih i finalnih jedrenja. Kako se približavala noć dogovoreno je da se ide na dvije pobjede, a parovi u polufinalu su određeni klasičnim match race načinom, odnosno, vodeća ekipa je dobila mogućnost izbora svojih suparnika. S obzirom da su iz jednadžbe maknuti Ukrajinci, raspored polufinalista izgledao je ovako: JK Uljanik - 1 JK Vega JK Labud JK Split Sasvim logično, ekipa Uljanika izabrala je najlošije plasiranu ekipu, a to je u ovom slučaju bila ekipa JK Split. Da oni na kraju nisu bili lak zalogaj govori rezultat od 2:1, dok su Labudaši, bar rezultatski, imali nešto lakši posao za plasman u finale jer su ekipu JK Vega pobijedili s 2:0 i tako se s trećeg mjesta izborili za mjesto u finalu. I na kraju, u velikom finalu, jedre JK Uljanik - 1 i JK Labud, a u malom finalu JK Vega i JK Split. U oba sraza konačni rezultat bio je 2:0, a konačni raspored svih ekipa i rezultate međusobnih matcheva možete pronaći na ovom linku, a sastave ekipa možete pronaći na ovom linku. Čestitke svim sudionicima, a pogotovo organizatorima PH koji su se morali nositi s malo više izazova nego što je to uobičajeno u normalnim okolnostima. Možda samo za kraj da spomenem da se na polovici natjecanja otvorila mogućnost napuštanja regate od strane Njemačke reprezentacije s obzirom da je u petak Hrvatska označena crveno na Covid karti Europe, pa su se suočili s obavezom odlaska u karantenu ako ne uđu u Njemačku na vrijeme. Uglavnom, iako su intenzivno razmišljali o pakiranju u petak navečer, ostaju do kraja i nadamo se da nisu imali problema prilikom povratka u svoju domovinu. READ MORE

NEW FASTNET RECORD MOD70 PowerPlay Sets New Fastest Time 📸 Lloyd Images The MOD70 Trimaran PowerPlay, led by Peter Cunningham and skippered by Ned Collier Wakefield, has set a new Fastnet record. The team completed the original Fastnet course of 595 nautical miles in a new world Fastnet record of 25hrs 04mins 18secs (subject to ratification by the World Sailing Speed Record Council), shaving almost 3 hours off the record set by Maxi Edmond de Rothschild in the 2019 Fastnet. The boat in its previous incarnation as Concise 10 with many of the same crew also took line honors in the 2017 Fastnet Race. “It was kind of ambitious, but the conditions were right, and the team was ready to go,” commented Peter Cunningham. “The PowerPlay crew was fantastic. Miles (Seddon) did a brilliant job navigating, we had two wonderful drivers in Ned Collier Wakefield, who set up the boat and runs the program, and the fastest sailor on Earth, Paul Larsen, who drove in some incredibly bad conditions.” Shortly after midday on Monday 05 April, in a bitterly cold strong northerly wind, PowerPlay started their Fastnet record attempt on the Squadron Line at Cowes. PowerPlay made short work of racing to Lands’ End and powered across the Celtic Sea at speeds in excess of 30 knots. PowerPlay rounded the famous Fastnet Lighthouse and raced through the night. On Tuesday 06 April, at 13:42 and 19 seconds BST, PowerPlay reached the Plymouth Breakwater, where the team celebrated their amazing run of 25 hours, 4 minutes, and 18 seconds. Republished from PowerPlay Racing READ MORE

WELCOME BACK WILL BOMAR Returning to Portsmouth, Will Looks Forward to Working with Racing and Cruising Clients in New England Will making masks at North Sails Chesapeake in 2020 📸 SpinSheet Magazine Well-versed in One Design racing, Will Bomar grew up in Virginia, racing out of Hampton Yacht Club in the junior program and racing J/24s with his dad. After college, Will became a boat builder and worked on the loft floor in Portsmouth, RI, on the Certified Service team. When the opportunity came to help run another sailmaker’s loft with some friends in Annapolis, MD, he moved to the Chesapeake Bay, but not long before, he joined North Sails in Annapolis. This Spring, Will has returned to Portsmouth, Rhode Island, where he looks forward to working with cruising and racing clients in the greater New England area. Will is an experienced J/24 and J/70 sailor, as well as a variety of keelboats. When asked to pick a favorite one design class, he quickly opts for the J/24. “All the boats go the same speed, so it’s just such a chess game at the top end of the fleet. And every role is so critical, from weight movement to maneuvers, to trimming, to communication– all those pieces have to work together for the boat to excel. Half a boat length gain can be the difference between getting to one mark in front of somebody or being behind twelve other boats. The class is great to be part of, and the racing is a lot of fun.” When not sailing, Will uses surfing and standup paddleboard racing as his escape. He commented, “I am looking forward to working with the Portsmouth, RI team again, helping current and potential clients become better racers and assisting cruisers with any sail care needs.” When it comes to North Sails as the sailmaking industry leader, Will has the utmost confidence in North products and expertise. Every sail built is made to help clients achieve their sailing goals, whether they race or cruise. “I’m confident in our products and see many benefits we can provide to both racers and cruisers. The evolution and technology at North is a direct result of our products striving to be the very best there is out there. When you order a one-design sail, it will set up the same as the last one, which shows that consistency is carefully accounted for in every sail North makes. Consistency means easy to tune to your same numbers, and you know your sails are going to be fast out of the bag.” From all of us in Portsmouth, we are glad to have Will back in Rhode Island as he is an excellent asset to our sales and service team. Welcome back, Will! 📸 Chris Howell READ MORE

Prva regata ORC Cupa posadi X-Citea 📸 regate.com.hr Zadar ORC Cup je već nekoliko godina prva regata u nizu koji se jedri za CRO ORC D-Marin Cup. Ove godine trebala se jedriti u nešto ranijem terminu, ali kao i mnoštvo drugih regata nije se smjela održati zbog zabrane na državnoj razini. Zbog sličnih razloga organizatori Uskrsne regate su odustali i od svog eventa, ali zato su se članovi Udruge ORC jedriličara međusobno dogovorili da u terminu Uskrsne organiziraju Zadarsku regatu. Pozitivna atmosfera s Prvenstva Hrvatske lani u studenom osjećala se i na ovoj regati u Zadru. Jedriličari željni jedrenja i nadmetanja, fenomenalni uvjeti za jedrenje, izvrsna konkurencija... što se više moglo poželjeti? Flota je brojala 10 jedrilica, a među njima bile su čak četiri koje su imale premijerni nastup u ORC-u. Format natjecanja bio je jednak onome koji se uveo na PH 2020., a to konkretno znači da u slučaju nepostojanja uvjeta za jedrenje u štap polju da se jedri navigacijski plov. Takav razvoj situacije bio je u nedjelju. Nakon što su u subotu odjedrena tri štapa po umjerenom i jakom jugu, lagani nedjeljni uvjeti po sunčanom vremenu bili su idealni za navigaciju po Zadarskom kanalu. Prvi plov startao je u 11:25 na polju s orcom duljine duljine 1.67NM po vjetru koji je puhao iz 140°. Start je bio klasičan za uvjete na regatnom polju. S obzirom na val i vjetar nitko nije pokušavao neka iznenađenja i egzibicije poput lijevih uzda na startu, ali većina flote vrlo brzo je virala i krenula s jedrenjem na desnoj strani regatnog polja. S obzirom na smjer vjetra izbor jedrenja bliže Ugljanu rezultirao je s potrebom probijanja nešto manjih valova. Većini flote taj val nije pretjerano smetao, samo je dodavao na atraktivnosti, dok je nekoliko manjih jedrilica zahvaljujući stanju mora bilo značajno usporeno. Među tim manjim jedrilicama bile su dvije na svom premijernom nastupu u Kupu, a riječ je o malenom Farru 280 - Adriatica i JOD-u 35 - Žut. Druge dvije jedrilice koje su prvi put nastupile na ovom tipu regate bile su značajno veće i moćnije po ovim uvjetima. Murtić 52 - Bare V bio je ujedno i najveći brod u floti, dok je XP44 - Filip bio najnoviji. Taj prvi plov nažalost ne završavaju Filip i Elaya zbog problema s jedrima, ali probleme rješavaju na vrijeme za startanje drugog plova. Možda nije loše istaknuti, a ujedno i pohvaliti, posadu jedrilice Elaya. Ova slovenska družina stigla je unatoč strogim mjerama koje su na snazi u Deželi s ciljem da zajedri pod svaku cijenu! Prije starta drugog plova vjetar odlazi u desno desetak stupnjeva i RO to prati pravovremenom korekcijom bove na orci. Ujedno desna strana postaje izbor cijele flote nakon startnog signala i nakon stotinjak metara na desnim uzdama sve se prebacuju pod Ugljan. Osim malo "mekšeg" vala ta strana je bila izdašnija po pitanju refula. Naklonost desnoj strani polja mogla se primijetiti i tijekom jedrenja u krmu. Naime, u prvom plovu nakon prolaska pored offseta svi su se uglavnom držali lijeve strane regatnog polja, dok su u drugom plovu jedrili više pri sredini, a neki su se davali i na desnu stranu, odnosno svoju lijevu za vrijeme spuštanja niz vjetar. Inače su dionice u krmu posebno zanimljive za analizu pomoću statističkih i playback podataka s obzirom da je pola flote jedrilo sa spinakerima, a pola s genakerima, pogotovo ako se težište baci na usporedbe VMG-ova. Treći plov se jedrio na jednakom polju kao i drugi. Vjetar je bio stabilan i nije trebalo obavljati korekcije, pa su jedriličari mogli primjenjivati prednosti uočene u prethodnom jedrenju. Što se tiče uspješnosti nakon jedrenja nakon matematičke obrade svih relevantnih podataka, pobjednici dana su kasniji ukupni pobjednici regate, momci s X-Citea. Oni su u prvom plovu zauzeli drugo mjesto, a u iduća dva su napravili jedini mogući iskorak. Duplo više bodova imala je posada Mareusa II s 1., 3. i 4. mjestom, a osvojenu poziciju i oni zadržavaju na kraju regate. Tri mjesta iza njih završava posada jedrilice Mr.J koji je u subotu osvojio 3., 5. i još jedno 3. mjesto. Međutim, sutradan ispuštaju mjesto na postolju za samo jedan bod, a broncu im je preuzela posada jedrilice Filip. Oni su naime u subotu nakon DNF-a u prvom plovu jedrili izvrsno i osvojili dva druga mjesta. S obzirom da se nakon odjedrenog četvrtog plova primjenjuje odbacivanje jednog najlošijeg rezultata, 5. mjesto u navigacijskom jedrenju bilo im je dovoljno za slavlje na ovoj premijeri. A u nedjelju na moru ispred Zadra bio je pravi proljetni dan kao naručen za šetnju po rivi i generiranje vitamina D. 📸 regate.com.hr S obzirom na samo nekoliko čvorova istočnjaka, Regatni odbor postavlja startnu liniju za navigacijski plov koji se jedrio do Ždrelca i natrag. Pritisak je bio konstantan cijelom rutom. Čak se nije toliko osjetilo zakretanje na jugo, ali kobno je bilo nastavljanje tranzicije prema maestralu kad se stvorila "rupa" praktički ispred samog cilja. Neki su u njoj zapeli malo više nego što su htjeli, dok su neki uspjeli profitirati, a tko je i kako prošao možete pronaći u hrpi podataka spremnih za analizu, a dostupnih preko donjih linkova: Rezultati 1. plov 2. plov 3. plov 4. plov - navigacija Statistika STAT - 1. PLOV STAT - 2. PLOV STAT - 3. PLOV Playbackovi P L A Y B A C K - 1. PLOV P L A Y B A C K - 2. PLOV P L A Y B A C K - 3. PLOV P L A Y B A C K - 4. PLOV - NAVIGACIJA Iduća regata za CRO ORC D-Marin Cup jedri se u Šibeniku 01. i 02. svibnja. READ MORE

PYEWACKET WINS 2021 NEWPORT TO CABO SAN LUCAS YACHT RACE North Sails Expert Brian Janney Shares Insights ©️ Bronny Daniels / Joysailing.org Tell us about the conditions of the race. The race start in a light air, 8 knots and we were headed south, sailing upwind. Our forecast said that the cold front and westerly winds would pick up around 4pm the first day. It came true, we then started to sail in 20+ knots all the way to the finish. The last 30 miles lightened up to around 14 knots. Our best 24 hour run was avg of 19.34 knots boat speed, sailing 464nm (the Cabo race is rated around 800 miles). How did this year's race differ from previous years? It was windy from the first night until all of the boats crossed the finishline. I think it was a fast race for everyone this year! What was your sail inventory for the race? We have a 100% North Sails inventory. The boat got the turbo mast (+3m taller than a standard VO70) in 2016 and came with a full suite of 3Di upwind sails. Roy has started to replace the inventory. We currently have a 3Di Mainsail (and she's seen many, many miles!), MH0, J0, J2, Helix J4, A2, Helix A3, FR0, Helix Genoa Staysail, 3Di Storm Jib Staysail. Why is 3Di great for offshore racing? Volvo 70 sails were heavy when they used 3DL now with 3Di the sails weigh less which is a big deal when you have to move the sail stack every gybe. Another benefit is how strong the sails are, because they are composite and not a laminate we don’t need to be worried about mylar cracking or the sail delaminating. What benefits did your Helix A3 provide as far as speed? The new 3Di Downwind 600 is an amazing product both in construction and how it flies. We have load cells at every tack point on the boat and with our old paneled A3 we would have 8,000 kg on the tack point, in 20 knots of wind we were seeing 5,500 kg! That's a huge load reduction. We saw the same thing with our new Helix J4 the tack loads have been reduced by at least 20%. Because the 3Di sail doesn’t stretch as much, every time we got a puff you could feel the boat accelerate. How did conditions leading up to the race helped you decide on sail inventory selection? Starting a week out Peter Isler (our navigator) saw it was looking like a windy race was going to happen. Each day that he ran the new weather models the difference between slow and fast routes kept shrinking and lining up. We started the discussion 2 days before the start about what sails to take. Because the forecast looked good we decided to take off the J0 (masthead jib). We almost took the J2 off of the boat but because we were worried about the exit out of Newport Beach and having to keep up with Rio 100 we took it with us, sadly we never used it. Was there one sail in particular that “saved the day” during the race? Hands down the new Helix A3! Can’t say enough about that sail. What did you do personally and with your team to prepare for this race? We sailed the Islands Race which was also windy and good practice for the Cabo race. Most of the teams did the same thing. Since we had a few new sails for the boat we were lucky to have Steve Calder, lead downwind sail designer for North Sails, come out and look at our set up. With Helix sails, you need to make sure you have the correct luff tension. What’s your best piece of advice for those looking to tackle the race next year? The Cabo race is every other year, next year is the San Diego to PV race (1,000 miles) I would do the So. Cal 300 this year, Islands Race next year then PV. How does it feel to set a new monohull record for the race? And win overall? It's always something special because it is so hard to do, you don’t only need a fast boat but need Mother Nature to work with you. Because of our canting keel and powered winches we never think there is a chance to win the Overall, that was a big surprise to all of us! I know Roy is really happy with how the boat and team performed. What is Pyewacket doing in preparation for the Transpac? We have a new Main, Helix J2, R2 (Fr0 replacement) and Helix Inner Staysail that will be delivered before the Transpac. With the new 3Di tape layouts we are going to save almost 10% on the weight of the main. We are going to sail the Newport to Ensenada Race and have a few sailing days in June. Our goal for Transpac is to be First to Finish, there a few boats who will also be in contention (Rio 100, Lucky- mini maxi 72) Why should clients on the west coast choose North Sails? The sail technology speaks for itself, but the people really make the difference. Just look at all of the offshore experience we have working for us. A customer needs to trust that their sales rep is recommending the correct tool for the job and I know we have a team working at North that can answer that question. One upgrade people should look at doing is adding the zipper system to their spinnakers. It cuts down on trash going into the water and it's also faster to pack the sail than using yarn. READ MORE

CUSTOM SAILS: WHAT GOES INTO THEM? Every Sail is Designed to Match Specific Customer Requirements 📸 Paul Wyeth All North Sails are designed and built to match the specific customer requirements. According to our Director of Design and Engineering JB Braun, the result is that each sail made in a North loft is custom and personalized to your boat and sailing style. “As much as we would like to compartmentalize them into some type of standard feature or standard item to try to reduce the costs… the reality is, all the sails we build are custom.” Why does North put so much time into each and every sail? Because each and every customer and boat is slightly different. That’s why we’ve taken all the knowledge acquired from building high-end race inventories and let it trickle down to our cruising customers, because you, too, deserve a sail that perfectly fits both your boat and your sailing plans. A custom sail design unique to each boat and sailor The seamless collaboration between the sales and design teams at North is what makes such customization possible, JB explains. “The sales consultant works with the customer to define their goals and objectives. That information goes directly to the designer, who also takes into account the boat’s displacement, righting moment, sail area, type of sail, etc.” How the customer interview influences the sail design North Sail expert Mark Sadler says that initial discussion with the client is the most important step, because it helps him to establish exact requirements. “The next most important thing is being sure the design team has a clear understanding of the requirements and can feed back solutions.” North Sail expert Hugues Destremau starts by asking what kind of sailing you intend to do. Your questions back to him might be more specific: “Why is this material better than this one? Which color will my sail be? How long is it going to last?” For help, he reaches out to the design team. The designer recommends a product tier and specific material, and clarifies any unique details. You might even specify a desired “sweet spot” for a sail. JB gives an example; “I want the range of the sail to be 12 to 18 knots, and I want it to be the best at 14 knots.” All of that information is entered into the order. Next, the designer creates a model of your boat on-screen and chooses the closest option from North’s extensive sail design library. Narrowing down to what’s best from a vast database of virtual shapes is why the sail consultant is so valuable, JB explains. “Their experience with the product, their experience as a sailor, their experience with the customer is a huge value to North.” The designer uses that additional input to decide on an exact design direction. “Once we’ve done that, a customized design pops up on screen with all the details in it. The result of all that work is a sail design uniquely set up for your boat and sailing style.” 📸 Jeff Brown Capturing the final details In addition to basic dimensions and shape, the final design includes all the sail information the production team will need: the number and placement of battens and reefs, choices like bolt ropes or slides, and potential chafe locations (lifeline stanchions, pulpits, etc). The information gathering and design process are exactly the same whether you order a 3Di or paneled sail; it’s only once the sail starts the manufacturing process that the two types diverge. “If it’s a paneled sail”, says JB, “the panels will be laser cut and manufactured to the three-dimensional shape. If it’s a 3Di sail, the material is laid onto a three-dimensional mold and then vacuum-bagged and thermoformed into that customized shape, with all of the reinforcing details and additions that were ordered by the customer.” Better Value with a North Custom Sail “Selling each and every customer a custom sail provides the best value in the long run,” JB says. “And North customers get an unbelievable deal when they buy sails because we guarantee a perfect fit that will lead to a better experience on the water. We have always gone about the design, engineering, and manufacturing to make it the best that we possibly can, period—and then we figure out how to do it cost-effectively. Our sails are far from the normal, stereotypical design, because that’s not how we do things. It is a unique process—and a better value for the customer.” 📸 Robert Bateman Photography How to spec your perfect sail Choosing a custom sail inventory that’s right for you and your boat might seem overwhelming at first. Fortunately, boat size and your sailing plans will quickly narrow down what tier of materials will be the best match. From there, your sail consultant will work with you to fine tune the details, based on the intended use. “If someone is totally into durability, they’ll be steered toward our 3Di ENDURANCE line,” JB says. “If they’re totally into performance, 3Di RAW will be their best option. If they’re in the middle, we have products for that too.” Another way sail consultants ensure a perfect match is by actually measuring your boat—even if it is already in the design library. “A customer might have added more rake or have a different furler. One person wants a higher clew, the other a lower one.” And if you’ve had a sail built by North since 1990, JB can almost guarantee it’s in the database. 📸 Cate Brown Future designs built to a perfect fit Another process the North Design Suite makes possible is to design and build sails for boats that don’t exist yet. “I’m working on one project that won’t launch until 2023,” JB says. Designing sails for a not-yet-built boat makes it possible to optimize the entire aerodynamic package by including input from the customer, hull and mast designers, and project manager. “Everyone works together to satisfy the objectives of the client. It’s a circular process; you design a hull, mast, and sails—that’s one design cycle. Does that performance meet our objectives? Maybe the hull needs to be lighter. So you go through the design cycle again.” JB is old enough to remember a less scientific approach to sail design. “Years ago, it was much more of a gut feel because you didn’t have as much information. We’re lucky to be able to run these simulations and come up with answers virtually. You don’t ever have all the answers, but you have many more pieces to the puzzle to make informed decisions, which leads to much better accuracy.” Still in awe After more than two decades with North Sails, JB still marvels at the level of detailed attention that goes into each and every sail order. “The whole thing is an unbelievable process when you think about it. I don’t think everybody realizes what’s going into these sails—it’s just amazing. There aren’t many industries that have the ability to customize a three-dimensional object!” And it’s not just the details that impress him—it’s the final result. “I just look at these sails and I’m always in wonder of them—it’s a fantastic product. Big boats, little boats—we have all different products that are engineered and designed to satisfy the goals and objectives of each and every client.” Custom sails? Yes, every single one.   REQUEST A QUOTE TALK TO AN EXPERT 📸 Stuart Pearce READ MORE

MISS SILVER LIFTS THE MILLENNIUM CUP Celebrating Victory in Style with 3Di OCEAN Miss Silver sporting her new 3Di OCEAN sails 📸 Jeff Brown/Breed Media As the South Pacific’s longest-running superyacht regatta, the Millennium Cup saw five superyachts and a selection of North Sails experts race in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. Occasionally joined by the lively local dolphin pod, the sailors enjoyed a fun yet competitive regatta, which marked the close of an exciting season of racing in New Zealand. Throughout the regatta, the 36.2-meter Alloy Yacht Miss Silver maintained the overall lead, powered to victory after winning every race with her new North 3Di OCEAN sails. North experts Richard Bicknell and Matt Kelway, onboard as trimmer and bow, sailed on Miss Silver during the Millennium Cup. Both were delighted with the team’s result and the performance of the new sail inventory. Bicknell remarked: “We are all thrilled with the win and in particular our fantastic racing on Day 2. Owner Chris Meehan and Skipper Wayne Avery have put together a great program, with one of the upgrades being a complete set of 3Di sails. The Millennium Cup win tops off a fantastic season that includes collecting second-place at the Mastercard Cup earlier this year. At the prize-giving, Chris mentioned he would be back, so exciting times lie ahead for Miss Silver.” Tawera and Sassafras finished in second and third place overall, respectively. Onboard Sassafras was Sales Manager Andrew Wills: “Conditions were different from the typical Bay of Islands weather, likely because the regatta got postponed by over a month due to weather conditions” he comments. “The light wind was paired with lumpy swell and overcast skies, but despite this, a lot of fun took place both on and off the water!” Sit back and enjoy browsing the awe-inspiring images captured by Jeff Brown of these beautiful boats in action: Sassafras 📸 Jeff Brown/Breed Media Miss Silver 📸 Jeff Brown/Breed Media Catalina 📸 Jeff Brown/Breed Media Sassafras 📸 Jeff Brown/Breed Media Catalina 📸 Jeff Brown/Breed Media Catalina 📸 Jeff Brown/Breed Media Miss Silver 📸 Jeff Brown/Breed Media 📸 Jeff Brown/Breed Media READ MORE

In episode three we get technical again and aim to answer a burning question: what is the “Engine Above Deck”? You might think it’s a pretty straight forward answer (no, there’s no literal engine). And, at first it kind of is, but once you dive into it, it’s actually quite complex. Press play to learn all there is to know. READ MORE

Otvoreno Prvenstvo Hrvatske za Laser Standard & Laser 4.7 📸 regate.com.hr Prvenstvo Hrvatske za klase Laser Standard i Laser 4.7, čiji originalni termin je trebao biti od 5. do 7. ožujka, organizirano je u Korona free terminu od 26. do 28. ožujka. Ukupno je sudjelovalo 57 jedriličara i jedriličarki iz Hrvatske, Crne Gore, Mađarske, Italije, Poljske, Rusije, Irske, Češke, Cipra, Srbije i Slovenije. Juniorski dio flote standardno je bio brojniji i u njoj je jedrilo 11 jedriličarki i 23 jedriličara, dok je u muškoj olimpijskoj inačici jedrilo 23 jedriličara. Domaćin Prvenstva bio je već tradicionalno JK Mornar na čijem je platou bila smještena većina flote, a zona jedrenja smještena je ispred Splitske luke i otoka Čiova. Prvi dan natjecanja bio je petak, a osnovna karakteristika nije mu bila izdašna vjetrovitost. Dosta dugo se čekalo na vjetar. Dovoljno vjetra za pozivanje jedriličara na more bilo je tek iza 14 sati. Tada je RO poveo jedrilice prema jugoistoku jer je lagani južin stvarao privid formiranja stabilnih regatnih uvjeta. Međutim, ubrzo okreće u desno i svi mijenjaju kurs za skoro 90° i jedre prema području na kojem se formirao lagani maestral koji je na kraju puhao do zalaska sunca. Prvi su startali Standardi, a nakon njih su na redu bili njihovi nasljednici. S obzirom da je u zoni startne linije vladao kontrakurenat mlade snage su imale dosta problema sa startanjem, jer ih je morska struja kontinuirano gurala preko linije, pa je naposljetku start uspio tek s crnom zastavom i s desetkovanom flotom. Zbog vremena koje su Laseri 4.7 izgubili za start prvog plova nije bilo smisla da ih se pošalje i u drugi plov jer ne bi ušli u cilj do zalaska sunca, a to se upravo desilo Standardima u njihovom drugom plovu. Kako su oni prvi startali i na njih nije utjecao gubitak vremena koje su imali Laseri 4.7, a i vjetar je bio zadovoljavajućih 7-8 čvorova, Regatni odbor ih je pustio u drugi plov. Tijekom jedrenja došlo je do slabljenja maestrala, ali procijenjeno je da će ipak imati dovoljno vremena da svi stignu do cilja. Procjena je bila ispravna, a nakon iznimno napete igre živaca do svoje prve pobjede u impresivnom nizu od njih tri dolazi ovogodišnji Prvak Hrvatske, Tonči Stipanović: Mislim da smo organizacijski stvarno uspjeli izvući maksimum u ova tri dana. Prvi dan smo, što inače nismo navikli, vratili smo se na kraj po mraku, ali mi u Standardu smo uspjeli odjedriti dvije lijepe regatice. Već nakon tog dana bio sam poprilično zadovoljan, dok je drugi dan zapuhalo jugo koje mi je stvarno odgovaralo. Bio sam maksimalno koncentriran, kao da se radi o svjetskom prvenstvu. Borio sam se za najbolje pozicije na startu i jednostavno nisam nikome ostavljao prostora da možda starta bolje od mene. Prvi plov sam na orci bio peti i već kroz krmu sam dolje okrenuo drugi i pametnim jedrenjem tu regatu u cilj ušao kao pobjednik. Drugu sam, može se reći, rutinski odradio i bez problema stigao prvi do cilja. I treću regatu u subotu bio koncentracija je bila na maksimumu. Ja i Filip stižemo kao prvi i drugi na bovu od orce i imali smo malu borbu u prvoj krmi kad sam ga uspio prijeći i povesti drugu orcu, ali možda sekunda nepažnje ili mali nedostatak sreće... to jugo je otišlo 10-15° stupnjeva u desno i nisam uspio Filipa zatvoriti. On je otišao na tu desnu stranu, a ja sam taj prvi repiket otišao u lijevu, pa sam tu izgubio i od Filipa i od Sergeja, ali sve u svemu prezadovoljan sam jedrenje u tom drugom danu. A u nedjelju smo imali samo jedan plov. Ja sam imao vrlo dobar start. Ja i Pavlos smo se borili za start na pinu, jer smo vjerovali da će biti više vjetra na lijevoj strani. Također je bio i kurenat u bok, pa smo to iskoristili i došli kao prva dva na bovu od orce. I onda sam ga u zadnjoj krmi uspio prestići. Inače prezadovoljan sam cijelim svojim izdanjem ovog vikenda. Opremu sam stvarno dobro posložio tako da sam se sva tri dana osjećao i brzo i moćno. Ni u jednom trenu nisam sumnjao u svoju brzinu, a nakon toga je stvarno lako jedriti. Tonči Stipanović, JK Mornar Do kraja regate Tonći je skupio tako malo bodova da mu nitko nije mogao ugroziti još jednu, devetu, titulu. Nakon jednog odbacivanja ukupni zbroj bio mu je 7 bodova, a najlošiji rezultat (koji je odbacio) bio je 5. mjesto iz prvog plova, a od šest održanih plovova pobijedio je u čak četiri! Preostale dvije pobjede odnijeli su drugo i treće plasirani. Na drugom mjestu završio je lanjski prvak Hrvatske, Filip Jurišić. Popularni Gašo, također je dosta kontinuirano jedrio cijelu regatu i jedini ozbiljniji kiks imao je u nedjelju s osmim mjestom. Ukupno je osvojio 17 bodova, a koliko je vrijedno njegovo srebro najbolje govori podataka da su svi jedriličari između drugog i šestog mjesta bili raspoređeni sa po jednim bodom međusobne razlike. Inače, na trećem mjestu završava Ruski reprezentativac Sergei Komissarov. Prvi idući hrvatski jedriličar bio je Stipe Gašpić na desetom mjestu, s dva boda prednosti ispred brata mu Bruna na 11. mjestu. Zanimljivo je da su u regati jedrila još dva brata, ali ne Hrvati, već Mađari. Rijeć je o Jonatanu i Benjaminu Vadnaiju koji su završili kao 7. i 8. također s dva boda međusobne razlike. U floti je inače bilo deset jedriličara s CRO oznakama na jedrima. Možda malo iznenađuje da je olimpijski medaljonoša i dvostruki svjetski prvak, Pavlos Kontides, završio na 6. mjestu. Razlog je što nije bio u 100 postotnom izdanju, jer se tek oporavio od Korone i za vrijeme PH još je bio u fazi vraćanja u formu nakon dvotjedne izolacije. Brojnija flota, juniori u Laseru 4.7 odjedrila je jedan plov manje, ukupno pet. Međutim i taj broj bio je dovoljan za jedno odbacivanje. Zanimljivo je da je pobjednik ove flote imao jednak broj bodova kao Stipanović, a sa zlatom u apsolutnoj konkurenciji ovjenčao se Crnogorski jedriličar Nikola Golubić. 📸 regate.com.hr Nikola je svoju pobjedu osigurao u drugom dijelu natjecanja kad je dva puta osvojio plov i jednom bio drugi, dok je u prva dva plova s dvije pobjede izrazito dominirala Petra Marendić, aktualna Europska prvakinja u konkurenciji U16. Na kraju je Petra bila četiri boda iza Nikole. Također vrlo dobro je jedrio i trećeplasirani jedriličar, jedini talijanski predstavnik, Raffaele Milano. Broncu je osvojio s tri boda više od Petre. Istina, Raffaele nije startao u posljednjem plovu, pa mu sigurno ostaje žal za možebitnim boljim konačnim rezulatom, ali i taj DNS je dio natjecanja. A što se tiče ranije spomenute crne zastave na startu prvog plova, na kraju se s BFD oznakom nije bodovalo samo sedam natjecatelja i natjecateljica! Konačne rezultate za obje flote možete pronaći na ovom linku. Uobičajeno je da se na ovakvim regatama sudionici dijele u različite dobne i spolne skupine. Tako je bilo i u Splitu ove godine, a dobavljači odličja sigurno su bili zadovoljni nakon narudžbe iz JK Mornar, jer su se nagrade dijelile u deset različitih kategorija. O kojim kategorijama je riječ i tko su slavodobitnici možete vidjeti na ovom popisu: Laser Standard Otvoreno PH Tonči Stipanović, JK Mornar Filip Jurišić, JK Mornar Sergei Komissarov, GBUMO Laser Standard PH Tonči Stipanović, JK Mornar Filip Jurišić, JK Mornar Stipe Gašpić, JK Labud Laser Standard Otvoreno PH U21 Bruno Gaspić, U21, 2001, JK Mornar Ilija Marković, U21, 2002, JK Delfin Theodor Middelthon, U21,2004, SSF Laser Standard PH U21 Bruno Gaspić, U21, 2001, JK Mornar Božidar Golubić, U21, 2001, JK Mornar Anton Tomašević, U21, 2004, JK Labud Otvoreno PH Laser 4.7 M Nikola Golubović, 2004, JK Delfin Raffaele Milano, 2005, RYCC SAVOIA Bendeguz Nagy, 2004, BYC PH Laser 4.7 M Tedi Leonardelli, U16, 2006, JK Vega Max Gjidera, 2004, JK Mornar Jere Bakotić, U16, 2007, JK Split Otvoreno PH Laser 4.7 Ž Petra Marendić, U18, 2005, Mornar Carla de Carina, U18, 2004, Val Crikvenica Helena Jakšić, U18, 2005, Mornar PH Laser 4.7 Ž Petra Marendić, U18, 2005, JK Mornar Carla de Carina, U18, 2004, JD Val Crikvenica Helena Jakšić, U18, 2005, JK Mornar Otvoreno PH Laser 4.7 M U16 Igor Mirowski, U16, 2006, AZS Tedi Leonardelli, U16, 2006, JK Vega Jere Bakotić, U16, 2007, JK Split PH Laser 4.7 M U16 Tedi Leonardelli, U16, 2006, JK Vega Jere Bakotić, U16, 2007, JK Split Niko Jakelić, U16, 2006, JK Mornar Čestitke svima, od organizatora do natjecatelja, a posebno društvu s titulama! Što se tiče Laser Radiala, njihovo Prvenstvo Hrvatske također će organizirati JK Mornar, ali za sada je datum održavanja još uvijek nepoznat. Do tada će sigurno biti organizirano više "običnih" regata, a prva koja je na redu je kriterijska regata u Betini za dva tjedna, dok će za to vrijeme naš najbolji dvojac otputovati u Villamouru u kojoj će se pripremati i čekati veliku regatu koja se inače trebala jedriti u Hyeresu. Na njoj će se podijeliti dva posljednja mjesta za Europske jedriličare koji žele jedriti u Tokiju, tako da se očekuje vrlo jaka konkurencija, što će sigurno rezultirati i vrlo dobrim jedrenjem. READ MORE

#NSVICTORYLIST: GENOVA SAILING WEEK North Clients Celebrate Success in Every Class 📸 Martina Orsini/Yacht Club Italiano Genova Sailing Week is a highlight regatta in the Italian sailing calendar every year. Hosted by the prestigious Yacht Club Italiano, the event saw 37 yachts of great variety make up three classes to take to Genoa's waters. The regatta proved a great success for all North Sails clients after winning ORC Group 1, ORC Group 2, and IRC classes with Katarina II, Low Noise, and Imxtinente, respectively. But these results were all to play for up until the third and final day of racing which determined the winning teams. Conditions were consistent with the previous days, bringing a south-easterly breeze of 7 - 10 knots, allowing the Race Committee to give two more starts. In the ORC group A, victory was confirmed by Aivar Tuulberg's Swan 42 Katarina II. Driven by Lorenzo Bodini, the strong Estonian crew used the regatta to prepare for the upcoming ORC World Championship in Tallinn, Estonia, this summer. Finishing closely behind was Francesco Zucchi’s Swan 42, Voloira IV, and in third, to complete the trio of Nautor's Swans on the podium, Alberto Magnani’s Swan 45 Tengher. North expert Matteo Reboli raced onboard Dabove Valerio’s IY 998 Low Noise as mainsail trimmer. With their scorecard showing bullets in all but one race, the team performed in every race powered by their 3Di RAW inventory. Piero Arduino’s First 31.7 Tekno finished just one point behind. “Genova Sailing Week has been an amazing sailing rendezvous in our home water and club,'' comments Matteo. "Hosted by the Yacht Club Italiano, the regatta was well organized and a great success!'' 📸 Martina Orsini/Yacht Club Italiano 📸 Martina Orsini/Yacht Club Italiano 📸 Martina Orsini/Yacht Club Italiano 📸 Martina Orsini/Yacht Club Italiano 📸 Martina Orsini/Yacht Club Italiano 📸 Martina Orsini/Yacht Club Italiano 📸 Martina Orsini/Yacht Club Italiano READ MORE