NORTH SAILS BLOG

North Sails is pleased to announce a new leadership structure: Thomas Normand takes on the role of Global Sales and Service Director while Marine Derrien becomes Managing Director of North Sails France. READ MORE

North Sails Apparel partners with sailor Francesca Clapcich and 11th Hour Racing, providing performance gear for her 2028 Vendée Globe campaign. READ MORE

After more than four decades with North Sails, Tom Pease is setting his course toward retirement. His journey with the company has been marked by dedication, innovation, and—most importantly—lasting relationships with colleagues and customers alike. READ MORE

Honored, humbled and still at full speed. The Sailing Hall of Fame recognizes his lifetime of achievement—but Ken’s story is still being written. READ MORE

After decades of dedicated service to the Pacific Northwest sailing community, long-time North Sails expert Jack Christiansen is passing the torch.  North Sails Seattle will transition to the capable hands of Tim Scanlon and Alyosha Strum-Palerm, marking an exciting new chapter for the loft.  READ MORE

We’ve teamed up with artist Sophie Scott on a limited-edition Rolex Fastnet Race 2025 t-shirt, capturing the spirit of this iconic offshore race. Available at the North Sails stand in the Cherbourg-en-Cotentin race village—and online soon. Discover the story behind the design in our Q&A with Sophie. READ MORE

Allen’s journey through recovery, racing, and rediscovery leads him to the 2.4mR World Championship.  READ MORE

North Sails proudly names Simone Ricci as Optimist Class Leader, bringing global coaching expertise and a deep commitment to youth sailing development. READ MORE

Anaïs, Elliot, and their dog North, also known as The Salty Cruisers, recount stories from their recent journey between Annapolis and the British Virgin Islands. READ MORE

On June 2nd, 26-year-old Jazz Turner set off to become the first disabled sailor to complete a solo, non-stop, and unassisted circumnavigation of Britain.  READ MORE

The Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Griffin Youth Project stands as a beacon for aspiring young sailors, offering a rare and structured gateway into the demanding world of offshore yacht racing. READ MORE

In a testament to a remarkable career defined by dedication and innovation, Hafzal Haniffa, Head of Logistics at North Sails Sri Lanka, has been honored with the prestigious 2025 Richmond Award.  READ MORE

Ellie Driver first competed in the Rolex Fastnet course in 2019, 18 years old and fresh from a 420 campaign – a multiday offshore race was a very different concept.  She knew she could drive a boat around a race course fast, but could she drive her Sunfast 3300 fast in one of the world’s most famous offshore races for four-plus days non-stop?     Since her first Rolex Fastnet, Ellie has chalked up an impressive victory list, including;  ⭐ Women’s EUROSAF Double-Handed Offshore European Champion (2023)  ⭐ Vice Mixed Double-Handed World Sailing Offshore World Champion (2023)   ⭐ Yachts & Yachting ‘Sailor of the Year’ (2022)   ⭐ Youngest Skipper to Compete in the SEVENSTAR Round Britain and Ireland Race (2022)   ⭐ Second Place in Défi Paprec (2024)   Ellie Driver Ellie raced the Rolex Fastnet again in 2023 double-handed with her father, an 8 times race veteran at that point.  Ellie will admit that in her first Rolex Fastnet, “she sailed the course”—soaking up all the hard-won knowledge her father had to give her.  In 2023, they were back, and this time, Ellie said she “raced the course, even with the full-on weather”, finishing 10th Double Handed Boat and Ellie the 2nd Female Skipper and the 2nd Youth Skipper overall.   The 2023 Rolex Fastnet start was brutal, with the fleet setting off from the Solent into a south-westerly gale. And conditions didn’t improve greatly, with Ellie and her father experiencing “sailing through three squalls and a shutdown—it was 4 days of misery”. But Ellie and Jim didn’t retire, and that experience informs her five top tips to teams competing in this year’s 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race: “aside from a catastrophic boat failure, boats need to retire because either the boat or the crew is not ready to tackle the conditions.   ELLIE’S FIVE TOP TIPS  Don’t delay any maintenance job on your boat; start now.  Get all the servicing done.  Work bow to stern, replacing anything that is showing signs of wear.  Do this now, and then do it again in the month prior to the race.  I’m constantly checking my boat over, ensuring nothing avoidable will fail during the race.  Plan your spares; based on your inspections over these 4 months, if one area shows deterioration quicker than expected, carry those spares.   It is just as important to build personal fitness as well as maintaining your boat.  The stronger you are, the less likely you are to injure yourself and the more energy you’ll have throughout the race.  Crucially, it means that you’ll also approach every task with 100% of your strength – making manoeuvres faster – minimizing chances of damage to the boat, lost or torn sails, and fewer personal injuries as tasks in dicey conditions are completed faster.  Get swimming, get running, get to the gym – prioritize the fitness of the whole crew in this build-up phase.   Pre-race watch planning: absolutely vital when racing double-handed but also essential with larger crews with varying capabilities.  7-days out from the race, start looking at the course, look at the weather fronts coming through, and align your watch plan to these.  Start planning when it will be calmer so the crew can rest, when it will be all hands on deck, and when you’ll need the more experienced drivers on the helm.  Keep reviewing the plan alongside the weather updates up until the race start.   My last tip: sing!  Despite the best planning, there will be moments when you’re exhausted but need to keep pushing – it’s at these moments my Dad and I sing to keep us awake and morale up.  ABBA tunes are a boat favorite!   Following Ellie’s advice to ensure crews who are entered into this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race are adequately prepared, we caught up with Steve Coles, Royal Ocean Racing Club Race Manager. Steve Coles, Royal Ocean Racing Club Race Manager. We asked him what the boats with their race places confirmed should be prioritising over the next four months, and he advised:   APRIL    Make sure that the boat details on your entry are correct; you can start to add crew to your crew locker on www.sailracehq.com. Your crew will need an account to fill in all of their details. Add your t-shirt size!  Submit your mileage proposal. At least 50% of the boat’s crew (but not less than 2), including the person in charge, must have completed 300 nautical miles of RORC offshore racing on the boat entered into the race. The qualifying miles must be completed within 12 months prior to the start of the Rolex Fastnet Race.  We will accept mileage qualification proposals from races other than RORC races, but typically, they should be at least 150 miles and include one night at sea. Races can be combined to get to the 300-mile requirement.   The RFR is a Category 2 race; you must complete your checklist on the entry portal and complete the Category 3 checklist before the system will let you complete Category 2. Boats may be inspected for OSR compliance before the race starts.   MAY  Check whether you need a plan review - A monohull with a series date after 2009 of less than 24 m (78’-9”) LH shall have been designed, built, and maintained in accordance with the requirements of ISO 12215 Category A and have a World Sailing/ISAF building plan review certificate issued from an organization recognized by World Sailing.   Order your tracker; trackers are mandatory for the RFR and all RORC races. A subsidy is available upon application to racing@rorc.org.   JUNE    If you have completed your mileage qualification, please let RORC know now  Training—the days are getting longer; use the long daylight days as perfect training days     JULY    Submit the final crew onto the race portal.  All non-UK boats will need to complete the C1331 form before arriving, which can be done online here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/submit-a-pleasure-craft-report#submit-your-report-online.  Ensure the rating is applied for; the deadline is the 4th of July.   Read through Sailing Instructions!    Order your Customised Team Gear for the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race Today  READ MORE

For North Sails Ambassador Ellie Driver and her dad Jim, sailing isn't just a sport—it's a shared passion that's been passed down from father to daughter over two decades, fueling them to take on tough challenges, achieve remarkable success, and grow together on and off the water. Read about it all in our latest blog post. READ MORE

"He’s a great competitor. He’s one of the best bowmen in the world. He's got the skills, he's got the racing focus, he's got the drive to win, to do better, to improve every day. And being a bowman and working within North Sails is kind of unique because he brings a different skillset to the feedback he provides." READ MORE

With a constant drive to innovate, sail designer Max Tringale explains how sails and performance evolve throughout an America's Cup campaign.  READ MORE

Cup veteran and business leader Tom Whidden shares his experiences working with top sailors like Dennis Conner and how his sailing career inspired his work at North Sails. READ MORE

Burns Fallow, the lead sail designer for Emirates Team New Zealand, offers an exclusive look into the world of high-performance sailmaking at the America's Cup. READ MORE

Step inside the base of America's Cup team INEOS Britannia with sail designer JB Braun, where the boundaries of sail design, and sail technology like North 3Di, are constantly pushed to their limits. READ MORE

Italian sailor Giulio Desiderato is widely recognized as one of Europe’s top one-design sailors. He’s now taking his skills and applying them to Grand Prix sailing.     READ MORE

The next generation of North Sails designers play key roles on yacht racing's grandest stage. Each of them has a North Sails mentor that they’re working with, seasoned experts younger designers coming along. READ MORE

Hailing from Port Townsend, Washington, Vilage, 28, brings the same qualities to her work in the loft at Portsmouth as she does as part of some of the finest one-design crews in North America. READ MORE

The Palma-based superyacht sail designer has gone from a junior designer to working on significant North Sails projects in just a few short years. READ MORE

Rightfully known as “the champions among us,” the North Sails One Design roster is a remarkable collection of world-class sailmakers. It was Gillard’s single-minded pursuit of excellence that caught the attention of Paul Hobson, the head of the One Design squad at North Sails. READ MORE

The North Sails family and sailing world mourn the loss of Gautier Sergent.  Gautier personified North Sails—an absolute expert who drew from his experience to relentlessly advance our competitive edge.  READ MORE

North Sails strengthens its global sales and service team with Tony Rey, one of the most highly respected sails experts. Few sailors have such a diverse career and broad enthusiasm for racing and cruising. READ MORE

Ruaridh Wright is the recipient of the inaugural Richmond Award. North Sails introduced this award in memory of our colleague Sam Richmond, who passed away after a tragic yachting accident. READ MORE

THOMAS NORMAND JOINS THE TEAM A New Operations Manager at North Sails France Thomas Normand, former director of Mer Concept (sailor François Gabart’s ocean racing team), is joining North Sails France as operations manager. He will be responsible for the operational strategy within the three French sites in Vannes, Lorient (Brittany) and Mouans Sartoux in the South of France. He will support the management team, which includes managing director Gautier Sergent, manager and sales director Philippe Touet. Thomas Normand (36 years old) will have as main missions the management of the teams, the optimization of processes and products, as well as the implementation of methods and projects. Reporting to the general management, he will act as coordinator and administrator between the different teams of the company, both nationally and internationally with the North Sails group. He will take up his position early December 2022. “We are delighted to welcome Thomas Normand to our team,” said Gautier Sergent. His skills and experience will complement and strengthen our current capabilities. We are confident in his ability to maintain a smooth and positive development of the organization. And like all of our team members, Thomas is driven by the same passion for sailing and for excellence.” “We have a great team that performs well whether it be commercially, technically or productively,” adds Philippe Touet. And Thomas will support this team with the objective of operational efficiency.” “I am proud and excited to join the North Sails France team,” says Thomas Normand. “After four great years with Mer Concept, I wanted to get away from the world of sponsorship and broaden my horizon. The North Sails proposal came at the right time. It is a company with a strong reputation and a long history in the sailing world, especially through prestigious events such as the Route du Rhum, the Vendée Globe, the America’s Cup or The Ocean Race, races that have made me dream since I was a child. North Sails is also the reference in terms of advanced technology and a research and development unit placed at the center of the organization’s strategy. My role as Director of Operations will be to understand and deal with the problems and issues of each other in order to move forward. Another aspect and not the least, Thomas is a sailing enthusiast. “Continuing to work and exchange with the sailing teams will allow me to stay in touch with this magnificent sport.” Thomas Normand holds a state sailing diploma, a master’s degree in sports management and recently a Goldman Sachs University Diploma from Essec. He began his career as a professional sailor in Mini 6. 50 and Figaro (Mini Transat 2011, 2nd in the prototype category and Solitaire du Figaro 2012, 14th and 1st Rookie) within Jean-Pierre Dick’s Absolute Dreamer team before putting his university education into practice at CapGemini engineering, a world leader in the engineering services sector, where he was head of the Energy department for four years, and then at Mer Concept as General Manager from 2018 until today. READ MORE

Get To Know Your Local Sail Experts Ben Saxton (far right) winning Round 2 of the Cape 31 Race Circuit at the RORC Vice Admirals Cup 2022. 📸RORC/Paul Wyeth/pwpictures.co North Sails are very proud to not only be one of the industry’s leading brands but also having some of the world’s best sailors working in the team. The Gosport loft prides itself in having several of these sailors working and sailing at a high level. The “Young Guns” series will introduce you all to the team over the next few months. We begin with Ben Saxton – Olympian, World Champion and North Sails Sail Expert. How long have you been sailing, and how did you get started? I’ve been sailing all my life. My grandad was a water engineer, and he built the dam at Grafham Water, which is where I learned to sail. All my family loves sailing. Since then, I progressed through the British Sailing Team and have raced 470’s and Nacra 17’s in the Olympic fleets. I have won European medals in both classes, including winning the Nacra Worlds and the Europeans twice. I have sailed many yachts and sportsboat classes from 52 ft’ers Farr 45’s Cape 31’s and many sportsboat classes. What boats/classes do you sail? Mainly the Cape 31, it is a great boat, and the fleet is epic! This year I also won the Bacardi Series in Miami in the J70. I have also been trimming main and doing tactics for the legend that is Lawrie Smith in an Etchells; we came third at the Etchells World Championships in Cowes in September. We also won the National and European Championships. I really enjoyed the Fastnet race on the CF-520 Oystercatcher last year too. I enjoy match racing, team racing, and fleet racing. I have raced most sports boats, medaling at the worlds and winning four national titles. I still jump in a dinghy occasionally but love the teamwork on bigger boats. What’s your favorite thing about sailing? I really like the racing and the comradery; I like making boats go fast and seeing people enjoying it. My time racing in the competitive Olympic class fleets has taught me how to develop, optimize, and tweak boat settings to your advantage. Another big part of success in these tightly-packed fleets is knowing how to perform well under pressure. Now that I’m becoming more involved in Grand Prix racing, I love working as part of a bigger team and being able to share victories with all the crew onboard. What’s your best sailing achievement? I won the Foiling Nacra 17 World Championships and the Europeans a few times. I also went to the 2016 Olympics in Rio. What made you want to join North Sails? They’re professional and the best. I love the sport, and North Sails is the place everyone wants to be. With 3Di, North Sails scientifically has the best product. I really enjoy racing and performing on the day, but I really enjoy developing sail packages and making boats go faster. I now have the opportunity to make the boats I race on and our customer’s race go faster. What do you like most about being part of the North Sails team? Everyone that I get to work with. I enjoy learning and sharing knowledge in order to make North Sails more and more dominant. Individually I am good at making boats go fast, so I’m very happy to be in a place where everyone else appreciates that and wants to do that too. It is a dream come true to work within the sailing industry. It is what I have the best expertise in, so it makes sense. After Olympic sailing, I did work in a Tier 1 Bank for a while, but I quickly realized that I was happier around boats. Where will we see you sailing next? Inshore and offshore. Miami in sports boats, the Cape 31 in the solent, and hopefully all over the world soon! Favorite place to sail? That’s a hard one, either Hamilton Island or Porto Cervo. I have been lucky enough to race in World Championships in both venues. They both have great wide areas of wild water to race in, but they also have difficult local tactics too. They are both great places onshore too. Best person to sail with? My twin brother, Tim. There is something special about racing with your family, and racing with your twin is even better. Tim is really good too. When I raced the Moth, I quickly worked out that I prefer building and performing as part of a team rather than experiencing all the highs and lows as an individual. What is your favorite sail? 3Di RAW 870 – subtly seeing the structure and tape layouts in the smooth sail look so smart. North Sails 3D one piece racing sails do not need any covers over them to stop the wind blowing through them because, uniquely, we split the tapes down into individual filaments. This also makes the sails stronger and lighter. These are the tape structures that you can see. READ MORE

AUSTRALIA’S JOHN BACON – FROM 5.5M SAILOR TO IRC RACER Taking on the World With North Sails World Champion yachtsman John Bacon has arranged many successful racing programs together, and his next few months of sailing is no exception. With a range of sailing projects on the go, John’s also contesting two exciting regattas in two vastly different racing yachts on two continents in the next month: the 5.5m World Championships in Hanko, Norway, and the Rolex New York Yacht Club Race Week in Rhode Island, USA on his new Dunning 44. Stepping Up in Sydney Growing up on the water, John had always sailed with his family and friends. However it wasn’t until a change of scene to Sydney’s Pittwater that gave the yachtsman a push into the racing side of the sport, and after crewing on various yachts, he realized it was about time to pull together his own team. “I enjoyed crewing, but I really liked steering – and I thought the only way I’d do any steering is to buy a boat. So, I started with a little boat and began to upgrade and work my way up through a series of different boats and ended up at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPA). I was happy doing keel boat handicap racing and had a pretty nice Sydney 39 and it was a pretty good IRC boat where we did really well in that. That’s where I started to get involved with North Sails, with getting better sails and crew with that boat. I’ve used North Sails from the get go in all my campaigns, and now, it’s never a question of using anything else.” Jumping into One Design racing with a McConaghy 38, John knew the next step was to assemble a competitive program to race against the best. “I got to know David Sampson and Cameron Miles, and although we knew each other already, we got to form a really tight-knit team together at RPA, and just loved it! We’ve had a great relationship with Norths through the MC38 program and it was never a question of using anything else. We sailed that boat for 10 years everywhere! We did every regatta, and I think we won one nationals and came second a few times.” The Challenge of 5.5m Sailing The 5.5m development class all race on the same start line, however the fleet is scored in three divisions according to their age, as Classics, Evolutions, and Moderns. The Evolution is where John saw his next pursuit as the world championships were coming to his home waters in Australia. “As my time started to free up I was doing less work, I got interested in the 5.5m. I really loved the concept of 5.5ms and was really drawn into it. The boats are all different, it’s all in a box rule. They’ve got different designers, different sail plans, as one boat may be good on a Swiss Lake, whereas another one is really good at the Baltic. They’ve all got this character of their own.” “We bought an old Evolution boat in Europe, in the 1973 to 1993 division, and we thought we’d go sail it and do the German Open Regatta, but the poor boat was a wreck, so I got a mate of mine over in Europe to completely restore it for the worlds in 2019 in Helsinki as a bit of a practice. Terry Wetton, James Mayjor and I formed this really nice team, and we ended up winning both regattas, it was just amazing.” “After the 2019 worlds, we brought the boat back to Australia, and RPA was hosting the worlds in January 2020, so instead of trying to win it at our home club we had to defend our title. And we did! From Evolution to Modern John’s decided to level up and compete in the main Modern division for the upcoming 2022 5.5 metre World Championship in Hanko, but the change in division is all the same racing for him and his team. “Everyone’s on the same start line. You’ve got boats that could be up to 70 years old on the line with new modern styles. So within the fleet, it’s actually a really interesting strategic point of view among the divisions, as the speed differential between the divisions is not that much. With 5.5ms it’s actually about the equipment.” When discussing the North Sails inventory, John’s vision for the development of his team includes tweaking and recutting the North Sails designs to suit the racing conditions he expects. “We’ve done some fantastic work with Darren Jones, our coach, working with Alby Pratt and the designers on coming up with some really nice sails. We’ve gone away a little from the One Design sails, and we’ve got a full wardrobe of 3Di sails. But we’ve looked at some light air paneled sails as well as an option, which is a work in progress that we’re going to look at in Hanko.” When asked about how quickly the class progresses, John’s passion for the project shines through. “There are a couple of new sails turning up for us, and the good thing about 5.5m is that it’s a development class. You get to push the development of the class further each time you make a change, and I really like that. It’s good and when you turn up with something a bit different and it works for you, it’s fantastic!” Where John has spent the most time developing are with his spinnakers, optimizing the inventory for the class minimum and maximum wind speeds for racing, between 4 and 25 knots, allowing him to extend the crossover of the larger spinnaker and remove the smaller spinnaker completely from the boat. “North Sails has been amazing and we’ve got a great relationship. It’s fundamental to what we’re doing with the program, so we’ve got some nice new sails meeting us when we get over there and we’re looking forward to getting out there on the water.” New Project for Race Week in Newport Racing his Dunning 44 at 2022 Rolex New York Yacht Club Race Week fits perfectly into the packed schedule John has planned for this year, but he hasn’t yet seen the boat he plans to race with his international crew of mates looking to have fun. “We had an opportunity to buy a Dunning 44 in Newport, Rhode Island, called The Edge. And I love it there. We haven’t travelled for the last couple of years, and the Rolex New York Yacht Club Race Week regatta is on in July this year, originally we didn’t think we could fit it in, but it fits perfectly as it’s the week after.” “It’s going to be a bit of a scramble, and somewhere we talked Ken Read into doing tactics for us, and Suzy Leech is navigating too. So I’m going to be surrounded by all these absolute legends. And then we look at the entry list, and it’s the who’s who of big boat racing.” “I am where I am in sailing because of the relationships I’ve got with people, and I really respect that and am really grateful for it. And I am a North Sails customer, but you get more than the sails, you get everything. The development, the help with that development, the backup, the support, and you know if we blow a spinnaker up in Norway, I guarantee you we can get it fixed.” “So we’re working with the North Sails loft in Newport for the Dunning 44. The boat’s brand new, it’s only done two regattas. The sails that are coming with the boat are okay, but we want to keep moving, so we’ve ordered another North Sails spinnaker and a medium jib, and we’re doing a recut of the main to a more specific design that Ken Read has been part of. The boat’s got lots of potential but it’s going to be another massive challenge to sail against some of the competition we’re up against, but we’ll see!” Offshore Sailing on the Horizon John also played an integral part in the launch of the first Farr X2, owning the first of the newly designed short handed yachts to Australia to help get the project underway. “The Farr X2 is going well. We recently sailed it from Sydney Harbour up to RPAYC in Pittwater. For me, I really love the projects, and I got involved with Bret Perry and the guys, and I thought this was a project that needed to start happening.” However, John isn’t planning on sailing the Farr X2 himself in the short term, as he’s given it to two young female sailors to launch their double handed offshore racing campaign. “I’d done a two handed campaign with David Sampson before, and then Alice Tarnawski came to me and said she wanted to do some two-handed female sailing, and the timing for the Farr X2 to be built worked out well. It was something that was a really cool project to do, and Alice and Clare Costanzo have teamed up and are one hundred percent into it!” “I’ve got a lot on myself so I’ve kind of said to the girls it’s their project, and they’re going to race it in the Sydney to Gold Coast race, so we’re doing everything we can to get them to Hobart. In the meantime I’m looking forward to doing a bit of offshore sailing in it for sure, but the main program is to get Alice and Clare to Southport and then get them on the start line to Hobart on Boxing Day.” READ MORE

NORTH SAILS ROSTER BOLSTERED WITH BOUWE BEKKING One of the Sport’s Most Experienced Sailors Joins North Sails 📸 Jesus Renedo / Volvo AB North Sails is proud to announce that Bouwe Bekking has joined the brand to support their Grand Prix division. Bekking is considered one of the world’s most accomplished and experienced sailors. The Dutch sailor has participated in eight around-the-world races, his first being the 1985-86 Whitbread onboard Philips Innovator and his most recent as skipper of Team Brunel during the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15. His experience has earned him the moniker “Volvo Ocean Race Legend.” Beyond endurance ocean racing, Bekking has extensive sailing experience on various boats. Bekking is a six-time World Champion in multiple classes and has claimed dozens of European and National titles. His name is also in-demand within Superyachts, where he was recently named tactician to J-Class Svea. “Bouwe is an undisputed opinion leader in our sport,” says Ken Read, North Sails President. “He is highly respected amongst his peers and a familiar face to the global sailing audience. His expertise is a huge advantage to North Sails and our clients. As a result, Bouwe is uniquely positioned to add immediate value to our business. His input will play an important role in ensuring North Sails remains the leader in our sport.” “Direct feedback from the field is critical to advancing the performance and application of our products,” explains Paul Westlake, Grand Prix Leader, and North Sails Executive Vice President. “Bouwe is actively using North Sails products across a wide range of boats and conditions. His candid and direct feedback is guaranteed to impact future product developments.” “I have worked with the North Sails team at various points and with numerous projects throughout my sailing career, explains Bekking. “Whether flying off 40-foot waves in the Southern Ocean or inshore day racing, I’ve seen the evolution of the products. Product development and innovation are of particular interest, and I’m looking forward to working closely with a team who shares my ‘let’s give it a go’ attitude.” Bekking will maintain his robust professional sailing career while supporting North Sails within Grand Prix sailing. He will work closely with his sailing peers, the North product development team, and sales leaders. The “Volvo Ocean Race Legend” himself recently sat down with Ken Read and master sailmaker Nathan Quirk for Episode 4 of Loft 57, the North Sails Podcast. Collectively, our guests’ experience includes hundreds of thousands of offshore racing miles; Bekking onboard as a sailor, and Quirk in the sail repair loft. Subscribe to the Loft 57 podcast via Spotify, Apple Podcasts or connect with the North Sails community on Facebook and Instagram. Loft 57 is a North Sails production. 📸 Jesus Renedo / Volvo AB READ MORE

LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF 13X Sydney Hobart Sailor, Nick Beaudoin Reflects On How He Became A “Great Race” Veteran The sailors and designers in the world of North Sails are some of the most inspiring people on the water, and we’re hoping to share more of their story with you. “Letter to my younger self” is a series told from our North Sails ambassadors. In each article we bring to life their advice and personal journeys centered around the question: if your “now-self” could give your “younger self” advice, what would it be? Dear Younger Nick, I’m writing to you on the eve of my 14th Sydney to Hobart. This year (in 2021) I’m sailing in the 76th Sydney to Hobart on board the boat JV62 “Whisper.” I’m going to be short and simple with my advice to you, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy advice to follow. Here we go: nothing happens overnight. Be patient. Keep at it. I know! If only it was that easy but trust me on this one; having patience and trusting that it will happen will get you further than you can imagine. How far you’re wondering? Well, what if I told you that one day you’d be racing in the Sydney to Hobart regularly. And, not just sailing “The Great Race” on your average boat either, but winning it on a 100’ Super Maxi. How does a boy from Canada, sailing on the Detroit River with his dad, get all the way to Australia and then go on to win the Sydney to Hobart? Well, I wish I could say it would be smooth sailing (no pun intended) but it won’t be an easy path, in the end though, the goal was met (and then surpassed). The journey all starts in 2006 when you move from Canada to Sydney to do “The Great Race” – your big sailing goal at the time. Later that year you’ll begin working for the world’s best sail maker, North Sails. One of the most important things that I have learned over the years, especially in offshore sailing, is that a solid work ethic and dependability will carry you through. Over the years, I’ve created a motto to live by: “do the thing you said you were going to do, when you said you were going to do it.” Whether it is in your working career or your sailing career, stay true to this motto. A bit of words from the wise, young Nick… the Sydney to Hobart is the biggest race on the sailing calendar in Australia. You talk about and prepare for it all year. If you are not looking forward, you are always reminiscing about the race. That said, the Sydney to Hobart is definitely “type 2 fun.” Meaning, it is not fun while you are doing it, but it is fun to talk about when it’s over. It’s a character builder. I do have to thank Micheal Coxon, the former Managing Director of North Sails Australia for giving me many opportunities over the years. Micheal hired me, sponsored my Visa to stay in Australia and put me on the right boats to build a career on. Without him and his support over the years, I would not have had the experiences that I have had. For that, I am grateful to have a mentor like him. Best of luck over the years, keep your head up, sail safe and don’t forget to share your love for sailing, READ MORE

LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF Peter Warrer, Team Denmark’s Skipper for the 2021 Nord Stream Race, Shares his Life Lessons 📸 Nord Stream Race / Felix Diemer The sailors and designers in the world of North Sails are some of the most inspiring people on the water, and we’re hoping to share more of their story with you. “Letter to my younger self” is a series told by our North Sails ambassadors. In each article, we bring to life their advice and personal journeys centered around the question: if your “now-self” could give your “younger self” advice, what would it be? Dear 15-year-old Peter, You are a fantastic Optimist sailor, a two-time world champion! 43 years from now, looking back on life while skippering Team Denmark in the Nord Stream Race, you will see how this early success set a high standard for all the years of sailing that lie ahead. Here are a few things you should know: Your wild-child hippie lifestyle will temporarily divert your focus from sailing. You will eventually realize that to achieve your sailing goals, you must sacrifice your non-sailing life. Understand where your weaknesses lie and focus on improving them. For example, you will discover that your natural talents include tactics, helming, and sail trim. Technical areas will prove more difficult, but in this future world, it will be very important to master those skills too. View this post on Instagram A post shared by North Sails (@north_sails) Seasickness will prevent you from venturing offshore, but this will subside as you get older. You have to be there when you get the chance, but you also have to look for the chance. A good network helps hugely with this. Listen to your mentors, even if they are family members. Let yourself be inspired by your two-time Dragon Gold Cup-winning father. And dare to imagine a future that includes an Olympic gold medal-winning son, who will actually be a mentor for you too! But the most important thing I want to tell you, my 15-year-old self: have fun with your sailing. Jump on different boats and get involved in various campaigns; don’t be single-minded or focus too much on one class. Also, try to enjoy some cruising too. Sailing is a wonderful sport, and it will help you live a happy life. I have a lot of fun sailing and racing the ClubSwan 50, M32, J/70, and cruising on the X332. Of course, you will face obstacles… but overcoming them will be a large part of your joy. PS Peter, 68 doesn’t feel as old as you might think! 📸 Nord Stream Race / Marina Semenova 📸 Nord Stream Race / Marina Semenova READ MORE

7 OFFSHORE SAILORS YOU NEED TO KNOW We’d like to introduce you to seven names we have our eye on right now Sailing is a multi-faceted sport, but nothing matches the salt-sprayed challenge of racing offshore for days on end. Sailors willing to test their own limits (mentally and physically) often compete well away from the limelight, so we’d like to introduce you to seven sailors we’re watching right now—and will continue to watch. Each of these seven came to offshore sailing for different reasons, which reminds us of the range of opportunities within this challenging and exciting sector of the sport. Keep your eye out for more on these guys and gals, both here and on their own platforms. Justine “JuJu” Mettraux 📸 Amory Ross / 11th Hour Race Team Justine, a Swiss native, hails from Lake Geneva but she’s got more offshore miles than most. Now living in Lorient, France, her backyard is one of the most prestigious bodies of water for offshore training. In 2013, JuJu finished second, overall, in the Mini Transat. After this success, she (and her sister) rounded out the all-female squad on Team SCA in the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15. More recently, she helped Dongfeng win the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 becoming one of the first women to have their name on the trophy. This summer season she’s sailing as a co-skipper with Simon Fisher on 11th Hour Racing after having finished second in The Ocean Race Europe. Next up for the Swiss sensation? You won’t be too shocked– her dream is to sail the 2024 Vendée Globe. To be honest, we’re not quite sure what impresses us more about Justine “JuJu” Mettraux– a CV that is enviable amongst the best in the sport or that she grew up in the mountains and is now out most in the sport . Who says you need to be sailing offshore before the age of five to be considered one of the most elite offshore sailors in the world right now? Francesca Clapcich and Jesse Fielding View this post on Instagram A post shared by Francesca Clapcich (@francescaclapcich) Clapcich is a one-design champion who is quickly becoming a top female offshore sailor. Born in Italy, she represented her country at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics (Laser Radial and 49erFX crew). After Rio though she began to shift her attention and focus to the big blue. In the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18, Francesca joined Dee Caffari’s Turn the Tide on Plastic team. From this moment on she hasn’t looked back. Francesca’s co-skipper is Jesse Fielding, an already established American offshore sailor. Jesse has been involved with some of the more well known offshore programs out there, including the Roy Disney (senior) project: Morning Light. After the Morning Light program, Jesse went back to school to graduate from the University of Rhode Island. He did a stint in finance in New York City but the sea continued to call his name; after a couple of months, Fielding hung up his suit and tie and put all his focus into his real dream: sailing around the world. In 2020, when Francesca joined forces Jesse, they set their sights on becoming a strong American doublehanded team (Francesca emigrated to the United States in early 2020). This Italian/American duo have their own Beneteau Figaro 3s for this season’s solo races and then team up for the doublehanded events. Together, the two have gotten some pretty solid miles under their belts in the US and will soon start the infamous Solitaire du Figaro. Conrad Colman 📸 Aiste Ridikaite/ Ambersail-2 Colman holds dual citizenship (NZL and USA), but he has lived in France for more than ten years as an important member of the offshore racing fraternity. As you can imagine, he’s not your average offshore sailor. Like the others, Colman has a bit of a unique backstory which includes a mountain biking business, a single backpack filled with his worldly possessions and a dream to sail solo around the world (ideally without fossil fuels). And so, in 2007, his offshore sailing career began. It was a bit wild to say the least, taking many opportunities that would leave any seasoned professional with their jaw resting comfortably on the ground. “Business consultants would call these years extreme team building but I’d lay awake at night, despite crushing fatigue, hoping it wouldn’t end in disaster,” Colman once said. But, the risks of his youth (like saying yes to the Barcelona World Race five weeks before the start) led to some incredible adventures and (eventually) the realization of his dream. His three circumnavigations include winning the Class 40 doublehanded Global Ocean Race; completing the IMOCA doublehanded Barcelona World Race; and finishing the 2017 Vendée Globe sans fossil fuels. Probably one of the best words to summarize Colman is “resilient.” On the eve of his Vendee Globe finish, he dismasted—but instead of dropping out and starting his engine, he set up a jury rig, dug into his liferaft’s ration bag for sustenance, and pushed on. Colman sailed the remainder of the race under the jury rig and finished 16th overall. He is the first Kiwi to compete in (and now complete) the Vendée. Most recently, Conrad competed in The Ocean Race Europe as navigator for Ambersail. Clarisse Crémer View this post on Instagram A post shared by Clarisse Crémer (@clarissesurlatlantique) Crémer is a young french star who had the great opportunity and responsibility of being the Banque Populaire skipper for the 2020-21 Vendee Globe Race. She was a formidable race rookie who set a new solo female around the world record when she finished the race in 87 days 02 hours and 24 minutes. Her smart and sensible approach paid off, besting Ellen MacArthur’s 21-year monohull solo non-stop record for a female skipper of 94 days 4 hours which placed Ellen in second during the 2000-2001 Vendée Globe. Born in Paris, Clarisse now lives in Brittany, where she first caught the sailing bug. If you had asked her ten years ago, even Clarisse might not have imagined her record-breaking finish. That’s because in 2013, she tacked away from a path in the business world, “quit her day job” (as they say), and headed to Brittany for her next adventure as an offshore sailor. While the Vendée Globe put her on a world stage, Crémer has been building an impressive collection of podium finishes. She finished second in the 2017 Mini Transat, a race that opened her eyes to the incredible freedom of solo sailing. From there, she went on to participate in the circuit familiar to many young French sailors; Offshore French Youth Championships, Rolex Fastnet, Défi Azimut, and the Transat Jacques Vabre. She recently helped LinkedOut finish third overall in The Ocean Race Europe and win both inshore races. Yann Riou Riou is no stranger to our world. He is one of the industry’s most well-respected Onboard Reporters on the water these days. The age old saying goes “if it’s not on camera, did it even happen?” Well, Riou makes sure to prove “it” happened. As a result, the Frenchman has sailed around the world more than most, being a part of two winning Volvo Ocean Races and two World Record attempts. Riou is not fixed on around the world sailing though, also been onboard for several offshore record-breaking runs like Comanche’s dash across the Atlantic in 2016, an experience later showcased on CNN’s “Great Big Story.” But, Yann is not just hired by these elite offshore sailing teams because he brings the world of offshore sailing to your laps, the man can also sail– and sail well. Yann can sail so well that he’s continuously included in around the world speed records. When racing for records offshore, a team can’t sacrifice weight so they need everyone to multi-task. Although he was limited to content creation during the Volvo Ocean Race, skippers feel confident with Yann’s onboard capabilities– the last thing a skipper wants when sailing offshore is a cameraman who doesn’t know port from starboard. Fortunately, Riou knows his stuff. Jean Le Cam 📸 Vendée Globe Le Cam is affectionately known as Le Rio Jean (King Jean), a nickname he earned due to ruling the leaderboard during his Figaro days. Le Cam is a fan favorite known for his navigational prowess, colorful personality, and passion for sharing the experience with both sailors and the general public alike. A fierce competitor, Le Cam holds stories that are the stuff of ocean racing legends. Four decades ago, he was onboard with Éric Tabarly, France’s best-known yachtsman, during the 1981 Whitbread Round the World Race. King Jean has completed the Vendée Globe five times and finished second to Vincent Riou in 2005. In addition, he won the Barcelona World Race in 2015, and finished fourth in the 2020-21 Vendée Globe. And while his CV is indisputably impressive, it’s the stories from the 2008 and 2020 Vendée Globe that will see this 61-year old around-the-world sailor into the history books. In 2008, 58 days into the Vendée Globe, Le Cam’s Open 60 lost its keel bulb and capsized 200 miles from Cape Horn. Vincent Riou sailed his PRB back upwind to rescue Jean from a capsized boat. The dangerous and challenging rescue mission took Riou four attempts before safely recovering his fellow competitor. In 2021, King Jean returned the favor when he rescued PRB-sponsored Kevin Escoffier after Kevin’s boat folded in half amongst strong winds and big seas 840 nautical miles SW of Cape Town. In a post-recovery interview, Escoffier was quick to mention his confidence in Le Cam; “as soon as I had seen Jean, I was sure I would be saved.” All together now: Yes We Cam! READ MORE

You’re familiar with the phrase if you know, you know, right? For over three decades, North design expertise and sails have been onboard with every team to capture the Auld Mug. When the Defenders and Challengers built their winning teams, they knew who to call: North Sails. READ MORE

As one of North Sails cutting edge designers, Gautier Sergent worked with INEOS TEAM UK in the 36th America’s Cup. As someone who strives constantly to push the limits and refine new design, Sergent is never satisfied with average. “In the sailing sense, the America’s Cup is the Holy Grail of the technology and the performance,”. READ MORE

Joining North Sails in 1988, Burns Fallow is the lead sail designer for Emirates Team New Zealand and has been at the forefront of sail design for the Kiwi team ever since. He’s seen it all from hoisting sails mid-race in the IACC boats to hard wing sails on 72’ cats; for the 36th America’s Cup, Fallow was one of the central figures in bringing to life the twin skin mainsail concept. READ MORE

Gautier Sergent is a behind the scenes force within the North Sails family and the name attached to many of our sport’s most influential projects. He is our Head of R&D and is often a skipper’s first call for bouncing (what seems like insurmountable) ideas around until they together find a way for them to become a reality. READ MORE

FORCE OF NATURE: JOSIE GLIDDON Josie Gliddon Works for North Sails as an Accountant by Day, But On the Weekends, She’s a Powerhouse Paving the Way in the Moth Class. On the starting line with some of the top sailors in the world, Josie Gliddon is making a name for herself in the Moth class, and encouraging other women to join her on the racecourse. During the week, you can find Josie at the Gosport, UK loft in the accounting department. We caught up with Josie at Moth UK Nationals to talk to her about her career at North Sails, trialing new Moth sails and her time on the water. Watch the video to learn. READ MORE

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

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

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

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

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

Representatives from North Sails New Zealand were in the crowd watching the race boat, christened Te Aihe or 'Dolphin', hit the water on a rainy Friday morning at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour. "It was an amazing thing to witness," North Sails New Zealand sales and marketing manager Andrew Wills says. READ MORE

SENIOR SAIL DESIGNER GLENN COOK JOINS NORTH SAILS The World’s Leading Sailmaker Continues To Attract The Brightest Stars In The Superyacht Industry Senior Sail Designer and Superyacht Sail Design Expert Glenn Cook will join North Sails from October 2019. After 16 years with Doyle Sails North America as Head Designer, Glenn will play a key role as part of North’s global Superyacht team. He has an impressive track record of leading the design work for some of the most notable Superyachts to hit the water in the last 15 years. Standout projects include the iconic 147 metre Sailing Yacht A, as well as the eye catching 106 metre Black Pearl and 88 metre Maltese Falcon. For Sailing Yacht A in particular, Glenn developed sailing systems over the course of four years in partnership with Dykstra Naval Architects, Magma Structure, Future Fibres, Cachini and Bamar. As Head Designer at Doyle, Glenn was responsible for the design and engineering of sails for a range of boats, from dinghies to Superyachts. As a Senior Sail Designer at North, he will be focused primarily on the Superyacht market from the outset. Glenn will be charged with bringing his unique experience and skill set to the preliminary design and engineering stages for new Superyacht builds and refits, and importantly acting as a link to the product team to ensure the right sails are manufactured and delivered for each owner. Commenting on the new hire, North’s Director of Design and Engineering JB Braun concluded, “Glenn joining the North Sails team is another important step in ensuring we have the very best people working on our global Superyacht team. North is known for its groundbreaking 3Di technology and world beating products, but we know that success only comes from the people working within the company. All our product innovations and breakthroughs come from the dedication, hard work and skills of our team. And complete customer satisfaction is our goal. I have no doubt Glenn, with his unprecedented experience and talents, will be a key part of our ongoing commitment to our clients and everyone will benefit.” The move continues the trend of world class talent in the Superyacht sector joining forces at North, with Commercial Manager, Andrew Schneider also joining from Doyle in 2019. Combine this talent with a number of young rising stars in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific joining the Superyacht group, the outlook for clients seeking design, product and service support around the world has never looked stronger. Glenn also has years of experience in software development, so will play a critical role in the further development and optimization of the North Sails Design Suite, with a particular focus on the Flow™ and MemBrain™ programs. The suite of in-house design software is key to analyzing and developing 3Di sail structures to create optimal custom layouts. Glenn’s career as a Head Designer will therefore add value across the entire design and product development process. Glenn Cook added, “As a long time competitor to North I have followed their product developments and technology very closely. Ultimately I wanted access to these tools and products to better fulfill increasingly complex and demanding superyacht projects. Many of the best minds in sailmaking and sail design reside at North. I am honored to join this team and looking forward to working with such a talented and motivated group of people.” Glenn will be based in Marblehead, MA and will work closely with international clients, project managers and industry partners to deliver custom sail solutions for many of the world’s most unique sailing vessels.   READ MORE

El 46º Trofeo de Vela Caixabank Conde de Godó finalizó con excelentes resultados para North Sails. READ MORE

REMEMBERING LOWELL NORTH The Founder of North Sails Shaped Our Business and The Industry Lowell North, the founder of North Sails, has passed away. Nicknamed “The Pope” by his peers, Lowell began his sailmaking career at the age of 14 when his father purchased a Star with cotton sails. The father and son team came in last in every race, motivating the young Lowell to recut the mainsail. The rest, as they say, is history. “He pioneered new ways to make and shape sails. His clear purpose, creativity, and competitive spirit continue to drive North Sails today” As an aeronautic/aerospace engineer, Lowell knew he could build a better sail through rigorous testing and incremental improvement. His methodical and scientific approach to sailmaking changed the industry forever, and it also helped him win five Star World Championship titles and a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics. The foundation laid by Lowell in 1957 has permanently shaped the North Sails culture. “Lowell’s philosophy when building North Sails was simple,” explains North Technology Group CEO Tom Whidden. “Get the best people, who he called Tigers, and commit yourself to the science and technology of making the best product. He pioneered new ways to make and shape sails. His clear purpose, creativity, and competitive spirit continue to drive North Sails today—even as the company explores territories he never could have imagined.” Lowell sold North Sails in 1984 and retired from sailmaking. He continued to sail, racing his boat Sleeper for many years, as well as cruising the Pacific. He passed away in San Diego at the age of 89, with his wife Bea by his side. He will be greatly missed. READ MORE

ROB GREENHALGH: MOTH CLASS LEADER Leading Expert With Grand Prix Versatility 📸 Nic Douglass / SailorGirlHQ From Moths to Maxis to Multihulls, this pro sailor can make any sailboat go a little faster. While Rob Greenhalgh didn’t officially join North Sails until 2018, he says the company was the first sailmaker he ever heard of. “I’ve always seen North as the biggest brand in the sport,” he says, adding, “and without a doubt, the best product in the sport. I wanted to associate myself with the best brand,” so he’s now based out of the Sydney, AUS loft. A UK native, Rob learned to sail at age seven from his parents, who were “always into it.” The family lived in Sri Lanka for a few years, and after the Greenhalghs moved back to the UK, Rob stepped onto a 49er for the first time—just as the class joined the Olympic roster. “It was kind of a lucky year, a sort of revolution with asymmetric boats,” he explains. “49ers, then 18-foot skiffs, International 14s.” A lot of his success, he claims, stemmed from “being there in the right place at the right time.” “Finding time to fit it all in is hard, but I’ve always been a dinghy sailor at heart. I love going back to the grassroots of some simple tactical racing, focusing on boathandling and tacking on small wind shifts and starting well.” His big break into Grand Prix sailing came when he was invited to join the ABN AMRO team for the 2004-2005 Volvo Ocean Race. “I think we’d just won the 18-foot Skiff Worlds or something like that,” he remembers. “And I was doing a lot of other sailing. That set the scene for the next five Volvo races, and whatever else has happened in between.” Rob’s impressively varied CV includes a string of podium finishes in various skiffs, as well as one victory and two second place finishes in the Volvo Ocean Race. Halfway through the 2011-12 VOR, he took up Moth sailing to avoid “a mental breakdown,” and he’s since racked up national and European titles in that class while maintaining a hectic racing schedule on the offshore and multihull circuits. “Obviously finding time to fit it all in is hard,” he says. “But I’ve always been a dinghy sailor at heart. I love going back to the grassroots of some simple tactical racing, focusing on boathandling and tacking on small wind shifts and starting well.” The Moth keeps him current, Rob claims. “There’s so much going on; you’ve got the foiling, which is obviously the big fad at the moment. And the rig technology is pretty important. It’s a very good test platform for ideas and learning about the sport.” It also keeps him close to his roots. “I’m very conscious about not losing touch with being a dinghy sailor, and actually enjoying the sport, rather than just being the mercenary professional.” A typical week finds Rob out on Sydney Harbour almost every day, in a wide variety of boats. “This last weekend it was a three day regatta on a TP52. Then Monday I did a Moth training session with the squad here. Tuesday we do a little evening racing on the Cup boats, which are Elliot 7s. Wednesday I went sailing with a grand prix client. Today I’ll go Moth sailing again, and tomorrow there’ll be sailing of some description. Then Saturday is another event in the morning, followed by Moth sailing in the afternoon.” May, he says, is “the only quiet-ish month,” because he spends much of Sydney’s off-season competing in the northern hemisphere. This year he’ll take part in the Transatlantic Race and Fastnet—another event where he’s posted a few records in both monohulls and multihulls. Rob does make time for his favorite hobby. “If I’ve got the day off,” he says, “I’ll definitely go fishing.” But most days, he’s trying to fit in a little Moth training between his many other obligations. “It’s all sorts of sailing, with either North Sails clients or as a professional—here, there, and everywhere.” 📸 Martina Orsini READ MORE

FLAVIA TOMISELLI: SAIL DESIGN Key Roles Played By Women Within The Leading Sailmaking Brand © Nico Martinez Flavia Tomiselli is looking to make a big splash this coming season in the design world. Not only is she in the business of grand prix, she’s looking to break into the superyacht segment at our largest manufacturing facility in the world, as an up-and-coming sail designer. As a teenager in Italy, Flavia got a taste of racing through a local summer camp. At the University in La Spezia, she studied ocean engineering surrounded by sailors. At 50 kilograms, her size makes her perfect for small one designs (420s, 29ers) and keelboats (Melges 24s, Este 24s, Melges 32s). Her weight helped earn her some pro racing opportunities early on, and now she combines a design-trained eye with sailing talent. This year, Flavia will join Alegre for the TP52 Super Series. “I love racing. I learn more every time I get to sail. There is always a discussion about what could be better. It’s good for me to see what we do and how things work, both on and off the water. I try to be involved as much as possible in the performance debriefs, which helps me apply it to my every day at work.” © Nico Martinez When North Sails expanded in Palma, Flavia was a superyacht project manager. After the expansion, Flavia joined the design team. For 2019, she’s excited to gain more experience with superyachts and grateful for the chance to be a part of such an excellent team. Flavia works closely with Heine Sørensen, a Dane who’s designed North Sails for 18 years. “Heine comes to Palma once a month, and we are always making sure we are on top of the current projects. He has taught me a little bit of everything about sail design. I enjoy learning from him because he is calm and precise, and a great teacher. It’s nice to learn from someone who is so articulate because everything makes sense and has order. He’s got a ton of experience, working on superyachts for many years. He is my mentor; we’re having fun.” “Flavia is very dedicated and easy to work with,” Heine says. “She is eager to learn and working with Future Fibres and Southern Spars has given her a wide range of technical knowledge within our industry. She is a keen sailor in the RC44 and TP52 too. She doesn’t say no to a good Italian lunch either, which we all are benefitting from!” -Heine Sorensen “I’ve always looked for a job that could allow me to keep sailing and that wasn’t going to work with engineering,” Flavia responds. “I like my job with North Sails because it allows me to do what I love, but still all ties together. One day we are fitting new sails, then measuring the boat, then we go out and see how the sails look. “Designing sails isn’t just what you see on a computer screen. You see how the whole boat revolves around sail power which for me is the big picture. The two come hand in hand.” This season, Flavia will be sailing on team Alegre with mainsail trimmer and North Expert Noel Drennan, and lead Sail Designer Kevin George. “I learn from what I see on the boat,” she explains. “Being on the water helps me relate to North Design Suite back at the office. Applying all the little things discussed on the boat gives me a much better understanding of how to be better designing sails. © Nico Martinez “Winning is always a great feeling,” she continues, “whether it’s a little regatta or world championship. When each team member is doing their job and doing it well, it helps create a positive atmosphere. In this level of sailing, a big part of our job is making sure the owner is happy, and that’s also the feeling of winning. Last year we placed third at the 52 Worlds and it was a great achievement.” When asked about being one of only a few women in sail design, she replied; “I’ve never had any doubt that I could do the same work that a man could do, whether sailing competitively or designing sails. I knew that it was what I wanted to do and I managed to make it happen. I still work hard every day to get better.” As a female sailor, Flavia has had unique sailing opportunities that have helped further her career. “To excel you have to be confident,” she says. “For girls, it may be hard because we are not always the strongest physically, which could exclude women from many jobs onboard; that doesn’t mean there are not jobs that a woman would be perfect for.” © Nico Martinez When Flavia isn’t learning about sail design or on the water racing, she focuses on building and maintaining the strength she first found as a gymnast. This year she’s added running to her workouts, including training for a marathon later this year. She also loves hiking, cycling, and rollerblading. “That’s one of the reasons why I moved here ,” she says. “During the winter it’s quiet and I can focus on various things to keep me in shape. Palma has excellent terrain for outdoor activity, so I easily keep myself busy year-round.” Flavia starts training for the TP52 Super Series season later this month and is excited to get back on the water. “We worked hard last season and got better each time. I hope that we’ll be able to start from where we left off at the Worlds. This year I’ll be more prepared from a design standpoint, and can learn more about what I am looking at onboard.” Flavia knows she’s in the right place. “The good thing about North is that you are surrounded by so much knowledge. Their technology is very advanced. There are many people within the company that specialize in all sorts of things. From small boats to superyachts, there is an expert that knows it well. Having advanced knowledge of sailing is what makes me proud to work for a company like North Sails.” Her advice to girls trying to break in? “Don’t ever give up,” she says. “Do what you like and keep doing it, stick to the plan, keep learning, and you’ll get where you want.” © Nico Marinez READ MORE