NORTH SAILS BLOG

FAISONS ÉQUIPE POUR ACCÉDER AUX MEILLEURS PRIX Pour bénéficier de rabais importants, commandez vos voiles entre juin et juillet North Sails accorde désormais la tarification de ses voiles au taux d’occupation de ses ateliers de fabrication. CONTACTEZ-NOUS DÈS MAINTENANT ! Par téléphone au 022 782 32 22 ou par email à info@ch.northsails.com Téléchargez la brochure complète ici. Demandez votre devis en ligne ! READ MORE

DER VORLÄUFIGE SAISONHÖHEPUNKT Die Drachen SM 2019 in Steckborn Am vergangenen Wochenende wurden sowohl in der Drachen- wie auch der Starklasse die neuen Schweizermeister gekürt. North Sails Schweiz gratuliert herzlich und ist stolz, Segellieferant der beiden Schweizermeister zu sein! Die sehr gute Regattaorganisation und wie im YCS-Standard üblich, war auch das Vermessen und Kranen top organisiert und sehr speditiv. Die Regattatage begannen mit Schönwetter (wie fast jedes Mal am Untersee) und wir konnten im Verlauf der 4 SM-Tage total 5 teilweise sehr schöne, meist schwachwindige Läufe segeln. Mit den Rängen 1-1-1-2-11 konnten wir die Meisterschaft knapp mit 1 Punkt Vorsprung vor dem favorisierten Team Wittwer aus Thun und vor dem Team Reisacher aus Staad für uns entscheiden. Am Abend des SM-Siegs haben wir noch recht ausgelassen gefeiert. Besten Dank an den YCS unter der Leitung von Urs Ruppli (ebenfalls North Segel) für die tolle und nicht überladene, absolut gelungene SM 2019. Norbert Stadler, Ralph Müntener, Urs Burger SUI 297 Tachiston. Rangliste 📸 Werner Münger Star Schweizermeisterschaft in Luzern Auch diese Meisterschaft mit 25 Teams aus 5 Nationen wurde nicht gerade vom Wind verwöhnt. Trotzdem konnten an drei Tagen jeweils 2 Schwachwindläufe gesegelt werden, wobei der Wind zum Teil recht löchrig war. Aber die Wettfahrtleitung unter Peter Stucki hatte das Beste aus den Bedingungen gemacht und für alle faire Läufe gesteckt. Gewonnen hat nach den sechs ausgeschriebenen Läufen das Team Benu Seger / Walter Oess. Sie fuhren mit dem Grosssegel M-16 und der J-1F Fock Swiss Star Class Der Event war ein Erfolg, auch wenn die Regatten nicht den gewünschten Erfordernissen zu einer Meisterschaft in Bezug Lauflängen und den Windstärken entsprochen haben. Speziellen Dank geht an den Yacht Club Luzern, der mit seiner Gastlichkeit uns über die 4 Tage sehr verwöhnt haben. Sei dies mit einer hervorragenden Organisation, Verköstigungen und stets Nachgefüllten Fässer Bier und mit den freundlichen' Barmaids' am AVIA Bar-Wagen. Aber auch ein Dankeschön der Wettfahrtleitung, Jury und allen Helfer - auch jenen der Starflotte LUV. Rangliste READ MORE

CLASSE MINI TROPHÉE MARIE-AGNÈS PÉRON De beaux résultats pour les voiles North Sails 📸 Simon Jourdan / Winches Club Les prévisions météorologiques auront eu raison du comité de course. En effet, la dépression Miguel a obligé le comité à avancer le départ de la 15e édition du Trophée Marie-Agnès Péron au jeudi 6 juin et à réduire le parcours à 90 miles entre la mer d’Iroise et la Bretagne Sud. Le nouveau parcours fut une superbe course de vitesse durant laquelle nos coureurs ont brillé. En classement série, Ambrogio Beccaria (Geomag/ ITA 943) s’adjuge la première place. Félix de Navacelle (FRA 916) et Jean-René Guilloux (Crédit Agricole 35/ FRA 915) se placent respectivement 3ème et 4ème. En classement prototype, après une lutte acharnée, Axel Tréhin (FRA 945) monte sur la plus haute marche du podium, et n’est plus, comme il se nommait "poulie d’or de la voile". Prochaine étape: le mythique phare du Fastnet dont le départ sera lancé le dimanche 16 juin 2019. READ MORE

CUSTOMER CORNER: TORONTO ISLAND SAILING CLUB Members Come Together To Support A Great Cause Toronto Island Sailing Club (TISC) hosted our Season Launch Party on the evening of May 11, 2019. Our Launch event is our kickoff event of the season where we welcome our new members to our club. Most importantly, our event includes a silent auction and all the proceeds from the event go directly to offsetting the high costs of running our community sailing club. This year, thanks to North Sails, we were able to add a raffle to our evening which was a great addition to the party – providing additional revenue for the club and creating a lot of exciting conversation amongst our attendees. Toronto Island Sailing Club is a non-profit community-based club with between 90 and 150 members. We have 14 Albacores (dinghies), 3 Lasers and 2 Hobies at our clubhouse on Centre Island. Our club is completely volunteer driven and offers members of all skill levels an affordable opportunity to learn to sail through instructed CANSail 1, 2, 3 and 4 level courses. Thanks to the commitment and passion of our membership and the generous donations from regional businesses our club is celebrating our 54th anniversary this year. Thanks to North Sails, we added a raffle to our evening providing additional revenue for the club and creating a lot of exciting conversation amongst our attendees. Our 2019 Launch event was kindly hosted by Boxcar Social Harbourfront with a delicious selection of food and craft beverages and a fantastic view of Toronto’s inner harbour. We had 45 attendees, with 14 new members and raised over $2,000 from our silent auction and raffle thanks to our donors. North Sails Toronto generously provided us with a number of high quality apparel and educational resources on sail care and trim, in additional to our raffle prize, all of which were in high demand from both our novice and seasoned members. Thank you North Sails for helping our event to be a huge success! Sincerely, Sarah McMillan 2019 Social Director READ MORE

THE COLDEST ONE YET Racers Take On The Elements For The Susan Hood Trophy Race Conditions were less than ideal this year for the 2019 edition of the Susan Hood Trophy Race out of Port Credit Yacht Club last Friday May 31st. Lack of wind combined with low temperatures and high water levels meant racers were on their A game for the 75 nm race around Lake Ontario. As exclusive sailmaker sponsor of the #SusanHoodTR and the Lake Ontario 300, the team from North Sails Toronto were onsite assisting racers with last minute prep including onsite repair, drop-offs and tuning. It was great to see many customers trying out new sails on the course and, for many, achieving great success with their new additions. For Blast, a Beneteau 10R owned by Chris Bobyk out of Mimico Cruising Club, their new Code Zero was exactly what the team needed; helping them win the start: Team Blast could not be happier with their new North Code 0. We had a distance race reaching sail inventory hole to fill between the genoa and our Asymmetrical kites . The code 0 acquisition recommended by North after consultation was the right choice for optimal performance, giving us a sail inventory for all wind angle conditions. The internal torsion rope made furling an ease and its construction and overall performance is impressive. For Craig Pirie and Darren Gornall, skippers and owners of Soto 40 Afterburn, they tested out their new Helix powered Code Zero. Local North Sails expert, Hugh Beaton, was onboard to help the crew test their new addition. Post-racing Craig recalls: The sail is certainly much more forgiving (bigger sweet spot) than our old Code. With the wind sheer and the shifting breeze to have the leading edge retain its shape and not fully collapse when the apparent wind angle gets too hot is a huge improvement. Not having to go through the whole process of taking the boat down to 120 True to get the sail reattached and flying again and then slowly working back up to tighter angles at 80 or 90 true is a great advantage. As Tim mentioned the weight reduction is a great improvement for moving the sail around the boat and getting it launched and then retrieving it and putting it away. The race saw 92 boats registered, a fantastic number for Lake Ontario, and on the start line. Mike Brown, owner of Windburn, a C+C30 from National Yacht Club, had his full suit of 3Di sails out which included a 3Di Raw Mainsail and 3Di Race Genoa. All in all, racers had a great time on the water with the unofficial kick-off race of the season. Next up for distance racing is the Lake Ontario 300 in July. READ MORE

STORSLAM FÖR NORTH SAILS PÅ MARSTRAND BIG BOAT RACE Förmågan att behärska hårda vindar, starka strömmar och stötig sjö visade sig avgörande i årets Marstrand Big Boat Race Vinnare Stora klassen: Sten Haeger, X-41 Kwanza Valet av segel verkar också ha spelat roll - alla de tre klassvinsterna och sju av nio pallplatser tog med båtar utrustade med våra segel! Den stora nyheten i årets upplaga av regattan, som avgjordes 1 - 2 juni, var att det förutom lilla och stora klassen även fanns en separat klass för sportbåtar. De totalt 66 båtarna från Sverige, Norge, Danmark och Tyskland möttes av utmanande förhållanden, särskilt under lördagen, med hårda vindar, stark ström och stötig sjö. Mot slutet av andra seglingen ökade vinden ytterligare och tävlingsledningen beslutade att ställa in dagens sista segling. Det var klokt. En mast hade redan gått överbord, och mer kunde ha hänt; båtarna hann knappt i hamn innan det riktiga busvädret drog in över Marstrand. Söndagen bjöd på lugnare vindar och till och med lite sol, och dagens tre race kunde genomföras helt enligt plan. Totalt sett kan man inte säga annat än att det var rättvisa förhållanden från början till slut. Det var således tre värdiga vinnare som till slut kunde koras, om vi nu får säga det med tanke på att Henrik Ottosson och Andreas Turesson från North Sails Göteborg var med ombord på de vinnande båtarna i stora respektive lilla klassen. Vi hade mer än så att glädjas över. Mer än hälften av flottan var utrustade med North-segel, och i toppen av resultatlistorna var andelen ännu större: Alla de tre klassvinsterna och totalt sju av nio pallplatser togs av båtar med våra segel! Vi gratulerar alla pristagare och tackar Hjuviks Båtklubb och Marstrands Segelsällskap för en mycket väl genomförd regatta. Ett extra stort grattis riktar vi förstås till våra kunder på prispallen: Stora klassen 1. Sten Haeger, X-41 Kwanza 2. Jonas Grander, Elliot 44 CR Matador Lilla klassen 1. Peter Gustavsson, J/111 Blur 2. Lars Wikander, FinnFlyer 36 Zlatan 3. Mattias Wilson, Bavaria 38 match Draklunne Sportbåtsklassen 1. Pär Svärdson, Fareast 28r happyyachting.com 3. Carl Fjällman, Archambault Grand Surprise Rebellion Vinnare Lilla klassen: Peter Gustavsson, J/111 Blur. Vinnare Sportbåtsklassen: Pär Svärdson, Fareast 28r happyyachting.com READ MORE

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KIWI TEAM WIN THE JJ GILTINAN TROPHY The Kiwi 18-foot skiff team aboard Honda Marine showed their class by defending their title in style 📸 Suellen Davies /LiveSailDie Skipper Dave McDiarmid, Brad Collins and North Sails expert Matt Steven won the prestigious event with a race to spare, showing the highly competitive Australians that their win in 2018 - the first victory by a Kiwi team in 44 years - was no fluke. The Honda Marine team completed the regatta with a scoreline of five wins, two second placings and one fourth placing in the nine-race series. Two other Kiwi teams in the event also placed strongly, with Josh Porebski, Jack Simpson and Dave Hazard on ASCC finishing fourth overall, and C-Tech (Alex Vallings, Sam Trethaway and Matt Coutts) eighth out of 25 crews. The Australian 18-foot skiff fleet was looking stronger than ever, with some past champions being brought out of retirement to try to wrest the trophy back from the Kiwis and some boats getting new rigs and sail wardrobes. However, Steven says the Honda Marine team went into the regatta well prepared, both physically and psychologically. "We had a different mind-set this year, going in to defend the title. We knew that we would be targeted by the Australian teams, and that they would throw everything they could at us." The boat also had two new North 3Di jibs as well as a new gennaker (to replace one stolen after last year’s competition), but the team continued to use the 3Di mainsail they won with in 2018. "We used that same sail for all our training and the racing both years, which shows the durability of 3Di," says Steven. "We have done about 35 days’ sailing this season and it was still good enough for a big regatta like this." This year’s regatta was sailed mostly in light conditions of 5–12 knots, with the skiffs sailing under their number one rigs. Steven says despite the Honda Marine team favouring slightly stronger winds and their number two rig, they had worked hard to optimise their bigger rig set-up, which paid dividends in Sydney. "You always go over there not really knowing how fast you’re going. Because it’s a development class, you never know if the Australians have come up with something new to give them an advantage. But they didn’t know how fast we would be, either." With victory — if not the actual JJ Giltinan Tropjy — in hand, debate has been reignited over whether Auckland could host the 2020 series. "We really want to have the JJ regatta here," says Steven. "For the class to keep growing and progressing we believe it should be shared around." READ MORE

DICK PARKER: NORTH SAILS DESIGNER AND SALESMAN We checked in with him to learn about his new role supporting the local Grand Prix market Dick Parker Dick grew up in Hobart and lived in Sydney for 10 years, so "I’m pretty familiar with it." His English wife and two daughters, though, have had to adjust to "the spiders and snakes and all that." But now that they’ve been there six months, they’re making friends and settling in and "it’s starting to be pretty good." Dick first joined North Sails Sydney in 1987 and worked there for ten years, until European sailing adventures called. But he returned to the southern hemisphere during the off-season; "I’ve had a lot of summers and not that many winters, actually." In 2001 he joined the OneWorld America’s Cup challenge, and then worked with Emirates Team New Zealand from 2005-2007. He rejoined North Sails full-time in 2007, based out of the UK, and started a family. Last year, they decided it was the right time to return to Sydney full-time. In addition to carrying on his design work, Dick is helping the local sales team service the Grand Prix market. "They do a lot of sailing in Australia, especially Sydney. You can find yourself a boat race every day of the week pretty much." Most of his customers are racing offshore, and he says their year-round focus is the Sydney Hobart Race. "You talk to customers and it's all about the buildup for the Hobart, what we need to do, what sails and crew. It really is a big deal down here." His primary sailing is on TP52s. "They're just such awesome boats. I love sailing on them. They're just the right size, not too many people which is quite nice. I really enjoy sailing them so I try to do as much of that as I can." This winter, he’ll race the Fastnet and Middle Sea races in addition to local events and Hamilton Island Race Week. When talking with customers, Dick says he keeps his explanations technical. "I just try and work on the facts. Clients don't necessarily need to be talked in to anything, if you can explain well enough exactly what's required. I tend to look at things more pragmatically, and at the whole project. A customer may say, ‘look, you know I've only got a certain amount to spend on sails.’ So it's a matter of trying to work out how best to spend that money. Whatever the sum might be." Dick's primary sailing is on TP52s Steering clients toward what will provide the biggest benefit to their program is a fringe benefit of more personalised selling, he says. "A customer might say, ‘I need to buy a new J2 jib.’ And you might sit down and have a heartfelt conversation and work out that what he actually needs is a new J3 or a new spinnaker. Looking at the whole sailing program rather than just selling an individual sail is the way I like to work." On the design side, Dick is excited about Helix and its potential across a wide range of boats and markets. He’s also continuing to help build the library of sail shapes for Desman, part of the proprietary North Design Suite. "All the designers around the world now use that bit of software," he says. "It takes a lot of the grunt work out of design. North Sails has built so many sails now that the actual shape is actually the easy part. Getting the sizing right, the geometry right, is the most challenging - and the most enjoyable." Since he first started with North Sails in 1987, Dick says the biggest change is the company’s global unity. "It feels like a big multi-national company being run by some guys who know how to run a big company, as opposed to a small bunch of franchises being run by sailors. So, it's certainly a different beast that's for sure." The software and products are always improving too, he adds. "3DL, then 3Di - we certainly changed the industry." One thing that hasn’t changed? He still loves getting out on the floor. "I get quite involved with re-cuts, trying to get a bit more life out of an old tired sail, which is a big thing in Australia. They tend to run their sails for a lot longer than the Europeans, trying to get the most out of their product. They'll hang on to a sail for four or five years and keep re-cutting and improving it, so we do a lot more re-cutting of sails down here than Europe. I really enjoy that side of it. It's sort of a black art; get the stick out and fair it up and see how it looks." Currently Dick’s work week is divided between global design work, Australian design work, and helping out with various projects. "I can design from pretty much anywhere really, because the company is so global." Once he wraps up a few projects, he plans to do more to support the local sales staff. "They have so many customers that it's hard to service them all." When he’s not working, Dick goes sailing on an NS14, which he describes as a small Taser. "Rotating ring, no spinnaker. I'm going to start sailing that with my girls as well." His two daughters have been learning to sail at the Avalon Sailing Club and will move into Manly Juniors next season. He also enjoys taking the family out on a small motorboat, "swimming and hanging out with the kids." Looking ahead, Dick’s excited about the future. "Certainly 3Di has a massive advantage over the competition. Delamination of string sails is just such a common problem when you get into the warmer climates, Asia and Australia, the sails just don't last. 3Di gives great value for customers; ultimately you just get so much more life out a 3Di sail verses a string sail, that is a real mantra down here for sure." When asked about any regatta wins he was particularly proud of, Dick has to stop and think. "With this line of work, all your goals seem to be your customer's goals, not necessarily yours. I haven't won Hobart, haven't won Fastnet, haven't won the Middle Sea Race. So there's a lot to do, still." READ MORE

NORTH U Termin ATTERSEE, 28. - 30. Juni 2019 North U 2019 / Schörfling auf Lago 26 oder eigenen Booten Inhalte Jeder Segler/in möchte gerne das Potential von Schiff und seiner Mannschaft ausschöpfen und erfolgreich segeln, sich weiterentwickeln und bei Regatten im besten Fall gewinnen. Segeln ist ein komplexes Unterfangen und Regattasegeln noch mehr: Trimm, Taktik, Boat Speed, Steuern, Regeln, Bootshandling, Crewarbeit... aber bekanntlich ist eine gute Bootsgeschwindigkeit ein wesentlicher Schlüssel zum Erfolg. Nicht immer sind dafür neue Segel notwendig, meistens gehören sie nur richtig eingestellt! Daher bieten wir ihnen die Möglichkeit mit Wissen und Praxis ihr Schiff und ihre Segel optimal einzustellen und das Erlernte sofort umzusetzen. Der Schwerpunkt der North Sails University liegt auf dem Segeltrimm. Fragen, Wünsche und "Problemzonen" jedes einzelnen Teilnehmers werden vorab besprochen und der Fokus bei den Segelaufnahmen danach ausgerichtet. Das neue und aufgefrischte Wissen über seine eigenen Segel und den eigenen Trimm ist sicher für die gesamte Segelsaison äußerst nützlich! Ablauf Ein strukturiertes, auf die individuellen Bedürfnisse und Wünsche der Teilnehmer abgestimmtes Programm – wobei wir Sie eine Runde um einen abgesteckten Kurs begleiten - hält die Balance zwischen theoretischem Input, eigener Umsetzung und direktem Feedback am Wasser. Das am Freitag im Vortrag erlernte Trimmwissen wird bei den Wassereinheiten Samstag und Sonntag in der Praxis angewandt. Die professionelle Dokumentation der schnellen Boote mit Hilfe von Fotos und Videos - sowie die Herausarbeitung der Unterschiede zu den weniger schnellen - erfolgt an beiden Tagen nach der Wasserarbeit im Rahmen eines Debriefing. Freitag, 28. Juni um 18:00 Begrüßung und Überblick zur North Sails University mit Einführungsvortrag über Segeltrimm vom Trainerteam Aufnahme individueller Schwerpunkte der einzelnen Teilnehmer Samstag, 29. Juni 9:00-18:00 & Sonntag, 30. Juni, 9:00- 17.00 Theorie Einheit(en) und Beobachtung am Wasser mit direktem Feedback Debrief mit Foto- und Videoanalyse im Anschluss an die Wasserarbeit Teilnahmebeitrag € 595,00 .-inkl Ust. pro Teilnehmer auf LAGO 26 € 495,00 .-inkl Ust. pro Teilnehmer mit eigenem Schiff € 395,00 .-inkl. Ust. pro Crewmitglied Für North Sails Kunden bieten wir einen 10% Kundenrabatt an! Ort Motor Yacht Club Salzkammergut Bahnhofstrasse. 19 Schörfling Liegeplätze werden im Rahmen der Veranstaltung zur Verfügung gestellt Bei weniger als 10 angemeldeten Personen können wir die Veranstaltung leider nicht durchführen - wir bitten um Verständnis. North Sails U. Die North Sails U. wurde 1980 in den USA gegründet mit den klaren Zielen: Segler zu Regattaseglern und Regattasegler zu Siegern zu entwickeln. Sind sie in Österreich mit dem gleichen Zielen dabei und kontaktieren sie unser Trainerteam und melden sie sich an! Ihr Trainerteam: Hans Spitzauer Geschäftsführer North Sails Austria, Segelprofi, 5-facher Olympiateilnehmer, Weltmeister und Europameister hans.spitzauer@northsails.com +43 664 546 87 69 Andrea Seidl Geschäftsführerin North Sails Austria & Seidl Sails GmbH, Tuch- & Design Spezialistin, Segelmacherin und seit 35 Jahren aktiv am Wasser. andrea.seidl@northsails.com +43 664 9515353 Anmeldung bis zum 24. Juni unter office.at@northsails.com Für Fragen zu Ablauf, Inhalt und Schwerpunkten stehen wir gerne auch persönlich im Vorfeld zu ihrer Verfügung. READ MORE

CONSEJO NORTH SAILS ¿Qué es un código cero? Lo que comenzó como un concepto sencillo pero innovador ha evolucionado a toda una nueva categoría de velas. Todos los código cero tienen en común que son velas principalmente asimétricas, rápidas, planas y diseñadas para ángulos de través cerrado. Originalmente, los código cero fueron diseñados para calificar como spinnaker bajo ciertas reglas de rating, lo que requería que la cadena media debía medir como mínimo el 75% del pujamen. Los código cero aportan superficie vélica y potencia a rumbos de través cerrados, y benefician especialmente a barcos con velas de proa no solapadas, ya que cubren de manera óptima el salto entre velas de proa de ceñida y spinnakers simétricos o asimétricos. A la hora de elegir un código cero, es importante considerar las prestaciones de nuestro barco, ángulos de viento objetivo, intensidades de viento más habituales, sistemas de manejo de velas, y elegir el material más apropiado para que la vela pueda ser personalizada para nuestras necesidades. READ MORE

COPA DE ESPAÑA DE OPTIMIST Nuestros clientes más jóvenes continúan dándonos alegrías en formato monotipo. 📸 Pep Portas En esta ocasión, las buenas noticias llegan desde la Copa de España de Optimist 2019, celebrada en Puerto Sherry los días 15 a 18 de mayo. La regatista balear –y doble campeona del mundo– María Perelló eligió velas North Sails para imponerse en categoría sub 16 entre una flota de 149 barcos de 11 comunidades autónomas. También equipó North Sails el tercer clasificado absoluto, el canario Javier Ojeda. ¡Muchas felicidades a ambos! Y gracias a todos los que confiáis en North Sails. READ MORE

EUROPEO DE 470 El campeonato de Europa de 470 se celebró en la localidad italiana de San Remo (6-14 de mayo), donde los mejores expertos continentales se enfrentaron por las coronas masculina y femenina. 📸 Gerolamo Acquarone North Sails equipó al 80% de la flota, incluyendo a los ganadores de ambas categorías: las francesas Camille Lecointre / Aloise Retornaz y los suecos Anton Dahlberg / Frederik Bergström. Segundos en categoría masculina finalizaron los españoles Jordi Xammar y Nicolás Rodríguez, también equipados con North Sails. ¡Felicidades! READ MORE

¿CUÁL ES EL MEJOR MOMENTO PARA COMPRAR VELAS NUEVAS? La mayor capacidad de producción de las velerías North Sails permite ofrecer tarifas especiales para velas entregadas durante verano. "Si quieres estrenar velas en la Copa del Rey MAPFRE, el momento para adquirirlas es ahora", sugiere Luís Martínez Doreste, director comercial de North Sails España. Ante la inminencia del verano, el movimiento en los pantalanes se multiplica. Meteorología y aumento de horas de luz invitan a salir a navegar, y los clubes náuticos agitan sus calendarios con interesantes regatas por toda la costa española. Además de la puesta a punto necesaria para garantizar que disfrutemos al máximo de nuestro barco, conviene revisar el inventario de velas y decidir si necesitamos algún recambio. Pero, ¿es un buen momento para comprar velas nuevas? "Ahora es un momento excelente para comprar velas nuevas", explica Luis Martínez Doreste, director comercial de North Sails. "El precio de venta al público de las velas North Sails está calculado para picos de producción, cuando nuestras velerías trabajan a pleno rendimiento, pero cuando disponen de mayor capacidad de producción podemos ofrecer interesantes descuentos". Y es precisamente ahora cuando se dan las circunstancias para que la firma pueda ofrecer velas nuevas en condiciones especiales. Tomando como referencia una regata emblemática como la Copa del Rey MAPFRE, Martínez Doreste recomienda aprovechar esta temporada de descuentos y realizar el pedido cuanto antes: "Contando con que la regata se celebra del 27 de julio al 3 de agosto, quien quiera estrenar velas debería encargarlas ahora. Para pedidos realizados a principios de junio, garantizamos entrega antes de la Copa del Rey MAPFRE". Martínez Doreste, campeón de la regata del Real Club Náutico de Palma en 2018 con el DK46 Estrella Damm en clase ORC, apunta a una vela que no debería faltar en el inventario de todo barco que busque brillar en la Copa del Rey: la nueva Helix. "El código cero al 75% Helix es una vela imprescindible para la regata costera de la Copa del Rey, porque suele navegarse en rumbos cerrados en los que esta vela se comporta de forma óptima", explica. Helix es la propuesta de North Sails de vela de proa sin cabo antitorsión, caracterizada por una óptima distribución de cargas y una ligereza sin precedentes. Está disponible para embarcaciones de prácticamente cualquier eslora. El programa North Sails de condiciones especiales por producción es aplicable a velas entregadas en los meses de julio, agosto y septiembre. READ MORE

SCOTTISH SERIES SUCCESS IN TARBERT North Boats Take Top Position In Five Classes Chimaera, overall series winner © Marc Turner The 2019 Scottish Series was a great success all round, with North Sails clients taking the overall Class Win in five of the classes and the "Boat of the Week" prize for Andrew Craig and his Team on the J-109 Chimaera. Our own Maurice O'Connell was calling tactics on board, managing to navigate his way through a tricky six race RC 35 series to win by a very comfortable eight point margin. Well done to the crew for a fantastic result in a very tough 14 boat fleet. Andrew sent us this lovely note as soon as the regatta had finished: "We had the full range of conditions and our new North 3Di J1 and J2 set beautifully on the light moderate days. The J3 came into its own in day three in 18 to 28 knots. We have a beautiful A2 SuperKote for very deep running and could get lower and faster than all the other A sail boats. Our big A4 was used in the heavier winds. It was great to have Prof with us and we kept working the sail and boat trim. It was a real nine man team effort with our North wardrobe as a great tenth man!" ''We have a beautiful A2 SuperKote for very deep running and could get lower and faster than all the other A sail boats''. The full North Sails Ireland squad was in attendance at the regatta as well as Kevin Aitken from North Sails Scotland sailing the very rapid Beneteau 36.7, Animal. Powered by 3Di, Animal was the overall winner of the Kip Regatta the previous week, but on this occasion, the winds were just too strong for Kevin and his team to shine. Mata, IRL2794 © Marc Turner We talked to One Design Expert and founder of North Sails Ireland, Nigel Young who was on trim and rig setup on board Harmony: What was really evident as soon as we hit the water on Friday morning was the impressive number of North Sails powered boats at the regatta. 3Di is really proving to be the product of choice if you want a taste of success... performance and longevity are hard things to ignore. 3Di is really proving to be the product of choice if you want a taste of success... performance and longevity are hard things to ignore. In a smaller-than-normal Class One, it was Jay Coville's First 40, Forty Licks, that took the top prize with Jonathan Anderson's J-122e El Gran Senor following just two points behind after a continuous battle between these two teams throughout the weekend. The beautiful Corby 37 Aurora finished a very close third. I have very fond memories of a Scottish Series win in 2007 on that boat when she was named Blondie and owned by Eamon Rohan. It is fantastic to see her still going strong and in great hands. The RC 35 Class was perhaps the toughest class this year, with 14 boats fresh from Kip Regatta all looking for the top prize in a very narrow rating band. As previously mentioned, it was the J-109 Chimaera taking top place by a comfy margin, followed by the Ker32 Hijacker. This is an example of another boat powered by North Sails, sailing with some relatively old 3Di sails, proving that high quality race sails can last. The Kelly Family were third sailing their J-109 Storm completing the 1,2,3 podium places for North Sails clients - congratulations to all! A battle between Harmony and Mata took place in Class Three; both Half Tonner's from Howth Yacht Club sailing with North Sails 3Di. With J-92's making up the bulk of the fleet, Harmony came out on top by a small margin, proving how competitive the smaller classes can be. Congratulations to Darren and Michael Wright for putting together such a nice boat and for a great performance on their first outing. The 2019 Scottish Series will be remembered for some great races, lots of rain, some hanging about waiting to sail and big breeze Sunday. Congratulations again to all the North clients who did so well at this regatta, it makes us very proud to see the blue badge at the front of the fleet. Scottish Series 2019 IRC 1 1st Forty Licks / Jay Colville 2nd El Gran Senor / Jonathon Anderson RC 35 1st Chimaera / Andrew Craig 2nd Hijacker / Stuart Cranston & Jane Buchanan 3rd Storm / Pat Kelly IRC 3 1st Harmony / John Swan 2nd Mata / Darren & Michael Wright 3rd Satisfaction / Nicholas Marshall Etchells 1st Hero / Geoffrey Howison Sigma 33 1st* Leaky Roof 2 / Harper and Robertson * Denotes Partial North Sails Inventory Hero, 1175 and Excaliber, IRL953 © Marc Turner Moonstruck Too, GBR4757R © Marc Turner READ MORE

SOPROMAR - Centro Náutico North Sails Pick Up Point NORTH SAILS WITH A NEW PICK UP POINT IN PORTUGAL North Sails has established a partnership with Sopromar - Centro Náutico de Lagos, a reference boatyard, with more than two decades already, that offers the customer a wide range of specialized services performed by professional teams. Its privileged location, in Lagos, make it a strategic point of passage and stay for all vessels. As a new Pick Up Point North Sails, the boatyard now offers the service of collecting and delivering sails for maintenance and ensures customer contact with the North Sails Expert, in Portugal. We are now closer to our customers ! A NORTH SAILS TEM UM NOVO PICK UP POINT EM PORTUGAL A North Sails estabeleceu uma parceria com a Sopromar - Centro Náutico, estaleiro de referência que, com mais de duas décadas de existência, oferece aos seus clientes uma vasta gama de serviços especializados realizados por equipas profissionais. A sua localização privilegiada, em Lagos, permite-lhe posicionar-se como um ponto estratégico de passagem e estadia para todas as embarcações. Como novo Pick Up Point North Sails, o estaleiro oferece agora o serviço de recolha e entrega de velas para manutenção e assegura o contacto entre o Cliente e o North Sails Expert, em Portugal. Estamos, assim, mais perto dos nossos clientes ! CONTACTS - CONTACTOS Sopromar- Centro Náutico de Lagos Estrada Sopromar Estaleiro nº1 8600-716 Lagos LOCALIZAÇÃO / LOCATION T: +351 282 763 889 E: geral@sopromar.com W: http://en.sopromar.com/ READ MORE

SALVADOR BAPTISTA FERNANDES LEVA A NORTH SAILS AO EUROPEU 2019 O RESULTADO DEPOIS DAS PAN´s Photo Credits: Luis Fráguas Depois das Provas de Apuramento Nacional, realizadas em Abril e Maio, o velejador Salvador Baptista-Fernandes provou o resultado da consistência do seu trabalho e alcançou o apuramento para a participação no Campeonato Europeu de 2019. MUITOS PARABÉNS! O Salvador fez um excelente trabalho com a sua R-4 ! Contactem-nos para saber mais sobre as velas de Optimist e espreitem a lista de vitórias na Classe aqui ! Deixamos, também, o útil Speed Guide apenas à distância de um clique aqui. Sail Fast and Go Beyond! READ MORE

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Local North Sails Experts Help Clients Start The Season Off Right © Parker Media Management Skippers and crews gathered at Mimico Cruising Club last week for an evening of practice for the upcoming season; combined with a handful of volunteers, media personnel, chase boat and committee boat for mark set. Split into two divisions, boats lined up for an hour session of rolling starts split with drone footage to capture every move. Local North Sails expert Geoff Moore was on hand wanting boats start from the committee boat for the first portion of start then transitioned to North equipped J/122 Hooligan with Bruce Pierce to provide onboard tips and coaching. In addition, two other knowledgeable sailors were on hand to share their knowledge, one from a support rib and one on a boat. Together all three experts rotated boats throughout the rolling starts to share expertise for owners and crew alike to start better on the line. Starts are such a critical part of your race, and take a lot of coordination to practice-you really can't do it alone. A picture perfect evening with an offshore breeze and sunshine allowed sailors to hone their start line skills for the upcoming season. Local North Sails staff Kyann Rentzelos reflects; "I think seminars like the one Geoff Moore hosted are really beneficial. Starts are such a critical part of your race, and take a lot of coordination to practice-you really can't do it alone. Typically, you only get to do one per day, so getting better is a challenge. Coming from a dinghy racing background, this is something we drilled probably every day." © Parker Media Management © Parker Media Management © Parker Media Management © Parker Media Management © Parker Media Management © Parker Media Management © Parker Media Management READ MORE

Otvoreno Prvenstvo Hrvatske za klasu Šljuka U Mošćeničkoj Dragi završeno je Otvoreno prvenstvo Hrvatske za klasu Šljuka na kojemu se natjecalo osam domaćih i deset stranih posada. Riječ je uglavnom o talijanskim posadama koje sve češće odmjeravaju snage s hrvatskim jedriličarima u ovoj klasi. Dobrosusjedski odnosi tomu nisu jedini razlog. Dogodine je Hrvatska domaćin Europskog prvenstva klase Šljuka u Splitu. Tijekom tri dana Otvorenog prvenstva Hrvatske za klasu Šljuka odjedrena su svega tri od predviđenih devet plovova i to tek posljednjeg dana regate po slabom južinu jačine 5-9 čvorova. U Mošćenici se okupila većina hrvatskih posada, a konkurenciju su dodatno zaoštrili Talijani i jedna njemačka posada. Naslov državnih prvaka drugu godinu zaredom osigurala je posada Luka Jerčić i Josipa Prosinečki iz JK Split. Regata se bodovala i za Adriatic Snipe Series kup u kojemu su prvaci Hrvatske zauzeli šesto mjesto iza vodećih talijanskih posada. Drugo mjesto OPH za klasu Šljuka pripalo je posadi Marko Marinović - Vedrana Polić iz JK Split, a treće posadi Milko Volarić - Dean Pavlak iz JK Galeb Kostrena. Dok kompletne rezultate regate možete pronaći na ovom linku. Mošćenička draga je poznata po dobroj organizaciji i zato nam uvijek dođu i talijani u velikom broju. Jedino što nije ispalo kako se očekivalo je bilo to što smo prva dva dana imali bonacu. Inače uvijek u poslijepodnevnim satima zapuše maestral, ali eto ove godine ga nije bilo. Ali Draga ipak nije iznevjerila, pa je treći dan poslijepodne ipak zapuhalo. Uspjeli smo odjedriti prava tri plova i na kraju se sve posložilo. Inače su glavni organizatori regate Nikola Dešković i Igor Staraj iz JK Orion i još jednom ih želim posebno pohvaliti, ali ove godine je posebno priznanje za dugogodišnji trud i angažman otišlo u ruke g.Tone, koji je dugogodišnji član JK Orion i jedan od idejnih začetnika ove regate. Ove godine je regata imala i jednog visokog gosta, koji je ujedno i natjecatelj s dugim nizom gostovanja u Moščenićkoj dragi, ali ovaj put je stigao u svojstvu komodora klase, talijanski jedriličar Pietro Fantoni. Damir Vranić, tajnik klase Spomenute klubove povezuje i priča o "slavnim danima" klase Šljuka u Hrvatskoj. Jedriličarski klub Galeb bio je organizator slavne Riječke međunarodne regate za klase Šljuka, Laser, Flying Dutchman, a kasnije i 470, koja je tijekom 60-ih i 70-ih godina znala okupiti i stotinjak brodova na Mošćeničkoj plaži Sipar. Tamo je 1970. godine održano i prvo europsko prvenstvo klase Šljuka u Hrvatskoj. Kada je Jedriličarski savez sredinom sedamdesetih godina odlučio klasu Šljuka zamijeniti klasom 470, uz već prisutnog Flying Dutchmana, broj jedrilica i aktivnih jedriličara u klasi Šljuka na Jadranu postupno se smanjivao sve do prestanka održavanja regata. 2006. godine Damir Vranić i Bojan Grego doveli su nove Šljuke u Kostrenu, a četiri godine kasnije, ovi entuzijasti u Omišalj su doveli i Južnoeuropsko prvenstvo klase, na kojemu se okupilo tridesetak jedriličara iz čitave Europe, ali i dalekog Brazila. Danas je u Hrvatskoj petnaestak brodova od kojih se devet redovito natječe na regatama u zemlji i inozemstvu. Obnovljena flota s ambicijom daljnjeg rasta odlučila je Klasi predati kandidaturu za organizaciju Europskog prvenstva 2020. Organizacija Otvorenog europskog prvenstva za klasu Šljuka 2020. svečano je dodijeljena Jedriličarskom klubu Split na prošlom europskom natjecanju u finskom gradiću Poriju. Očekuje se dolazak osamdesetak posada iz Europe i svijeta. Svoj dolazak u Split već su najavila neka od najvećih imena Klase, svjetski prvak Alexandre Tinoco iz Brazila, jedriličarska legenda Augie Diaz, dvostruki svjetski prvak u klasi Šljuka i svjetski prvak u klasi Zvijezda, američka posada Ernesto Rodriguez i Kathleen Tocke, osvajači zlatnog odličja zapadne hemisfere, posade iz Kanade, Argentine, Engleske, Španjolske, Belgije, Poljske, Norveške... Bit će to najveća regata klase u Hrvatskoj još od šezdesetih i sedamdesetih kada se na regatama u Mošćenici znalo okupiti pedesetak Šljuka. PRIPREMILA: JOSIPA PROSINEČKI READ MORE

Europsko prvenstvo klase Zvijezda FOTO: SVEN JURGENSEN Naša najaktivnija posada u klasi Zvijezda, Marin Mišura i Tonko Barač, nastupili su na Europskom prvenstvu klase koje se jedrilo između 13. i 19. svibnja. Čak 90 posada je nastupilo na ovoj regati koju je organizirao Fraglia della Vela Riva iz Riva del Garda, a među njima je bilo toliko svjetskih i olimpijskih prvaka i nositelja medalja, da bi se s tim podatkom rijetko koja regata na svijetu mogla nositi! Naši momci su nastupili neopterećeni plasmanom, jer osim povremenih izleta u inozemstvo u nas imaju priliku jedriti samo na jednoj do dvije regate godišnje, a na njima su redovito dominantni. Unatoč malo ležernijem pristupu ipak su ostvarili izvrstan rezultat i regatu završili na vrlo dobrom 12. mjestu. Odjedreno je 9 plovova, a glavni cilj naše posade je bio plasman među najboljih deset. Razlog tome je što je ova regata dobila status "grand slama", kategorije koju Star Sailors League želi dodijeliti određenim regatama, a koji za sobom nosi i poseban princip jedrenja završne faze natjecanja. U tom sustavu ako se plasirate u taj vršni dio bodovne liste imate velike šanse da se probijete do samog vrha, a detaljan opis jedrenja po tom sustavu je opisan na kraju ovog članka. Više detalja o nastupu naše posade dobili smo iz prve ruke od kormilarskog dijela našeg dvojca: Generalno gledajući jedrili smo dobro. Pogotovo s obzirom na vremenske uvjete. Bilo je hladno, prosjek vjetra je bio veći od 15 čvorova. Uvjeti po kojima je važnije "stiskanje" broda od tehnike jedrenja. A kako se nismo nešto posebno trenažno spremili za regatu to sam zadovoljniji s 12. mjestom. Moram reći da sam za ono jedno 34. mjesto najodgovorniji ja, jer sam pogriješio stranu. Znao sam da treba ići desno, ali nešto me je odvuklo lijevo... stvarno nemam opravdanja. Da smo taj plov završili među prvih 15-16 sigurno bi završili među najboljih 10. To je bilo bitno jer se onda kasnije jedri sistem eliminacije u kojem se sve može dogoditi. Ritam jedrenja nam je bio po dva plova u danu s tim da smo jedan dan odjedrili samo jedan plov, ali smo zatim to nadoknadili s tri plova idući put. A taj dan kad smo imali tri jedrenja svi smo se vratili na kopno maksimalno umorni. Inače, na regati je bilo toliko svjetski prvaka i olimpijskih pobjednika da regata spada u sam vrh po svakom pogledu. Generalno gledajući bilo je u rangu svjetskog prvenstva. Tako dobar sastav sigurno se može pripisati i činjenici da je nagradni fond regate bio 100.000 USD, a podijelio se na 20 najboljih od čega su pobjednici dobili 25.000 USD. Marin Mišura, JK Split Za ovako impresivan nagradni fond (bar u svijetu jedrenja) zaslužan je pokretač SSL-a, ruski poslovni čovjek sa švicarskom adresom. Koliku strast ima prema jedrenju i koliki je mecena govori i podatak da je osim nagradnog fonda i za ovu regatu osiguran tracking sustav koji je osim klasičnog GPS praćenja uključivao i direktan video prijenos sa svake jedrilice i distribuciju svih medijskih sadržaja u živo putem interneta. Osim spomenutog 34. mjesta naši momci su imali još jedan lošiji rezultat, 33. mjesto u prvom plovu. Ostali ulasci u cilj su bili mnogo bolji. Najlošiji rezultat im je bilo 17. mjesto, a čak 3 plova su završili u top deset. O snazi i kvaliteti flote možda najbolje govori podatak da je na drugom mjestu završio legendarni Robert Scheidt, ovaj put s flokistom Henry Boeningom. Pobjedu je odnio par Mateusz Kusznierewitz i Frederico Melo. A Frederica se možda sjećate od prošle jeseni kad je bio flokist našem Tonću Stipanoviću na finalu SSL-a na Bahamima. Iduća regata na koju planira ići naša posada je Svjetsko prvenstvo klase u Porto Cervu. Na put kreću 14. lipnja i zadovoljni su što je ove godine SP u Europi jer tada mogu sudjelovati s vlastitom jedrilicom, što je u svijetu Stella vrlo važno jer u samom vrhu presuđuju nijanse, a previše detalja vezanih uz trim konkretne jedrilice može biti presudno. READ MORE

ERFOLGREICHE BODENSEEWOCHE 2019, AUCH FÜR NORTH SAILS Gegen 150 Boote massen sich vom 24. – 26.04.19 im Konstanzer Trichter, leider auch dieses Jahr mit schwierigen Windverhältnissen. So konnten auf der Bahn ‚Echo‘ (auf der die Klassen ORC1, ORC 2, Sportboote und 6mR segelten) am Freitag nur ein Schwachwindlauf gesegelt werden, am Samstag immerhin zwei und am Sonntag reichte der Wind für einen 4. Lauf leider nicht mehr aus. Trotzdem waren unsere Kunden im Gros zufrieden, da es doch etwas mehr Wind wie im vergangenen Jahr hatte. Und wer an der Bodenseewoche schon dabei war, weiss, dass es ausser segeln noch sehr viel mehr gibt: Es ist ein Volksfest für Gross und Klein, Segler und ‚Landratten‘! Einige North Sails Resultate ORC 1: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ORC 2: 1, 3 Sportboote: 1, 2, 3 Ausführliche Ranglisten finden Sie hier. READ MORE

NORTH SEA REGATTA Wij zijn aanwezig, u ook? 28 mei is traditiegetrouw de Vuurschepenrace gestart (Scheveningen - Harwich) als onderdeel van de North Sea Regatta. Volgende week, tijdens het Pinksterweekend, worden de inshore wedstrijden gevaren voor de kust van Scheveningen. Zoals u van ons gewend bent zullen ook dit jaar onze experts aanwezig zijn tijdens dit jaarlijkse zeilfestijn. Waar kunt u onze experts vinden? Tijdens de Vuurschepenrace en RORC North Sea Race varen Bart Overgaauw en Wouter Köllmann mee in ORC 2 op de J/109 Joule en Archambault 35 Decatur. Tijdens de inshore wedstrijden tijdens het Pinksterweekend is naast Bart en Wouter ook Jacco Huijgen aanwezig. Hij vaart mee op de Swan 45 K-Force in ORC 1. Spreek onze experts vooral aan wanneer u vragen heeft of wanneer uw zeilen service nodig hebben. Wij helpen u graag. North Sails Overnight Repair Service Voor reparaties na de offshores en tijdens de inshores kunt u contact opnemen met Jacco Huijgen door te bellen of een Whatsapp bericht te sturen op +31(0)6 504 238 32. Tijdens de inshores verzorgen wij wederom een Overnight Repair Service, zodat u het gehele evenement met uw beste zeilen kunt varen. Vuurschepenrace volgen De Vuurschepenrace is te volgen via deze link Wij wensen alle deelnemers veel succes en met name veel plezier! READ MORE

ICEBREAKER REGATTA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS Low Temps Didn't Stop These Sailors The annual regatta, which kicks off the May long weekend around here, took place this past weekend with chilly temperatures and overcast skies. While conditions were less than favourable, sailors were excited and eager to race. North Sails Toronto was happy to support the annual event, which marked its 50th year in action this year! A great accomplishment for the organizing committee and sailors alike. Read the full recap from the organizers below: Many sailing notables were here today to celebrate the 50th year of the Icebreaker. All of them could recall stories about how young they were when they did it. A full complement of Olympians were present on Saturday to show encouragement for sailing. Rod Davies sailed Laser, Richard Clark Volvo and Hobart racer represented Canada in Finn class. Tommy Wharton, Olympic coach for Lasers, Ken Dool, presently coach for Olympic Sailing and five Olympics, Thomas Fogh, National Team sailor, and now coach and Mike Milner, executive director of High Performance Sail, Canada debriefed after racing. A great thank you for the years of support in all your capacities and for encouraging youth sailing. The first day of racing started promptly at 11:00 a.m. with light breeze at 7 – 10 knots switching from 105 degrees to 85 degrees with persistent right bend making a favoured tack for all the day. Lasers, Radials and 4.7’s got 4 races off. Two generals for the Radial fleet. 2.4’s and 29ers got 11 races in and comments made were complimentary of race committee with speedy turnarounds. Conditions were overcast for entire day with low chop. On the second day of the regatta there was good breeze at 90 degrees with little variation. Only one change of course at the 29ers course mid race. EYC race committee were on the ball. Wind shifts to right in last race allowed for lucky boats to gain some places. Heavier air benefited the weightier sailors at 10 to 15 knots. Despite a few capsizes a local sailor stayed sailing all the races. She looks promising because of her grit and getting very good starts. A special thanks to all of the clubs who came from a great distance to compete on the long weekend including teams representing, Royal St Lawrence Yacht Club, Club de Voile Deux-Montagnes, and Britannia Yacht Club to name only a few. Get ready for racing season with your local experts at North Sails. Contact your sailmaker today! READ MORE

2019 HELLY HANSEN NOOD REGATTA Chicago | June 7 - 9 North Sails is excited to continue our sponsorship of the Helly Hansen NOOD Regattas, and Chicago is the next stop on the circuit. North Sails local team, led by expert Perry Lewis will be on hand for all your sail care needs for the regatta, so whether you need to get your sails checked on prior to, or need overnight service during the race, our crew have your covered. Coupled with our sail care, the local team will be hosting a local knowledge panel to kick-off the event. Local Knowledge Panel North experts' and local sailors Perry Lewis and Keith "KC' Church will be hosting a local knowledge panel to help get you ready for the NOOD. Join us prior to the skippers meeting on Thursday June 6th at 6pm in the Chicago Yacht Club for some vital insights on sailing on Chicago waters, what to look out for, and hear how the experts plan to navigate the weekend. See the full schedule of events here. Overnight Sail Repair Knowing that the Great Lakes can deliver changing conditions without notice, our Certified Service team will be on stand by for any sail issues. Each day after racing, look for the North Sails team at CYC for sail drop offs. Perry Lewis will be at the Monroe clubhouse for sail pick ups, and Christian Koules will be at Belmont to service the classes docking there. Monroe Station Perry Lewis 773-636-6767 | Belmont Station Christian Koules 847-814-4030 North Sails Rally Race The perfect way to kick-off the cruising season, the North Sails Rally Race invites cruising boats of all sizes to compete at the NOODs. Join the regatta for one day of racing, then end up at the Chicago Yacht Club for the afterparty and Rally Race awards. Rally Race Notice of Race North Sails Support Need help prior to the regatta? Contact your team at the Chicago or Milwaukee loft today. READ MORE

NORTH SAILS TRICKLE DOWN EFFECT The Quality Of 3Di Discussed By Nigel Young © Onne van der Wal You often hear about the trickle down effect of products developed for the America's Cup; it makes great PR and reads well in the social media, but so many times it never makes it all the way to the smaller boats, writes North Sails Ireland's, Nigel Young. I am happy to say that this is not the case with 3Di. From the technology made for the America's Cup and superyachts to the International Moth, we now have a 3Di film-less product available for everyone, not just for the Grand Prix end of sailing. I have sailed the Melges 24 since 1994 and it is great to see that the boat is now fully 3Di. Check out the latest news from Miami here. At the North Sails loft in Ireland, we delivered our first 3Di sail to the Kelly Family for the J-109 Storm way back in 2012. As a testament to the 3Di product and production process, that sail is still in use today with Brian Jones on the J-109 Jelly Baby. Impressively, no major repairs have been done to that sail, only minor luff tape damage and some small chafe repairs (not unusual for an 8-year-old sail). In the last few months, North Sails Ireland has supplied 3Di sails to 1720's, J-80's, Melges 24's and several smaller IRC boats proving that it is not just PR, it is reality - 3Di really does cover every possible sail size out there for both racing and cruising. Visit our website to see our full range of 3Di sails. In Ireland, we have delivered hundreds of 3Di sails since the first sail in 2012 and the overriding factor is how long they last, specifically, how long they hold their shape for. The shape holding of 3Di is a product of many factors, but one of the main contributors is the fact that 3Di sails have double the fiber content of our old 3DL product. For example, a 3DL jib weighing 18kgs would have just over 6.5kg of fiber in the sail, roughly 35%. The equivalent 18kg 3Di sail has almost 70% fiber so it is easy to see why they hold their shape so well. The fibers are what gives a sail its ability to retain the design shape meaning more fiber can only be good for the long term shape holding of your sails. Generally, the plastic film in our 25 year old technology 3DL sails accounts for over 50% of the sail's total weight. If you then add light skins to make it look like a 3Di sail, even more parasitic weight is added - plastic is not fantastic! Not only that, it needs protecting so it does not crack, hence all the additional films on the outside (Taffeta's, Light skins etc.). The good news is that 3Di has no plastic film (parasitic weight), meaning they cannot delaminate. The initial cost may be more, but they offer greater value for money in the long run - less time in the service loft, more time flying in their original FAST design shape. ''Next time you are thinking about a new sail, think 3Di. The investment is worth it - ask any one of our 3Di clients here in Ireland what they think and I know the answer you will get. North Sails 3DL was 25 years ahead of the opposition, 3Di is light years ahead. Sail FAST.'' © Amory Ross / North Sails READ MORE

YOUNG 88'S 2019 One of the largest fleets in recent years took part in the Young 88 national championships in March, and despite super-light conditions racing was close and competitive. Harken Young 88 Nationals NZ 2019 📸 Live Sail Die The title was taken out on line by defending champion Raging Hormones, this year skippered by North Sails sales and marketing manager Andrew Wills, with a crack crew including Will Tiller, Alastair Gair, Taylor Balogh, Steve Broadbent, Hugh Gallagher, and Josh Wijohn. Second on line was Mark Bond’s Slipstream, with Harry Thurston and his South Island team on Undercover taking third. Slipstream took out handicap honours, with Undercover second and Raging Hormones third. That made it a clean sweep of the podium for North, whose sails also featured prominently on boats throughout the one-design fleet. Just five races were sailed over the two days, all of them in 9 knots or less, but that called for intense concentration, careful trimming and delicate weight distribution, with some crew spending the entire regatta down below to minimise windage. In a five-race series, all results had to count, and the Raging Hormones crew made sure they were consistent. After a fourth in the first race, they won three of the remaining four races, and were second in the other. However, their victory was ensured when their closet rival, Undercover, was disqualified in the last race and had to carry 17 points. Wills says the great work done by the Young 88 committee in encouraging entries and organising crew for those who needed it saw 16 boats on the start-line. "There are some new owners and they are getting lots of people out there. The class is working hard to make the boats as equal as possible, and the racing is getting closer and closer". Winning team onboard Raging Hormones 📸 Live Sail Die Several other North Sails staff also sailed on other boats in the fleet, and they have put together some top tips and tricks for success in light airs: Sailing upwind in the light, it can be hard to have much feel on the helm. Soften the rig right up to induce forestay sag and create some rake to the mast to keep some helm on. Prepare for light airs before the regatta, and note in your tuning guide the best settings for sailing upwind in little to no wind. North Sails general manager Richard Bicknell sailed aboard War Machine, which made the most of its ability to sail well in high mode in the light airs. The team spent time adjusting the rig to increase rake and improve helm. On the downwind legs, think about crew weight distribution. Because of its hull shape, the 88 is designed to be raced with the crew in the cockpit: "In the first race, we were getting rolled quite badly, and that was our worst result of the regatta," says Wills. "We got our crew to move their weight back a bit in the boat and that really helped. We had been sailing with the knuckle in and the stern out, so to lengthen our waterline we moved the crew back so we had a nice clean wake off the stern and the knuckle was just touching the water." Downwind in the light, don’t be afraid to steer more aggressively: "These are displacement boats, so it felt like I had to steer through a lesser angle to start with, between high and low mode," says Wills. "I changed to coming up more aggressively in the light to keep the kite full, and coming down more in any puffs, to build speedgain VMG as long as we didn’t kill our speed. The variance in angle between the two courses became a lot bigger and more aggressive." When trimming on the kite, trim in the main at the same time, to keep the slot nice and open: "If you close that up too much by just trimming on the kite, it would back into the main and the kite would collapse," says Wills. "Remember to open that gap up a bit". New sails can make the critical difference: "Owner Nick Gillies really noticed the improvement in downwind speed. He had good sails before, but with this new one we were passing people downwind — and downwind is where you win a regatta like this every time", says North Sails expert Matt Steven, sailing aboard Waka Huia with a brand-new kite. READ MORE

2019 VINEYARD RACE Sign Up For Your Complimentary Weather Forecasts North Sails is proud to support the 2019 Vineyard Race. We have teamed up with our expert friends at Sailing Weather Service to provide professional weather forecasting for the event. Sign up below and have your forecast delivered right to your inbox. READ MORE

ONE DESIGN ADVICE FROM NOEL DRENNAN Experienced And Passionate sailor, Noel Drennan, Rejoins North Sails As One Design Manager With four decades in sailmaking, Noel ‘Nitro’ Drennan knows a thing or two about sails. A lifelong passion for sailing has made this Irish-born Australian one of the world’s best one design experts, and now his desire to be part of the best one design team has brought him back to North Sails as One Design Manager at North Sails Sydney. Nitro first started with North Sails Melbourne back in 1983, in a loft owned by sailing legend John Bertrand. He’s a familiar face on top teams across a wide variety of boats: Etchells, offshore trimarans, TP52s, A-Class cats, Skiffs, Finns, and even the America’s Cup. "Life in One Design never stands still," Nitro commented. "As soon as you think you’ve got the best product, somebody else will come along with something faster and you are basically left in the dust. So you have to be on top of it, never ever relaxing, which is something I really thrive on." Noel Drennan, One Design Manager North Sails Australia Nitro is responsible for one design sales in Australia, working with class leaders on sail development while simultaneously working with customers to help them get the most out of their sails. He’s also the Etchells class leader, and he’s excited about the possibilities of working within a strong international network alongside experts with decades of experience. "North Sails is a truly global company," Nitro says, "giving us access to so many other one design classes around the world. Quite often development in one class benefits another. When I look at the many classes we have in Australia, it is really nice to compare sails and designs used in other classes in Europe. Working for North Sails enables me to do this in a way no other sailmaker can." Servicing such an extensive list of classes requires experience, which is why Nitro was welcomed back; there is no better person to be pushing the next phase of innovation and development in sails. To succeed in one design, Nitro says: "You always have to be going flat out. Things are always changing... So you have to keep yourself at the frontline at all times. I like the challenge of sailing a little bit faster than the next guy." Welcome back, Nitro. READ MORE

Formirane su kadetske i juniorske reprezentacije Foto: Hrvoje Duvančić - regate.com.hr Kadeti u klasi Optimist i juniori u tri kategorije klase Laser su završili s kvalifikacijskim i izbornim ciklusima započetim u jesen prošle godine. Cilj svih održanih regata je bilo skupljanje bodova da bi se plasirali dovoljno visoko da mogu postati članovi nacionalnih timova koji će nas predstavljati na velikim kontinentalnim i svjetskim prvenstvima koja će se jedriti u idućih nekoliko mjeseci. Ispred laseraša je čak 6 velikih natjecanja, od kojih će se jedno jedriti u Splitu, ali krenimo redom. Prvo je na redu Europsko prvenstvo za Lasere s najmanjim jedrima, kategorijom Laser 4.7. Njima će se ovog mjeseca regata organizirati u Hyeresu u Francuskoj. Na ovoj regati će nastupiti naš najbrojniji tim. Sedam najboljih momaka i čak 9 djevojaka: 1. Roko Stipanović, YC Croatia Opatija 2. Luka Vuković, JK Labud Split 3. Antun Tomašević, JK Labud Split 4. Roni Bobovnik, YC Zagreb 5. Luka Fatović, YC Zagreb 6. Luka Hagenauer, YC Zagreb 7. Simon Starić, JK Horizont Poreč 1. Ursula Balas, JD Val Crikvenica 2. Nika Manestar, JD Val Crikvenica 3. Eleonore Borgin, JK Tijat Vodice 4. Lea Rakovac, JK Vega Pula 5. Petra Mastelić, JK Labud 6. Paola Celić, JK Vega Pula 7. Carla De Carina, JD Val Crikvenica 8. Bianka Ornik, JD VAL Crikvenica 9. Dora Gomerčić JK Uljanik, Pula U lipnju Grci u Ateni organiziraju Europsko prvenstvo za mlade za Laser Radial. Ovaj put nam je flota dosta manja i ukupno će pod hrvatskom zastavom jedriti 6 djevojaka i momaka: 1. Roko Copić, JK VAL Šibenik 2. Bruno Gašpić, JK Split 3. Frano Šestan, JD VAL Crikvenica 1. Mare Milić, JK Horizont Poreč 2. Ivona Ercegovac, JK Split 3. Sara Mujesić, JK Tkon Nakon Atene, u srpnju u Gdyni u Poljskoj, na rasporedu je Svjetsko prvenstvo mladih. Pravo nastupa je striktno određeno od strane World Sailinga i iz Hrvatske ide po jedan muški i jedan ženski predstavnik: Roko Copić, JK Val Šibenik Mare Milić, JK Horizont Poreč Zatim u kolovozu troje juniora leti preko Atlantika. Cilj je Kingstown u Kanadi. Tamo će jedriti na Svjetskom prvenstvu klase Laser 4.7. S obzirom na troškove prethodnih prvenstava i veliku udaljenost, na put odlazi samo troje hrvatskih predstavnika: 1. Roko Stipanović, YC Croatia Opatija 1. Ursula Balas, JD Val Crikvenica 2. Nika Manestar, JD Val Crikvenica Za to vrijeme ponovno u Poljskoj, ali ovaj put u gradu Dwiznov organizirat će se Europsko prvenstvo klase Laser Standard i Laser Radial za žene, do 21 godine: 1. Dominik Perković, JK Labud Split 2. Marko Smolić, JK Val Šibenik 3. Juraj Radačić, JK Val Šibenik 4. Bruno Gašpić, JK Split 5. Roko Copić JK Val Šibenik 1. Karmen Perković, JK Labud Split 2. Ivona Ercegovac, JK Split Split 3. Lea Kliškinić, JK Labud Za obje ove skupine vrhunac sezone je u Splitu na Svjetskom prvenstvu klase Laser Standard i Laser Radial za žene, do 21 godine. Još uvijek se ne zna tko će jedriti u Splitu jer prijave nisu otvorene, a jedino što se zna je da ćemo regatu pratiti u listopadu. Foto: Hrvoje Duvančić - regate.com.hr Što se tiče naših najmlađih jedriličara, kadeta u Optimistima, njihova rang ljestvica zaključena je prošli vikend. Čak 80 najboljih dječaka i djevojčica koji su se kvalificirali na četiri izborne regate borilo se za ulazak u peteročlanu ekipu koja putuje na Antiguau na Svjetsko prvenstvo i sedmeročlani tim koji putuje na Europsko prvenstvo u Francusku. Na sunčane Karibe na Svjetsko prvenstvo odletjeti će: Marko Gomerčić - JK Uljanik plovidba, Pula Tristan Tol - JK Uljanik plovidba, Pula Tin Fike - JD Val, Crikvenica Buba Pulek - JK Uljanik plovidba, Pula Josip Tafra - JK Omiš, Omiš dok će na atlansku obalu Francuske na Europsko prvenstvo otputovati: Edo Fike - JD Val, Crikvenica Petra Marendić - JK Mornar, Split Grigor Pettener - JK Jugo, Mali Lošinj Maroje Škoro - JK Split, Split Ema Samaržija - JK Sv.Nikola, Zagreb Tedi Leonardelli - JK Vega, Pula Noela Petešić - JK Uskok, Zadar U statusu rezerve su Roko Čepić-Zokić iz JK Omiš i Mija Moičinić iz JK Uljanik plovidbe. Foto: Hrvoje Duvančić - regate.com.hr Svim našim jedriličarkama i jedriličarima želimo puno uspjeha i s velikim zanimanjem ćemo pratiti njihove predstojeće nastupe! READ MORE

BLOCK ISLAND RACE WEEK 2019 Lay Day Done Right Who said the lay day should be non-eventful? Not us. The Storm Trysail Club has decided to change things up this year, and proud partners Margaritaville, North Sails and New England Ropes jumped on board to help make this a lay day to remember. Keeping your physical and mental health in mind, our Storm TRYathalon is planned to engage your muscles and your brain. Register below for one or all three of the events, or better yet, join as a team and take on the day for the ultimate team prize . And because we cherish Block Island, the suggested entry fee for all these events is the purchase of a BIRW raffle ticket. All proceeds of the raffle tickets go to support island services and charities. Sailing shoes off and running shoes on, kick off the lay day with a morning 5K hosted by North Sails. Run solo, or with your TRYathalon team and get that morning run out of the way. Starting at 8:30am at the North Sails Service loft, located in the Block Island Maritime Institute, the route loops around and brings you to the finish line at the Narragansett Inn. For those with a competitive streak, there will be North Sails Gear for the winners, ready to collect at the finish line - alongside some refreshments and snacks on North. The first 100 entrants will receive a North Sails hat, so don't wait, register now. You can tick off your morning exercise, now it's time for Trivia. After you've showered and saw a bit of the island, grab your team and head over to the Margaritavaill Tent at the Narragansett Inn at 1pm for the first ever Block Island Race Week Trivia, presented by Margaritaville. Questions will cover all things BIRW, Block Island, and your partners, so bring your A-Game. Finally, pull your determined team together to fight it out in the New England Ropes Tug-O-War. Wander down to the beach by the regatta tent at the Narragansett Inn at 3:30pm and test the strength of your crew against the rest. Make your way to the finals and win the day. READ MORE

REGISTER FOR THE STORM TRYATHALON Block Island Race Week Lay Day 2019 READ MORE

CARRYING ON A FAMILY SAILING TRADITION Stjepan And Marko Marinovic Facilitate Regional Sales And Service In Croatia With the ORC Worlds coming to Croatia this month, we take a look at North Sails Team who founded and have grown the business there for the past 15 years. Stjepan and Marko Marinovic grew up sailing with their family on a variety of boats. Decades later, they’re still working together; the two founded North Sails in Croatia in 2004. Stjepan is five years older, which is why there are no stories about the two of them getting into trouble together. “There was too big a difference in the years,” Marko explains, adding that Stjepan was a good brother. “I was the bad brother,” he admits—perhaps joking, or perhaps not. “Coming from an island as a family,” Stjepan says, “there is a strong maritime tradition in both shipping and sailing.” Their father was a black sheep, “because he first ran a motorship, then a sailboat.” The kids learned to sail on an eight meter wooden cruiser; Stjepan also raced Optimists, while Marko competed in the Laser. “The natural thing was for me and my brother to go to the nautical academy,” Stjepan continues. After graduation from the University of Split, he went to sea as a master mariner and began to live a double life. “I had my quite serious professional life; all rules have to be obeyed, supervising the loading of ocean-going ships. In the summer, I was completely crazy! Cruising and racing around the Adriatic, in all kinds of funny boats.” First it was a half tonner, then an IMS 35, and then the craziest boat of all; a 40 footer built to sail on Lake Garda, which “against all advice,” they sailed in the open waters of the Adriatic for several years. When their father refused to finance any more sail purchases, the brothers began working for North Sails Cape Town on commission. “We started selling sails to other people,” Stjepan says. “When we got enough credit, we purchased a sail for our boat. So that is the reason we started working with North.” Ten years later, he continues, “we were doing so well that North Sails Italy started complaining that we should work with them.” The timing was right for Stjepan to retire from his “serious professional life” and move ashore, so in 2003 he talked Marko—who had just earned his own maritime transport engineering degree from the University of Split—into opening a sail loft instead of going to sea. “We made a joint company between North Sails Italy and me and Marko,” Stjepan explains. Sixteen years later, the pair oversees two lofts, in Dugopolje and Sukošan, and twelve employees. Marko likes working with North Sails. After taking several years off from racing, he’s recently started competing again in the Snipe and the Star. He also sails with clients, which he thinks is good for everyone. “It's very useful to be inside the company,” he says. “You get really good information and very quick. Nothing more do you need, if you're a sailor.” Even in the early days, their company never produced any sails; they’ve always specialized in selling and after sales. According to Stjepan, their loft was one of the first in the world to do so. “We are only sellers, like a car dealer,” he explains. There’s enough volume to justify that along the Adriatic coastline, an area renowned for its excellent cruising and racing. “It is quite rocky, with a lot of islands,” Stjepan continues. “Maybe 1,000? And we have six months of nice weather with very predictable thermals. There’s a huge amount of boats sailing around, and I would say 50% are used in charter. The nautical industry is quite strong in Croatia, and we know all the local guys. But most of our clients are people coming from abroad who have no idea what I'm doing. Maybe now they'll understand that I'm not just another charter skipper!” Stjepan also races classic yachts. In 2016 he was part of the winning crew on Mariette for the Superyacht Cup in Palma, and he helped Kelpie of Falmouth win the classics cruiser class at Les Voiles de St Tropez. Both brothers agree that 3Di changed their business—and Stjepan admits he wasn’t certain about it at first. “I delivered my first 3Di Sails to a guy on a Beneteau 40.7 for the ORC World Championship in Italy in 2013,” he says. “It was supposed to be light thermals, but we had thunderstorms. Upwind for thirty-six hours, in 45 knots…” Two days later, they headed out for another race; there had been no time to inspect the mainsail. Stjepan compares hoisting it to “opening a box of chocolates; I didn’t know if I’d be hoisting garbage. Instead it’s looking like new! That was a huge relief.” “I’m a really big fan of 3Di,” Stjepan continues. “The good thing is that it’s really fast, long-time fast.” Marko agrees. “The technology with 3Di is an advantage, so it's easy to convince racing clients to purchase 3Di sails. We have a very easy job to please our clients, which I think is most important.” "I’m a really big fan of 3Di," Stjepan continues. "The good thing is that it’s really fast, long-time fast.” Marko agrees, "The technology with 3Di is an advantage." Business-wise, Stjepan admits there is a downside to 3Di. “People are not buying sails so often. From 2006 to 2013, I sold four or five mainsails to this one guy. Since 2013, the boat is still having the same main.” But there is much less fuss, he adds, so “people are really happy. It's a good product, a really good product.” Both brothers have families of their own, and Marko enjoys winter skiing in the Dolomites with his wife and daughter. In summer, the trio takes a two week cruise onboard a half tonner that used to belong to his father. “He sold it, I buy it back sixteen years later, and I make modifications with the fridge and this kind of stuff. You have much more possibilities to enjoy the Adriatic with a small boat.” When Marko has more time, he’d like to race this boat again. Stjepan has a son and daughter and no ambitions in any other sport besides sailing. “The pastime in my home town is drinking coffee,” he explains, with that dry humor that makes it hard to know if he’s serious or not. “So when I'm not sailing or messing around with boats, I go and have a quiet coffee seaside.” Asked if it was very competitive, he explains the local approach; “You should drink your coffee for as long as possible. It's called espresso coffee because we like it made the Italian way, but we think it should slow time. An oxymoron…” When asked for his thoughts about local coffee habits, for once Marko disagrees with his older brother. “We're spending too much time with the coffee machine. I think I will switch to tea… it's much better.” READ MORE

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3Di NORDAC™ FAQ Hvordan adskiller 3Di NORDAC sig fra mine hvide panelsejl? Polyesterens kvalitet og egenskaber har været base for mange gode sejl gennem årene. Derfor bruger North Sails netop dette velkendte materiale til sin nye cruising-linje, så den væsentligste forskel er fremstillingen af sejlet. 3Di NORDAC-sejl er støbt af filament-tape, der løber kontinuerligt fra top til bund, så vi undgår syninger og vævede tråde. Resultatet er et sejl, der holder den gennemtænkte facon længe og er nemmere at håndtere. Jeg har hørt, at laminerede sejl ikke holder længe. Kan 3Di NORDAC delaminere? Nej! Det helt store gennembrud i vores udvikling i 3D-konstruktionen er, at 3Di ikke er et laminat og derfor ikke har den meget omtalte mylar-film. Det firkantede mønster i 3Di NORDAC-sejlene. Er det syninger? Nej. 3Di-sejl er en helstøbt komposit, der konstrueres på specialbyggede forme. På 3Di NORDAC er de yderste lag en speciel type polyester, som vi bruger for at beskytte sejlet mod knæk, slid ,stræk og UV-stråler. Jeg forstår ikke, hvordan I støber et sejl? Dit sejl bliver støbt i sin tredimensionelle facon. Alle komponenter bliver lagt ud på en specialbygget form, der er indstillet i netop den facon, som designeren har udtænkt til at dække dine sejlads-behov bedst. Processen er meget langt fra paneler og symaskiner, hvilket sikre dig den perfekte facon og mange gode timer på vandet. Hvorfor er et støbt sejl bedre, end et panelsejl? I et 3Di-sejl kan vi udlægge alle komponenter, så de følger belastningsretningen. Gennem vores avancerede designprogrammer kan vi danne os et overblik over, hvor sejlet skal være stærkest og sprede alle filamenterne i lige præcis den vifte, der gør, at sejlet holder sin facon samtidig med, at vægten er optimal. I dugen, der bruges i et panelsejl, kan trådene kun lægges i to retninger og der er mange overlap pga. syningerne. Hvordan ved I, at et 3Di-sejl vil være det ideelle valg til tursejlads? 3Di-teknologien er blevet brugt siden 2010. Gennem de år har vi lavet tusindvis af sejl, der har sejlet millioner af sømil. Vi har brugt to år på at udvikle 3Di NORDAC med den erfaring, som vi har fået fra de mange sømil, samt de hårdeste og mest udfordrende forhold, som vores racer-serier har stået model til. Vi kan derfor garantere, at dine 3Di NORDAC-sejl vil stå distancen og leve op til dine højeste forventninger. North Sails laver kun kapsejladssejl, så hvorfor skulle jeg købe tursejl fra jer? Vi nyder også tursejlads på sundet! Gennem de seneste årtier er North Sails faktisk den sejlmager, der laver flest tursejl. Vi bygger dem på den erfaringer, som vi gør os fra Volvo Ocean Race, Vendée Globe og de moderne superyacht. Både og forhold der kræver sejl, der holder distancen og er lette håndtere. Hvorfor skal North Sails måle min båd? Vi vil sikre os, at det sejl, som du investere i, passer perfekt til din båd! Derfor skal vi vide præcis, hvilken beslag båden har, hvor skødevognene sidder og andre detaljer, før vi kan designe dit sejl. Har vi før lavet sejl til din båd, har vi nok målene i systemet, men skal selvfølgelig vide, om noget har ændret sig i mellemtiden. Hvordan passer jeg bedst på mine nye sejl? 3Di NORDAC-sejl kræver ikke meget vedligeholdelse, men det er altid godt at komme forbi med dem, når sæsonen er slut, så du har vished om, at de er klar til den kommende sæson. North Sails tilbyder et års gratis service på alle 3Di NORDAC-sejl. READ MORE

HVOR LÆNGE HOLDER TURSEJL? Det er det vi kan kalde et godt spørgsmål. Det svar enhver tursejler ønsker at høre er “for altid”. Eller i det mindste i rigtig, rigtig lang tid. Men svaret er lidt mere varieret. Som et stykke trekantet dug, vil sejl holde i overraskende lang tid. Rent strukturelt vil sejlene langsomt ødelægges og miste styrke efterhånden som dug og syninger nedbryde af slid og solens UV stråler. En anden del af svaret har med sejlets facon og dermed ydeevne at gøre. Sejl som bliver belastet hårdt, vil strække sig permanent og dermed miste den oprindeligt designede facon (rund indgang og fladt/lige agterlig). Tabet af den oprindelige facon vil koste på flere områder. Det første vi må se på er sejlets strukturelle holdbarhed. Der ikke meget ved at have et sejl med den perfekte facon, hvis det falder fra hinanden ved brug. UV-stråling får gradvis vævede Dacronsejl til at miste rivstyrke. Hvis du kan tage en lille flænge i dit sejl og let forlænge den, så er det normalt slut med det sejl. Vi kan selvfølgelig reparere sejlet med en lap eller forstærkning, men sejlet vil bare flænge et andet sted eller lige ved siden af lappen. Mht. til syninger så kan du kontroller dem ved kører en fingernegl henover syningerne. Brister trådene, så er det tid til at få sejlet syet efter. Det er ikke unormalt at syninger slides før sejldugen er nedbrudt. Derfor er det vigtigt at du gennemgår dine syninger jævnligt. 3Di sejl, som er det eneste helstøbte, massive sejl uden bærende syninger, vil selvfølgelig være mindre sårbart for slidtage (i de syninger som ikke findes). Det er indlysende at nedbrydningen er afhængig af i hvor lang tid og hvor kraftig UV sejlet eksponeres for. Andre faktorer som kan slide på sejlet, er hvor meget vind det bruges i, hvor meget det får lov at blafre, slidtage mod riggen og anden mishandling, de udsættes for. En god måde at få en idé om sejlets strukturelle levetid er, hvor mange timer det bruges. Et godt sejl som bliver behandlet ordenligt og vedligeholdt jævnligt, vil kunne holde 3500-4000 timer. En typisk weekendsejler som bruger sin båd 2 weekender om måneden og et i par ugers sommerferie vil ende op med omkring 240 timer årligt, lig med 16 års levetid. I den anden ende af skalaen kan vi tage en sejler som bor ombord på sin båd i Caribien og sejler meget. Han vil måske bruge sejlene 12 timer om dagen, 12 dage om måneden, året rundt, lig med omkring 1728 timer brug. Disse sejl skal erstattes efter 2,5 år. Prøv at lave beregningen for dit eget sejladsmønster og få en ide om, hvor længe dine sejl holder. Anden del af svaret har med levetiden på faconen at gøre. Det er lidt mere diffust at svare på, fordi det ikke ses så nemt som slidte syninger og nedbrudt dug. Faconen ændres langsomt ved hver eneste times brug. Agterliget bliver rundere i profilen og sejlet bliver dybere og dybere. Resultatet af den ringere sejlprofil kommer langsomt snigende og stjæler næsten umærkeligt af farten lidt efter lidt. Man kan selvfølgelig mene at det er af mindre betydning for en tursejler, hvor hurtigt båden sejler. Men når sejlprofilen bliver mindre optimal, mister du ikke kun fart. Rorpresset øges, krængningen bliver større og lidt af sejlglæden forsvinder. Dybe sejl kan til nød gå an i let luft, men ved tiltagende vindstyrke bliver det mere kritisk og irriterende. Om du bevidst søger kurser mod vinden på dine sejlture eller ej, så kommer vi alle til at gå bidevind nu og da og en af glæderne ved at have en god og ordentlig turbåd, er evnen til at kunne sejle bidevind med en fornuftig fart og kontrol over krængningen. I forhold til meget andet grej på din båd, så holder sejl relativt længe, men uheldigvis ikke for evigt. Når du beslutter at skifte dem, vil du blive glædeligt overrasket over den forandring der sker med din båd. Krængningen forsvinder, den bliver let på roret og at gå bidevind i frisk vind bliver igen en fornøjelse, sejlglæden bliver langt større. At du som en biting også kommer først til de bedste havnepladser, må du leve med :-) Her er et par forslag til at forlænge dine sejls levetid: Beskyt sejlene mod UV-stråling når du ikke sejler. Brug bompresenning og forsejlspose. Undgå at sejlene blafrer. Når du går for motor, så bjærg sejlene medmindre vinden kan fylde dem. Lad aldrig et overlappende forsejl bakke mod sallingen i vendingerne. Brug den korrekte faldspænding. Husk at den ændrer sig med vindstyrken. Sæt faldet så hårdt at det lige præcis fjerner horisontale folder ved forliget. Husk at slække faldet igen når vinden løjer. Beskyt mod slidtage. Især ved saling, men også ved prædikestol, motorlanterne mm. Rig dine sejl af båden, når de ikke skal bruges i lang tid. Skyl sejlene med ferskvand et par gange i løbet af sæsonen. Få dem gået efter jævnligt hos din sejlmager. En professionel vask tilrådes også hvert 3-4 år. Når sejlene stuves af vejen for vinteren, skal de være tørre og opbevares tørt. Kulde tager de ikke skade af. Sørg for at evt. rulleforsejl er sikret forsvarligt når du går fra båden. Få evt. coatet dine sejl, allerede helt fra nye. Det forlænger levetiden og gør dem smudsafvisende.   READ MORE

NORTH SAILS IN DETROIT WELCOMES NEW EXPERTISE Spencer Colpaert Joins The Midwest Regional Sales Team North Sails is pleased to announced that Spencer Colpaert has joined the Detroit team and will work alongside Karl Kuspa and Skip Dieball. Spencer’s passion for sailing started on the Detroit River and Lake St Clair racing in Bayview Yacht Club’s Jr. Sailing Program on Optis, 420s and Lasers. When Spencer wasn’t sailing dinghies, he was out on the water sailing every evening and weekend race he could, learning valuable skills on a variety of different boats. He also spent endless hours training on Bayview’s fleet of Ultimate 20s, match racing against some of the top sailors in the world. He now races alongside various match racing teams, including teams that have reached 1st in the US and 16th in the world at World Match Race Tour events. Following his push into match racing, Spencer sailed with top teams in the Beneteau 36.7, Farr 40, Melges 24, 32 and J70 One Design classes as well as larger boats such as TP52’s and the Maxi Z86, Windquest, among many others. Spencer began his sailmaking career in Detroit working on the loft floor learning the ins and outs of the trade. He trained in Annapolis to further refine his skills, as well as Newport, RI. His years working on the loft floor have provided him with the insight to repair sails, as well as consult customers on sail designs. After 10 years in the sail making industry, Spencer is very excited to make his move back home to Detroit to help support the sailing community in both Detroit and the entire Great Lakes region with the North Sails Detroit team. Spencer understands the community and knows what it takes to help his customers in any aspect on and off the water. READ MORE

NORTH CLIENTS EXCEL OFFSHORE IN 19/20 SEASON A Busy Year Of Offshore Racing Ends With Success Joss, Ian Clyne ©Lindsay Preece- Ironbark Photos After several years as the bridesmaid, Alan Stein in his GP 42 Dirty Deeds has won the coveted Siska Trophy (Overall Winner under IRC for the 6 race Blue Water Championship). Alan also won the Farrawa Cup hosted by Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, a series of shorter offshore races. Ian Clyne, with his J-122 Joss was 2nd in the Siska Trophy, 2nd in the Farrawa Cup and First in both the Success and Captain Stirling Cups, hosted by Fremantle Sailing Club. Paul and Ceris Arns with their Mat 1245 Obsession rounded out the podium for the Siska Trophy and 2nd in the Success Cup. Paul and Ceris are also the reigning IRC State IRC Champions. Mark Nagle with his Fred Barrett 35 Weapon of Choice was third in the Farrawa Cup, 3rd in the Success Cup and 3rd in the Weekend Series. Michael Thorpe with his S&S34 won YAH( performance handicap) in Division 2 of the Success Cup. A special mention to Todd Giraudo with his SunFast 3600 Kraken for the Overall win in the 340nm Fremantle to Albany Race. Todd sailed double handed, an amazing achievement. Second place overall was another SunFast 3600 Crush owned by David Davenport. David sailed fully crewed, another great result for his first major ocean race. Next up the IRC State Championship to be sailed in Conjunction with the Valmadre Offshore winter series. Get your team at the front of the pack. Call your local North expert for more information on upgrading your sail inventory to best your competition. Dirty Deeds, Alan Stein ©Lindsay Preece- Ironbark Photos Obsession, Paul and Ceris Arns ©Lindsay Preece- Ironbark Photos Weapon of Choice, Mark Nagle © Lindsay Preece- Ironbark Photos Soon, Michael Thorpe ©Lindsay Preece- Ironbark Photos READ MORE

L’ABC, LA SEULE TRANSAT D'OUEST EN EST! Un Rallye retour en flotte sécurisée des Antilles aux Açores 📸 oasisphoto.fr Une Transatlantique retour, partant des Antilles vers l’Europe, est le concept derrière l’Atlantic Back Cruising (l’ABC). North Sails est l’un des partenaires de cet événement unique dont le coup d’envoi a été lancé dimanche 12 mai 2019 en Guadeloupe. La traversée s’effectue en flotte depuis Pointe-à-Pitre jusqu’aux Açores. Chaque bateau bénéficie d’une assistance maritime et d’un suivi individualisé (routage, météo, suivi satellite) du départ à l’arrivée à Ponta Delgada, puis jusqu’au port d’attache final. Pour cette deuxième édition, ils étaient 15 bateaux hauturiers course ou croisière (mono ou multi) à quitter la Marina Bas du Fort (port du Gosier) dans des conditions favorables, salués par le parrain du Rallye, le skipper Guadeloupéen Rodolphe Sepho. Actuellement, les équipages composés de 4 à 5 équipiers, soit près de 75 navigants qui participent à l’aventure, se dirigent vers l’Est et seront attendus vers la fin mai ou début juin à Ponta Delgada aux Açores. L’Atlantic Back Cruising a l’ambition de devenir un événement incontournable pour les bateaux qui traversent l’Atlantique d’Ouest en Est, et ils sont plus de 2000 à effectuer la traversée chaque année. L’ABC s’adresse aux voiliers désireux de rentrer en France après avoir passé plusieurs mois ou années aux Antilles, mais également aux voiliers de course qui rentrent d’une régate ou d’un Rallye Atlantique (Transquadra, course du Rorc, rallye de l’ARC…). Depuis la première Route du Rhum en 1978, la Guadeloupe a créé une relation intime avec le monde de la voile. Le port du Gosier à Pointe-à-Pitre, idéalement situé pour partir vers un voyage retour, dispose de toutes les Infrastructures pour préparer son bateau à une longue traversée. Quant aux Açores, le choix s’imposait comme une évidence : cet archipel est l’escale obligatoire sur le parcours du retour vers la Métropole. 📸 oasisphoto.fr READ MORE

MINI EN MAI 2019 Une édition particulière mais menée de main de maitre par le comité de course 📸 Jacques Vapillon La mini en mai s’est déroulée du 6 mai au 10 mai. Un départ avancé pour cause de fort coup de vent, une neutralisation de la course pendant 24h, puis un second départ où les coureurs sont repartis en fonction des temps du premier parcours. Après une lutte acharnée, Axel Tréhin (FRA 945) signe une très belle 2 ème place en classement proto. Pour l’occasion, Axel avait reçu ses voiles plates en 3Di. Prochaine course, le trophée Marie Agnès Péron à Douarnenez, début juin. READ MORE

Zagrijavanje pred ORC Svjetsko prvenstvo Foto: Hrvoje Duvančić - regate.com.hr Unatoč očekivanjima da će većina hrvatske flote koja se prijavila za jedrenje na SP doći u Šibenik, to se nažalost nije ostvarilo. Zamišljeno je da se regata jedri tri dana - petak, subotu i nedjelju - i da se izađe na oba regatana polja koja će se koristiti na Prvenstvu. Međutim, par dana pred početak regate i dalje je na startnom popisu bilo samo 8 jedrilica, pa su organizatori u dogovoru s jedriličarima odustali od trodnevne regate i skratili je na samo dva natjecateljska dana. Kako je prognozom najavljeno dosta jako jugo za cijeli vikend, skoro sve posade su obavile transfere već u četvrtak i nekoliko ih je petak iskoristilo za trening po jakom vjetru. Koliko su bili atraktivni uvjeti za jedrenje govori podatak da je jedrilica Dubrovnik po 25 čvorova juga jedrila brzinom 18 čvorova! U subotu je flota izašla na more s nadom da će pokušati startati s prvim jedrenjem u podne jer jugo još nije bilo prejako. Ali dok se plovilo prema poziciji između Zlarina, Obonjana i Prvića, vjetar je kontinuirano jačao. Regatni odbor je preventivno savjetovao natjecateljima da se sklone u zavjetrinu Zlarinske uvale, dok su suci izašli na "brisani prostor" potencijalnog regatnog polja. Tamo ih je dočekalo vrlo valovito more, a jugo je s prosječnih dvadeset čvorova u roku od dvadesetak minuta eskaliralo na prosječnih 25 s udarima od preko 30 čvorova. Po pravilima ORC-a, ne savjetuje se startanje regate po vjetru koji je jači od 22 - 23 čvora, jer tada točnost kalkulacije rezultata dolazi u pitanje. Naime, polarni dijagrami koji se dobivaju iz ORC-ovog VPP-a (Velocity Predicting Program) su između 6 i 20 čvorova stvarnog vjetra (true wind speed - TWS). Ali ako za vrijeme jedrenja plova koji je startao unutar dogovorenih limita dođe do pojačanja vjetra, a uvjeti još nisu tako loši da bi se zbog sigurnosti prekinulo jedrenje, plov se ne prekida i jedri se do kraja. S obzirom na situaciju na moru RO je proglasio odgodu i pridružio se jedriličarima na Zlarinu, gdje su nakon par sati proglasili kraj čekanja i raspustili natjecatelje. Kiša između subote i nedjelje je ugušila jugo i nedjeljno jutro je bilo lijepo i sunčano s nekoliko čvorova oštrina. Randezvous na regatnom polju je dogovoren za 11:00, a prvi start je signaliziran u 11:25. Foto: Hrvoje Duvančić - regate.com.hr Startalo se po 6-7 čvorova iz 195°. Flota je ugodno jedrila, a u zoni pred privjetrinskom oznakom vjetar je počeo slabiti. Srećom bilo ga je dovoljno da se jedrilice neprekidno kreću i da su jedra napuhana. Regatni odbor ne prekida jedrenje i to se kasnije pokazuje dobrom odlukom, jer se nakon desetak minuta vjetar vraća i sve jedrilice uspješno dolaze do cilja. Čak i posada Blue Chipa može biti zadovoljna ishodom, jer je ova jedrilica imala najviše problema s vjetrom, ne ulazi u cilj u grupi s ostalima, ali nakon korekcije rezultata zauzima 5. mjesto. U rezultatima se može vidjeti da je i u ovom i u idućem jedrenju uz jedrilicu X-Cite oznaka DNC. Oni su se u subotu vratili u Biograd, a svoju odluku su donijeli na osnovu kombinacije vremenske prognoze po kojoj se u nedjelju nije trebalo održati ni jedno jedrenje i umora posade koja se par dana ranije vratila s Kornati Cupa. Nakon blage korekcije regatnog polja, jer je vjetar za desetak stupnjeva otišao u lijevo, krenuo se s drugim jedrenjem. Start je bio točno u 13 sati, a vjetar je sad već pojačao na preko deset čvorova. Koliko brže se jedrilo vidi se u usporedbi realnih vremena ulaska u cilj. Razlike su u prosjeku bile oko 25 minuta! Ovog puta je vjetar imao ravnomjeran pritisak po cijelom regatnom polju i nije se ponovila situacija kao sat ranije kad je Dehler ostao iza sviju. Ovog puta je ušao kao predzadnji realno, ali nakon korekcije odnosi pobjedu. Odmah iza njega završavaju pobjednici prvog plova, domaća ekipa s Anđele X. Također je veliku razliku u rezultatima napravila i ekipa jedrilice Dubrovnik. Oni su u prvom plovu nakon korekcije završili na 7. mjestu, dok su u drugom plovu finiširali kao 4. Za razliku od njih posada Mareusa je bila konstantno dobra i knjiži drugo i treće mjesto. Polar iGringo su također dosta oscilirali nakon korekcije, dok je Munjek po matematičkom modelu trebao biti mnogo brži u oba plova. I pokušan je još jedan plov. U 14:30 se startalo po sad već jakom oštrinu. U međuvremenu su se skupili i oblaci nošeni burom, tako da je bilo za očekivati da će doći do neke značajnije promjene situacije. Do tog preokreta dolazi već za vrijeme završetka jedrenja prve krme, kad vjetar kreće sa značajnim pomakom u lijevo. Do toga dolazi toliko brzo da RO ne stiže reagirati s "Charlijem" i nema drugog izbora do označavanja prekida jedrenja. Kako se to desilo par minuta prije 15 sati - vremenskog ograničenja - regata se mogla proglasiti završenom! READ MORE

ERFOLGREICHE NORTH SAILS KUNDEN IM FINN UND STAR AM BODENSEE Gleich in zwei One Design Klassen standen nur Segler, die North Sails vertrauen, auf dem Podest! Herzlichen Glückwunsch den Siegern und allen Teilnehmern bei diesen garstigen Bedingungen! Jollenregatta, Mammern, 27.-28. April 2019 Bericht von der Finn Klasse Schweiz: In Mammern gabs nichts zum Jammern! 20 Finnsegler gaben sich die Ehre bei der diesjährigen Jollenregatta in Mammern. Ein französischen Freund liess sich allerdings am Samstag morgen von Horror-Wind-Gerüchten auf Windfinder abschrecken – er zahlte sein Startgeld…. und verschwand, sodass am Ende 19 in die Liste kamen. Tatsächlich wehten einige Böen am Samstagmittag kräftig mit über 20 Knoten, der konstante Wind hielt sich allerdings stets deutlich unter der 12 Knoten Marke und war angenehm zu segeln. Einige der Teilnehmer erzählten von Regenschauern ja sogar Graupelschauern und Frostbeulen während der Wettfahrt, dem Autor ist so etwas an unserem schönen, stets sonnenverwöhnten und warmen Bodensee völlig unbekannt und er kann dieses nicht bestätigen. (Zudem würde er natürlich Ärger mit dem hiesigen Tourismusverband bekommen). Ein stärkerer Westwind ist vor Mammern immer anspruchsvoll zu segeln. Das buchtige Ufer auf der nördlichen Seite scheint immer bevorteilt, lässt aber dann bei Annäherung zur Luvtonne oft seine Jünger im Stich. Sodass diejenigen, die in der Mitte bei 10 bis 15 Grad Drehern eine Wende nach der anderen setzen am häufigsten mit guten Plätzen an der Luvtonne belohnt werden. Bereits im ersten Lauf am Samstag kamen damit Oliver Wirz und der Autor (also Bollo - also ich) mit dieser Taktik als die ersten beiden oben an. Vorwind konnte sich Oliver Wirz ein „Muckesäckele“ nach vorne schieben und fuhr dann schulbuchmässig immer zwischen Tonne und dem Gegner ( also dem Autor, also Bollo, also mir ) gen Luv, dieser, (also der Gegner also der Autor also ich) dachte sich: "ok Kollege, dann schauen wir mal wie weit Du mit mir in die Grütze fährsts" , war bald überrrascht von der Leidensfähigkeit seines Peinigers und noch überraschter als Thomas Bangerter den vorderen Zweikampf nutzte um sich auf der Kreuz aus einem sichern 100 Meter Abstand vor ihn zu schieben. Also erster Lauf Oliver (mit gutem Abstand) 1. Thomas 2. Ich dritter. Im zweiten Lauf ähnliches Spiel, allerdings war Thomas dort bereits auf dem ersten Vorwind mit gutem Abstand mit Oliver vorweg. Ich konnte dann auf der kurzen Zielkreuz noch 4 Plätze holen und kam mit 3 Zentimer Abstand als 3. vor Bernd Rimmele ins Ziel. Das Duo Oliver Wirz (1.) und Thomas Bangerter (2.) konnten auch den 3. Lauf deutlich für sich entscheiden. Nach 3 Läufen bei bockigem Westwind waren dann alle Finnisti froh, dass die Wettfahrtleitung vom angedrohten 4. Lauf absah und uns in den sicheren aber recht kühlen und nassen Hafen schickte. Bei Freibier gespendet von der Bootswerft Schenk Yachtbau und der Fireball KV würden dann noch Heldentaten ausgetauscht, bevor es dann traditionell in den Saal des Gasthauses "Hecht" zum Nachtessen ging. Teuflischer Weise waren die Kinder und Jugendlichen so nett zu den Gästen (beim übrigens sehr guten Essen), dass man Ihnen niemals ausschlagen konnte, wenn Sie nachfragten, ob noch etwas zu Trinken zu bringen sei -Sie hatten einfach sehr viel Spass am Bier zapfen. So saßen also die höflichen Finnsegler bis in die Nacht und ließen sich ein Bier nach dem anderen bringen - natürlich nur um den Kindern die Freude am Zapfen zu ermöglichen. Ebenso war die recht spät angekündigte Startzeit von 10:30 Uhr nicht allzu motivierend zu früh den Saal zu verlassen ( beim Schreiben dieser Zeilen kommt mir da fast der Verdacht, dass die niedlichen Bedienungen und der späte Start irgendwie zum Plan der Gastgeber gehörten den Getränkeumsatz zu puschen). Der Sonntag empfing die Segler dann mit etwas weniger aber umso launischerem Westwind, bei "nahezu tropischen Temperaturen und strahlendem Sonnenschein" … (ok ich treff den Chef vom Tourismus Büro regelmäßig also nehmts mir nicht übel). Oliver Witz hat beide Läufe gewonnen. Er konnte somit einen 1. Platz streichen. Thomas Bangerter schwächelte etwas und ließ den Autor ( also…bla bla) die 4 Punkte von Samstag aufholen, er und der Autor waren somit Punktgleich und der 3. Lauf am Sonntag wäre die Entscheidung gewesen, leider kam es nicht dazu, denn ein (warmer fast tropischer) Schauer kam diesesmal von Norden, sodass der Wind erst 90 Grad drehte und sich dann zurück an den Nordpol verabschiedete. Die Wettfahrtleitung reagierte auch hier tadellos, broch den Start für die Finns ab, und die Wettfahrt für die anderen Klassen auch. Nach sehr kurzem abwarten auf dem Wasser schickte sie die Flotte an Land. Siegerehrung wie immer mir süßem und saurem Most als Teilnehmerpreis und Sekt (oder Apfelsekt ? - habs noch nicht probiert) für die Sieger. Wie immer haben die beteiligten des kleinen Vereins in Mammern wieder alles gegeben um die über 60 angereisten Segler der 3 Klassen zufrieden zu stellen. Die sehr freundschaftliche und bemühte Aufnahme der Gäste ist immer wieder klasse. Auf dem Wasser überzeugt die Wettfahrtleitung mit Regel und Revierkenntnis. Noch ein Wort zum Wetter: Bei der Heimfahrt kurz vorm Hafen schlief ja der Wind ein, und es schien die Sonne – ein neben mir treibender Contender Segler meint zu mir: "Das ist doch klasse, so können wir wenigstens ohne Regen einpacken!" er sollte recht behalten als wir im Hafen waren... kamen die ersten Graupelschauer. Oliver Wirz, 5 Pkte Thomas Bangerter, 11 Pkte. Andreas Bollongino, 11 Pkte. Bollo GER 19 (der als zahlendes Mitglied der Schweizer KV sich den Luxus erkauft hat als 3. Schweizer gezählt zu werden und schreiben zu dürfen – toll gemacht ) Bodenseemeisterschaft der Starboote, Bregenz, 4.-5. Mai 2019 Bericht von der Star Klasse Schweiz: Mit der Bodenseemeisterschaft wurde am letzten Wochenende die erste Schweizer Star Regatte ausgetragen. Erstmals organisierte der Yacht Club Bregenz und konnte vier Wettfahrten durchführen. Der Sieg ging an das Team Hans Stöckli/Alex Gouda, mit einem Punkt vor Jürg Ryffel/Beat Heinz. Rang 3 geht an Bernhard Seger / Walter Oess. An der durch den Yacht Club Bregenz hervorragend organisierten Bodenseemeisterschaft konnten am 4. und 5. Mai vier Wettfahrten durchgeführt werden. Wahrscheinlich verhinderte der angesagte Wintereinbruch oder die fehlenden Winterpneus am Anhänger ein grösseres Teilnehmerfeld. Nur 6 Boote! Am Samstag kurz nach dem Skippermeeting überquerte eine Westfront mit ca. 5 Windstärke die Bregenzer Bucht. Drei Starboote waren rechtzeitig am Start, der Laufsieg ging an das Team Hans Stöckli/Alex Gouda vor Jürg Ryffel/Beat Heinz. Am Sonntag knapp unter der Schneefallgrenze bei einem frischen Nordwind konnten drei weitere Wettfahrten durchgeführt werden. Die Ausgangslage vor dem 4. Lauf war spannend, mit zwei 1. und einem 2. Rang führte das Team Hans Stöckli/Alex Gouda vor Jürg Ryffel/Beat Heinz mit den Rängen 2/2/1. Wenn zwei sich streiten freuen sich die dritten, Bernhard Seger mit Walter Oess konnten den 4. Lauf für sich entscheiden. Somit präsentierte sich folgende Schlussrangliste: Hans Stöckli / Alex Gouda 4 Punkte Jürg Ryffel / Beat Heinz 5 Punkte Bernhard Seger / Walter Oess 7 Punkte Dorett Hanhart / Dominik Schenk 12 Punkte Arthur Rebsamen / Beatrice Rebsamen 15 Punkte Hermann Wegener / Steffi Kern 21 Punkte READ MORE

COACHINGS PERSONNALISES, SUR L'EAU ET A TERRE! Les North Experience sont de retour en 2019 ! Nous vous préparons déjà les prochaines sessions. Que ce soit en Surprise, Grand Surprise, Luthi, Psaros, Esse ou M2, profitez d’un moment unique afin d’apprendre tous les trucs de nos navigateurs professionnels, autant lors d’une navigation qu’à terre ! Le 26 mai dans le haut-lac et le 18 août à Lausanne/Pully, des sessions d’accompagnement auront lieu pour les Esse 850. N’hésitez pas à contacter Julien Monnier pour vous inscrire. Pour en savoir plus ou encore demander la création de votre session, prenez contact avec Julien Monnier (079 574 11 15) Exemple de journée-type de coaching : 10h00 - 12h00 : workshop sur le réglage des voiles et du gréement / questions diverses / mise en application sur les bateaux 13h00 - 16h30 : navigation avec séquences de départ et petits parcours autour de bouées / interventions VHF et à bord A partir de 17h00 : apéritif-débriefing... Options de coaching : - ACCOMPAGNEMENT A BORD ‘in situ’, module de base Partie théorique puis mise en application avec le réglage du gréement de vos bateaux Coaching personnalisé en navigation, prise de vues techniques Débriefing à terre, images photos & vidéos à l'appui, questions/réponses Happy hour North Sails - ACCOMPAGNEMENT A BORD ‘in situ’, module de perfectionnement Partie théorique puis mise en pratique sur l’eau Travail spécifique sur les départs : mesure du côté favorable, plan alternatif, positionnement et lancement, assistance électronique Travail spécifique sur les manœuvres : technique de virement & d’empannage, gestion des croisements, passage des marques de parcours, différents types d’envoi et d’affalé de spi Autres thèmes possibles, à déterminer ensemble ! Débriefing à terre, images photos & vidéos à l’appui, questions/réponses Happy hour North Sails - ACCOMPAGNEMENT SPÉCIAL RÉGATE Analyse Météo Préparation du bateau Encadrement de l’équipage Analyse stratégique Optimisation et astuces sur les réglages Happy hour North Sails - ACCOMPAGNEMENT THÉORIQUE à la voilerie Sujet à la carte, à définir ensemble : entretien des voiles, réglages de voiles via North-U-Simulator, tactique et stratégie, playbook, etc Happy hour North Sails READ MORE

AN EVENING TO SUPPORT ABLE SAILING North Sails Supports Sailors Of All Abilities AbleSail Kingston has been operating an adapted sailing program for people with disabilities out of Kingston Yacht Club since 2002. The Able Sail Program can offer the freedom of sailing to those with even extremely limited mobility using their specially designed and adapted boats, the Martin 16 and the 2.4 Metre for single-handed sailing, and the Sonar for crews of up to six people. The boats are rigged for incredible safety and for those with limited mobility in mind, ensuring maximum stability in all weather or wind conditions. The adapted steering and sail handling controls are welcome modifications to otherwise complicated procedures for those who are unable to scramble about as they would need to in traditionally rigged sailboats. “The only time I forget I can’t walk is when I’m dreaming or sailing.” The AbleSail program has recently expanded to welcome those with mental disabilities as well, thanks in large part to the incredible coaches hired to run the program and the many volunteers that offer their time and assistance as well. Every year shortly after March Break, the Kingston sailing community comes together to both raise money for and renew awareness of, AbleSails' mission and programming. The event includes a highly successful silent auction, a baked goods table and more recently, has featured a sailing presentation given by special guest speakers from many different parts of the globe. Last year it was a member of winning America's Cup team from New Zealand. This year's talk was via a skype telecall with Jack Boutell, a team member of the Volvo Ocean Race winner, Dongfeng Racing. Additionally, Jack recently purchased O Canada, the well known Open 60 built by the late Derek Hatfield. Jack intends to sail in the 2020 edition of the Vendee Globe round the world single handed race. Jack regaled the crowd with vivid stories of determination, hardship, leadership and triumph in a very hard fought win. A fitting parallel for so many in the program with day to day challenges getting around on land. North Sail's motto of Going Beyond seems to be so pertinent for those who have participated in the AbleSail program as they need to go above and beyond daily. Beyond their comfort zone. Beyond their usual horizons. Beyond their reality. North Sails is proud to have been able to support AbleSail's mission through auction items. READ MORE

GEARING UP FOR THE 2019 RACE TO MACKINAC Tom Pease Shares Heavy Weather Tips At The Offshore Safety Sea Training I attended and presented at the International Offshore Safety at Sea course hosted by Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan (SEAS) with instructors Brian Adams and Mike Bush last weekend. For sailors participating in the 2019 Race to Mackinac Safety at Sea is now required for 50% of every boat’s crew. As I have in the past, I was offered the opportunity of presenting the Heavy Weather Sailing portion of the seminar. After two years in a row of fairly heavy air upwind work in the Mac I expanded the topic beyond the sails and rules to include more tips and techniques for sail trim and boat handling both upwind and downwind. A special thanks to Bill Gladstone and North U for some of the videos and animations. There’s no question that having the right sails for conditions greatly improves the boats performance and your results. I’ve found that it’s just as important in keeping the boat under control as it is in keeping the crew fresh and functional in trying conditions. When you’re sailing in 25 knots, slamming into 6 to 8-foot waves that feel like they are barely more than a boat length apart, it is most definitely trying conditions for the crew, the boat and the equipment. We spent a full day in a classroom setting covering numerous topics of safety gear and procedures. It’s a great opportunity to become familiar with the latest technology available for us to both protect ourselves and take advantage of while either racing, cruising or day sailing. I know my shopping list was fairly extensive for both personal gear and boat gear, I suspect others had equally long wish lists. Other presenters on the first day included Whitney Kent doing the Weather module and Adam Grandlic giving us some basic Medical insight, as well as a representative of the US Coast Guard bringing us up to speed on their protocol and what we should expect should we need their assistance. Day two is optional for the Race to Mackinac but was a great opportunity to get into the pool in full gear, test out our PFD’s and climb into a life raft. It was a challenge in the pool with relatively warm water and a controlled environment; I definitely don’t want to ever experience a real life in the water event of myself or a crew mate. Bottom line, respect the elements, respect your equipment and respect the reality that bad things can happen when you’re in the heat of the moment. It's always great to get together with a bunch of sailors to talk about sails, boats and equipment. Now I’m even more anxious for the season to start and get back out on the water. READ MORE

NOTHING BEATS 40 YEARS OF SAILMAKING EXPERIENCE Bill Lesnek Reputation For Exceptional Work In Sail and Kite Repairs Has Led To His Cult-Like Following For Service Work Brian Lefeve has worked with Bill Lesnek over the years in the world of kiteboarding repairs and sailmaking, leading to a friendship filled with fond memories and priceless learning moments. He shares what makes Bill the go to guy for kiteboarding repairs and advice. Tell Us About Your Journey To Where You Are Today and Great Lakes Surf. Well when I was 10 years old, my parents drove us to California and I tried surfing for the first time and got hooked. When we got back home I was really ... I didn't know about surfing in Michigan, so I got into wind surfing when I was 11. Wind surfing just became addicted and started teaching wind surfing when I worked for a company called The Wind Surf Company, Keego Harbors. I managed that shop for many years. I taught wind surfing and then in 80, or 98-99, that's when kiting came out and they sent us a kite, we tried it out and we got hooked. I was teaching myself how to kite and then a lot of other people wanted to learn and I pretty much started a school out of that. Out of the necessity of people wanting to try the sport. it just evolved into that and then it got really busy and I started camps and then I rent some space from within North Sails; when we had kite repairs I'd have Billy do the repairs and he did phenomenal job. I would help prep him a little bit, and then he'd just do the sewing. Then after awhile I had more and more people coming in for repairs and we just gave them to Billy. It was great as that. I mean it worked so well because of course the ripstop materials are all the same, the sewing, everything. It was just such an ideal situation to be in that loft at the start up of kiting because people were learning and ripping their kites. What Keeps You Coming Back To North Sails? The quality of the work. Billy does an amazing job and there's a couple other places that you can send your kite out to, which is called Air Time. They have a facility in Florida and then another one in California, but the expensive of shipping it out. They do a good job, but if you have somebody local that can do just as good a job, if not that better, it makes more sense to keep everything local. What's Your Favourite Aspect Of Working With Billy? I guess, just the relationship we had. Bill's a really easy going guy, so he's very friendly. It was easy to work in the same facility as him. Now I didn't work for North, I just rented the space from them of course, but just the fact that we could joke around and have fun. At the same time though, he taught me a lot too. Just about the ripstop and the materials and how he does his work too. It was easier for me to really help sell him as a repair guy because I saw his work and he taught me a good portion of it. He showed me how to prep tights in the beginning when he was really busy so I could prep them, he could sew them. Just the fact that he was a great teacher too and mentor. The best thing is the turnaround time is so fast. That's another thing because if you send your kite out, you're looking at a week and a half to two weeks sometimes. I just try to ensure people, "Hey man, that's why I send everyone to Billy and Mike. You want to get it done, get it done quick and get it done right, that's where you go." Learn more about the Detroit team & their experience! READ MORE

ET DE TROIS SUR LE FIGARO 3 North Sails aux premières loges Solo Maître Coq 2019 📸 B. Gergaud 47 navigants en lice, une jolie palette de marins chevronnés et 3 premières places au podium pour les coureurs North Sails (même palmarès que sur l’épreuve précédente durant la Sardinha Cup). La 16e édition de la Solo Maître Coq s’est achevée samedi 2 mai après de belles batailles et de riches rebondissements entre différents leaders. Les conditions étaient variées sur cette première épreuve en solitaire du circuit Figaro Beneteau qui a mené les concurrents de l’île de Ré à Belle-Ile en passant par le plateau de Rochebonne et la bouée Houlographe, dans l’ouest d’Oléron. Après deux jours de courses côtières et une grande course au large de 340 milles, c’est finalement Xavier Macaire sur SNEF qui l’emporte au classement général. Tanguy Le Turquais (Quéguiner) prend la deuxième place et Morgan Lagravière (Avec vous sur la Solitaire) termine troisième. Ces 3 bateaux Figaro 3 sont tous dotés de voiles North Sails. Le prochain rendez-vous sera la Solo Concarneau qui se déroulera du 10 au 15 mai 2019, dernière opportunité de se distinguer avant le coup d’envoi de l’épreuve reine de la saison, la Solitaire Urgo - Le Figaro qui aura lieu le 2 juin 2019. Affaire à suivre… READ MORE

GROWING STRONG AT EXPO VOILE North Sails Toronto Joins Marina Gosselin A weekend of cold temperatures, rain and FUN at Marina Gosselin with North Sails Toronto. Louisa and Kyann joined local North Sails rep Miro Balcar for the annual Expo Voile in Quebec to connect with sailor and celebrate the season ahead. Located an hour south of Montreal, Marina Gosselin is a sailing hub for local sailors who have a passion for sailing and quality time on their boats with loved ones and friends. North Sails Toronto's Louisa Sonosky commented; "Connecting face to face with our Quebec customers is always a joy! Their enthusiasm for cruising, their boats and passion for sailing is infectious - you can't help but get excited about sailing when you're with them." It was fantastic to see so many new and familiar faces and discuss new sail options with customers, especially 3Di technology. With cruising as the primary focus for sailors, 3Di NORDAC was a hot topic amongst the team, as well as 3Di Raw and 3Di Endurance for those who interested in sailing south with their boats. Those with their sails in hand are waiting for mother nature to cooperate so they can go sailing! Long time customer Marc Deslauriers, owner of a Beneteau First 38, can't wait to get out to try his new NPL Tour Xi Furling Genoa and Tour Xi Full Batten Mainsail this summer. 3Di NORDAC owner Jean-Sebastien was also sharing the same sentiments. "Connecting face to face with our Quebec customers is always a joy! Their enthusiasm for cruising, their boats and passion for sailing is infectious - you can't help but get excited about sailing when you're with them." The team was also able to deliver the Solo Valcour flags (below) for the upcoming 2019 race, started by Miro Balcar years ago to help promote single handed distance cruising in the area. North Sails Toronto is proud to keep their sponsorship of the event going with the custom flags for the event; a staple in the local community. READ MORE

MUSTERING FOR CRUISERS Kingston Yacht Club Cruiser's Spring Muster Despite an ice-locked harbour as winter turned to spring cruisers from Kingston's oldest yacht club gathered to celebrate the coming of a new sailing season. Organized by past Commodore Rosemary Wilson and board member Bob Story, the muster is a chance to mix, mingle, and share plans for the upcoming season. Story and Wilson thought it essential for the Kingston Yacht Club, and its members to make cruising a point of emphasis. Racing at many clubs is the focal point because it's so visual and prominent. The activity of race nights and weekend regattas draws a lot of attention. It is almost the opposite when cruisers go cruising. North Sails is proud to support such initiatives that help cruisers get out on the water more and celebrate their adventures on the water! Of course, the Club, situated in one of the most beautiful sailing venues in the world, has its share of summertime event cruises. The club even has property down the river to sail and visit. But for many sailing couples and families, these events are just a little too organized, not on a convenient date or not adventurous enough. Story and Wilson wondered if there shouldn't be more recognition of members' wanderlust and sense of adventure. To throw off the lines. Leave a safe harbour to go out to explore, challenge oneself. To see new places and meet new friends. With the support of the Club, these two independent cruisers created a series of purposeful awards. Multiple trophies are awarded each year; ranging from making the longest continuous cruise in a single season on KYC’s Home Waters (St. Lawrence River) to the highest number of miles in KYC’s Home Waters. Additionally, distance flags are also awarded to sailors sailing a minimal number of miles in KYC’s Home Waters : 250-mile flags; 500-mile flags; 1000-mile flags. An additional aim of the Musters is to create an atmosphere for collecting and sharing knowledge gained by members who have ventured far and wide. This bolsters the collective expertise of the membership while identifying members with expertise and insight to share with others. The spring muster was purposely designed to be held a few hours before the Club's Nautical Night speakers series. This was a win win win for all. North Sails was happy to support such a fantastic initiative on the Great Lakes and within KYC. North Sails Toronto donated three prizes that were raffled off to cruisers in attendance! Explore North Sails line of cruising products today! READ MORE

North Technology Group kao vrlo važna karika na 36. America's Cupu Foto: America's Cup 2019. će biti povijesna godina za America's Cup, natjecanje za najstariji trofej na međunarodnoj sportskoj sceni kao i za North Technology Group s posebnim fokusom na North Sails, Southern Spars i Future Fibres, koji će imat vrlo važnu ulogu. Kasnije ove godine, predviđeno je da timovi porinu svoje prve jedrilice tipa AC75, nevjerojatne foiling monotrupce sposobne postizati brzine kakve do sada nisu viđene na America's Cupu na regatnim poljima, kao i na bilo kojim drugim jedriličarskim natjecanjima ovog tipa. Razvijanje snage koja gura ove jedrilice u „crveno“, a očekuje se da će se razvijati brzine od oko 50 čvorova do 2021. kad treba početi America's Cup, omogućavati će revolucionarni dizajni snasti i jedrilja koji su rezultat dugogodišnjeg ulaganja u razvoj i dizajn. Na dva posljednja izdanja America's Cupa koristila su se kruta jedra, a ona predstavljaju izniman logistički izazov u rukovanju na većim jedrilicama. Kod njih je nužna pomoć kopnenog tima s dizalicama i prije i poslije jedrenja. I da bi se izbjegnuli logistički zahtjevi tog tipa na America's Cupu 2021. će se koristiti jarboli tradicionalnijeg stila s „twin skin“ jedrima koje će posade moći podizati i spuštati na moru, slično na klasičnim jedrilicama. Osim smanjenja logističkih zahtjeva i troškova, ovo omogućava lakše prenošenje tehnoloških dostignuća svim ostalim jedriličarima. Tehnološki cilj je da se aerodinamička učinkovitost približi krutom krilu s prošlih izdanja dok bi se u razumnim granicama nastojala zadržati potreba za snagom koju treba koristiti za upravljanje jedriljem i kontrolnim sustavima. Ovo nije jedan od lako rješivih problema, stoga je ključno da se uz upotrebu najboljih softverskih alata dođe do pobjedničkog dizajna. Do danas su North Sails kao dobavljača izabrala četiri od pet timova koji trenutno treniraju za 36. America's Cup. Ovo nije slučajnost – Nort Sails je opskrbljivao sve izazivače i branitelje ovog natjecanja još od 1988. godine. „North Sails je preuzeo vodeću ulogu u America's Cupu jer je tvrtka uvijek nastojala biti tehnološki lider“, izjavio je predsjednik tvrtke i jedriličar s iskustvom jedrenja na America's Cupu, Ken Read. „U tvrtci imamo velik broj talentiranih ljudi, a neki od njih su vodeći u svijetu u tome što rade. America's Cup je događaj koji nastavlja izazivati najveće umove i koji nas tjera gledati u novim smjerovima – tako će biti i u ovom ciklusu i mi u North Sailsu smo stvarno uzbuđeni što ćemo biti u samoj prethodnici.“ Foto: North Sails Za predstojeći 36. America's Cup, North Sails, Sauthern Spars i Future Fibres kombinirat će svoje talente i know-how za razvoj „motora iznad palube“, koji će stvarati dovoljno snage da se generiraju brzine koje će AC75 monotrupce podizati iznad mora na hidrofoilove i tako reducirati otpor prolaska kroz more i dramatično povećati brzine jedrilica. Ove tri tvrtke neće samo djelovati kao opskrbljivači timova. U stvari, njihovi inžinjeri i dizajneri pomogli su branitelju naslova Emirates Team New Zealand i službenom izazivaču Luna Rossi sa svojim stručnim savjetima prilikom kreiranja pravila za AC75. Također i sada, nekoliko dizajnera iz North Sailsa je integrirano u dizajnerske timove. „Emirates Team New Zealand pristupio je North Sailsu neposredno nakon osvajanja America's Cupa na otočju Bermuda u lipnju 2017. s molbom da uz upotrebu naših softverskih alata pomognemo u modeliranju novog AC75 koncepta, da se definiraju stvari poput veličine snasti i npr. kako „twin skin“ sustav treba raditi. Kiwiji su prepoznali da smo jedini dovoljno napredni ne samo po pitanju softverskih alata, već i po pitanju ljudi koji koji su sposobni koncept dovesti do upotrebljivosti“, istaknuo je dizajner iz Nort Sailsa, Gautier Sergent. Foto: Emirates Team New Zealand „Radili smo na pravilima za aero paket oko osam mjeseci, tako da je dosta razvoja alata koja koristimo u North Sails Suite moralo biti napravljeno prije objavljivanja pravila za AC75.“ Od te napredne, ali generičke polazne točke, dizajneri North Sailsa koji su se od tada integrirali u različite timove America's Cupa sada rade neovisno o matičnoj tvrtci, ulažući sve svoje napore u izradu najbržeg paketa za svoj tim. Tako je npr. Gautier Sergent član INEOS Team UK, Britanskog izazivača, gdje radi kao voditelj odjela razvoja jedara i aerodinamike. „Razvoj na kojem sad radimo je vlasništvo timova, iako imamo timove za koje radimo i dalje smo dizajneri North Sailsa, ali koji se nadmeću međusobno. Nema prijateljstava dok ne završi regata!“ Slična priča je kod Southern Sparsa i Future Fibresa gdje su godine i godine iskustva iskorištene prilikom kreiranja dizajnerskih pravila. „Krenuli smo tako što smo izradili manje snasti da testiramo „twin skin“ koncept, koji se pokazao prilično dobrim i tada smo krenuli s razvojem snasti u pravoj veličini. I taj proces će trajati nešto dulje“, rekao je Mark Hauser iz Southern Sparsa. „Imamo dosta dugu suradnju s Emirates Team New Zealand koja je stvarno bez premca, tako da je bilo prirodno da pristupimo i sudjelujemo u ovoj suradnji.“ Jednako kao dizajneri i inženjeri North Sailsa, tako su i dizajneri Southern Sparsa uključeni u timove. Jarrad Wallace je dizajn inženjer koji se priključio u program razvoja snasti za INEOS Team UK. „Snast na AC75 radi mnogo više od samog držanja jedrilja,“ kaže Wallace. „To je u stvari dio krila, tako da je sučelje iznimno važno, posebno u kontrolnom sustavu. Ključna razlika je mogućnost kontroliranja položaja vrha jedra, što je u stvari prilično revolucionarno kad su u pitanju mekana jedra i to ima ogroman utjecaj na opterećenje snasti. Naš softver koristimo za modeliranje jarbola tako da jarbol odradi svoj posao.“ „Southern Spars i North Sails su dugo vremena zajedno razvijali softverske alate i to nam je vrlo jak zajednički adut. Morali smo napraviti taj korak naprijed da bi unaprijedili način modeliranja aero paketa i mislim da trenutno nitko na svijetu to ne može napraviti na ovom nivou,“ dodao je Hauser. „Razina na kojoj obrađujemo detalje u radu s North Sailsom tijekom ovih godina je dramatično narasla,“ objasnio je Wallace. „Trenutno dijelimo zajednički model, u koji svatko može ubacivati parametre iz svog područja i softverski analiziramo interakciju tijekom modeliranja, tako da dok dođemo u fazu izrade funkcionalnog proizvoda već smo na vrlo visokoj razini finalizacije. Kad pogledate unatrag 10 – 15 godina i usporedite s ovim danas, desila se vrlo velika evolucija.“ Burns Fallow je North Sails dizajner koji se priključio Emirates Team New Zealand u ovom ciklusu. „Ovdje sam oko godinu dana i prvih šest mjeseci proveli smo projektirajući novu snast za Southern Spars, Emirates Team New Zealand i za Luna Rossu“ rekao je Fallow. „Nastojimo pružiti odgovor na pitanje što to možemo napraviti a da nije krilo, ali da ima mnogo karakteristika krila poput onih na dva posljednja America's Cupa. Jedna od ključnih stvari koje North Sails Technology Group ima u ponudi je ta što smo stvarno jedini koji mogu ponuditi simulacijski softver i vrlo brzo ga prilagoditi tako da postane alat koji služi da se naše ideje razvijaju i da vidimo kako će se ponašati u praksi.“ Za to je zadužen softver imena North Sails Membrain™, on balansira s podacim o pritisku vjetra, obliku jedra i snage u snasti s kompletnim dizajnom. Burns Fallow radio je s kolegom Michaelom Richelsenom na simulaciji o ponašanju „twin-skin“ na AC75. Foto: North Sails „Izvjestio sam Michaela o tome što želimo postići i nakon intezivnog razvoja softvera dobili smo radnu verziju Membraina koja nam je dala odgovore na velika pitanja koja su se skupila tih tjedana,“ kaže Fallow. „Od tada samo dodajemo sve više mogućnosti da možemo simulirati sve preciznije i složenije modele. Ovo je jedan od najuzbudljivijih i naprednijih projekata u koje sam uključen tijekom mojih 30 godina u North Sailsu.“ Membrain koristi podatke iz široke lepeze Northovih dizajna da simulira ponašanje u snast/jedro kombinaciji kao jedinstvenoj strukturi kad se koriste različita opterećenja. Kako se struktura deformira pod opterećenjem tako se mijenja i oblik jedra i Membrain generira podatke i vraća ih ostalim North softverskim alatima, posebno u Flow™ (koji simulira pritisak vjetra na površinu jedra i proračunava dobivenu silu), za dobivanje preciznih podataka o tlakovima. Proces revidira oblik jedra u Membrainu u kružnoj povratnoj vezi sve dok se ne postigne ravnoteža. Od kada su objavljena pravila za dizajn AC75, Michael Richonson se pridružio timu Luna Rossa Challenge, dok se Burns Fallow pridružio Emirates Team New Zealand gdje radi u Aero Design timu. Ali kaže da projekt nije jednostavno analizaranje situacija koje se dešavaju iznad palube. Svi sustavi, krenuvši od snasti, pa prema mekanom jedru u obliku krila i njegovog kontrolnog sustava, pa do foilova ispod mora moraju se dizajnirati da rade u harmoniji. „Ono što je u ovom trenutku kritično za svaki America's Cup tim je VPP (Velocity Prediction Program) i simulacijsko modeliranje. Moramo biti sigurni da su ulazni podaci u tom modelu, što je otprilike pola jednadžbe – aero strana nasuprot hidro strani – točni, realistični i da je pokriveno što je više moguće. Samo ovo obuhvaća stotine i stotine simulacija da bi se dobio realističan model. Ono što se posebno promijenilo u posljednjih 10-12 godina je to što je u prošlosti za ispitivanja trebalo imati dvije testne jedrilice u moru. A to je iznimno poskupljivalo postupak i po pitanju vremena i ljudi. Međutim kako softver postaje sve sofisticiraniji, razvoj koji vršimo u virtualnom svijetu je prihvaćen kao pravi test pa se koncept testiranja s dvije jedrilice polako gasi. Tako da je ravojni ciklus sad mnogo brži. Za sve dizajnere i inžinjere na America's Cupu posao neće završiti dok ne završe sve finalne regate. Zahtjev za brzinama bit će stalan sve dok se ne presiječe ciljna ravnina u poljednjem plovu. Super stvar u simulatoru procesa je što to nije samo alat za dizajnere, na kraju krajeva to je jedna velika prednost za tim kao cjelinu. Treba zapamtiti da je koncept AC75 star samo godinu dana i što smo na početku imali bilo je prilično šturo. Kad se ovog ljeta porine prva jedrilica dobit ćemo priliku da potvrdimo u stvarnosti ono što smo proizveli, a jednako tako ćemo dobiti i priliku da shvatimo gdje smo bili u pravu i gdje možemo unaprijediti naš simulator i da u konačnici postanemo još bolji,“ zaključio je Fallow. I kada 36. America's Cup bude gotov u 2021. dizajneri i inženjeri iz North Technology Group okupit će se i zajedno napraviti zaključni sastanak s ciljem da unaprijede alate svoje tvrtke za dizajn jedara i snasti za mnoge druge klase. „Kad ste uključeni u novi projekt dijelite iskustva i znanja koja imate, Ne sjedite samo u svom malenom mjehuru,“ kaže Fallows. „To je način da budete bolji. Tako tvrtka postaje sve jača.“ READ MORE

CORPUS CHRISTI BAY IN LATE JUNE Local Knowledge by Mark Foster For the past 50 years, Mark Foster has raced and sailed in Corpus Christi, the location of the 2019 Etchells World Championship. Here are some of his experiences with the wind, waves and current patterns that normally occur during a June afternoon. The sea breeze will be fairly consistent with small shifts. The pressure will build from the left side of the course. The normal SE sea breeze develops with the heating of the land and takes about 10 degrees of temperature differential to develop. Bay water in late June should be in the mid 80s. The sea breeze can start as far left as 90 degrees and as far right as 170 degrees, but it usually settles in around 125 to 140 and then builds to 15 to 18 knots, gusting to 20. Pull out a bay chart and locate the Nueces Bay Causeway, the long low bridge with a small hump in it that you’ll see when sailing out of the gap. Looking upwind, the wind will build faster on the left side of the course, because it can blow over the causeway rather than into the downtown buildings. So, while the general consensus is to go right, it can pay to work the left side of the course as the winds builds from 8 to 15. The wave pattern is consistent across the course. The bay averages 10 to 14 feet deep. With the SE breeze, the waves have 8 to 10 miles of fetch before they reach the race course. Big waves come in sets of three, and you are advised to try and avoid them at all cost. Going upwind, starboard tack is more into the waves and port tack is more across the waves. Set your sail trim for each tack. In general, you will find that port tack is faster than starboard. What is the best way to sail around the waves upwind? My advice is to steer “downhill” by keeping the bow pointing to the next low spot, so that the boat is going downhill as often as possible. The sea breeze will set up a wind-driven current that flows northwest towards the Harbor Bridge and returns up the bay inside Alta Vista reef. The current is consistent across the course and usually does not exceed ½ knot; it should not be a factor in the racing. The Alta Vista reef runs parallel to the shore, approximately ½ mile off the bay front, with two markers noted on the bay chart: Number 1 is a buoy on the north end and Number 3 is a piling with a day marker on the south end. The race course will be set outside the reef. Hopefully this gives you some insight to the local sailing conditions in Corpus Christi. READ MORE