NORTH SAILS BLOG

Zero-Mylar construction, spread filaments vs. fibers, thermoset what? The North Sails answers to questions commonly asked about 3Di sail technology. Learn why 3Di is unlike any other. READ MORE

This episode recorded from the 37th America’s Cup, is a must listen for young sailors, parents and all of us who are supporting the next generation of talent within our sport.  READ MORE

The J Class Barcelona regatta, a significant event in the rich heritage of the America's Cup, unfolded this past week with three majestic yachts competing. 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

Rob Greenhalgh knows difficult. And we’re not talking about his hard laps around the planet, his skiff class world titles or all the grand-prix programs.  READ MORE

Legendary voices and broadcasters Gary Jobson, Peter Montgomery, and Jed Drake join Ken Read reflect on the evolution of Cup over the years.  READ MORE

Nathan Outteridge, Bruno Dubois and Tom Whidden, this episode is packed with first-hand experience on all aspects of what it takes in a team’s quest to win the Cup.  READ MORE

America’s Cup Hall of Famers Grant Simmer and Simon Daubney stop by Loft 57 to reflect on the America’s Cup and their experience within yachting’s most prestigious regatta. 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

North Sails Service Expert, Ben Fletcher shares his top tips on how to protect and care for your sails in the off-season. 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

The off-season is the ideal time to give your sails the TLC they deserve. Keeping your sails on an annual maintenance schedule will aid in extending the lifespan of your sails and maintaining peak performance. READ MORE

AEROTECH is a new line of woven downwind sailcloth developed for and exclusively sold by North Sails. It reflects our latest thinking in downwind woven fabrics for spinnakers. READ MORE

Tarifa sits on the most southerly point of the Spanish mainland, where the Med meets the Atlantic, Europe almost meets Africa, and the wind blows for over 300 days of the year. Not only is it the ultimate European destination for watersports it’s also where North pro foiler Fabian Muhmenthaler was born. We joined him for a weekend exploring Tarifa’s top foiling spots and hangouts, and discovering why he’s so proud to call this town home. READ MORE

North Sails introduces Aerotech, a groundbreaking advancement in sailcloth, leveraging cutting-edge innovations from ultralight gliders, sport parachutes, and wind-driven sports like foiling kites and wings.  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 North Sails seasonal sail care package will be available at select Safe Harbor locations starting today. This package includes a 10-point sail inspection, annual maintenance upgrades, and six months of storage in a North Sails Loft. READ MORE

The decisions, details, design work, and training create a unique DNA for each program. The die has been cast, and in many ways, the America's Cup is over before the trials commence. READ MORE

Download the North Sails Fireball Tuning Guide. 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

North Sails are built for performance and longevity. But even the longest-lasting sail will reach the end of its intended use at some point.  READ MORE

North Technology Group continues to expand its family of best-in-class marine brands by adding two of the world’s most respected sailmakers, Doyle Sails and Quantum Sails. READ MORE

Learn how to reduce pollution with scientifically backed steps and guides from Sailors for the Sea.  READ MORE

Double Silver medallist Ian Walker gives us his perspective on the pressures when competing on the world stage and what to look out for in Marseille during the Paris Games. READ MORE

Medalist, coach and now North Sails expert Ian Walker shares his insights on preparing to compete on the world stage. READ MORE

North Sails is the official class sailmaker for 49er and 49erFX classes. After three years of collaborative sail development 3Di will make its Olympic debut at the Paris Games this summer. READ MORE

From July to November, the North Sails store within Time Out Market Barcelona promises to be a must-visit destination for sailing enthusiasts and ocean lovers.   READ MORE

Når sejlsæsonen er slut, er det det perfekte tidspunkt at få gennemgået dine sejl. Et professionelt vintereftersyn forlænger sejlenes levetid og sikrer, at eventuelle skader opdages og udbedres, inden næste sæson begynder. READ MORE

North Sails is the long-time Performance Partner to the Bermuda Race. In this edition, North-powered boats took command of the leaderboard and claimed the coveted St. David’s Lighthouse trophy. READ MORE

We have teamed up with two brands on a sustainability initiative to divert old sails from the landfill. Trade in your old sails and save on new ones during the month of July. 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

As sailors, we have seen first-hand the diversity and abundance that lives in the ocean. We have sailed alongside dolphins and turtles and had our own share of surprise encounters with orcas and sharks alike. READ MORE

In May 2023, during Leg 5 of The Ocean Race, one of the racing teams alerted race control and the racing fleet that they had hit something in the water. READ MORE

Sarissa, Zemi & Raven were recognized at the awards ceremony hosted by Boat International. All three boats benefited from the joint expertise of the North Technology Group throughout the design, build and testing phases. READ MORE

When venturing offshore, there are numerous considerations to ensure a safe and successful journey to the finish line. READ MORE

Join Fabian Muhmenthaler, North Ambassador, athlete and pro-foiler, on his latest adventure. 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

North 3Di is a sailmaking revolution because it produces sails that are both high-performance and reliable. With 3Di technology, the best performance no longer comes at the expense of longevity. READ MORE

Pollution in Europe’s largest ports is making people sick. The solution? Electrification, regulation, more wind — and collaboration. READ MORE

You've likely heard North 3Di sails are the best, the fastest, the most durable, and the must-have sail technology. But what makes 3Di sails so unique? Join us as we uncover the reasons. 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

Nigel Musto, North Sails Performance Clothing Director, gives us his top tips on maximizing the life of Foul Weather gear. READ MORE

North Kiteboarding is teaming up with a leading paragliding designer to join the race for Olympic gold in the Formula Kite Class. In partnership with Hannes Papesh, North will submit its first RAM-Air kite design for registration next month with the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Quadrennium. “Hannes approached us with this unique opportunity to leverage our combined decades of data-driven experience and venture into the Olympic arena together. We’re confident, and we have the right cards,” says North Brand Director Mike Raper. “Our North Formula kite design is super light, extremely stable, and has a slightly different bridling system, refined to deliver speed and performance to the far edge of fast. We’re proud to celebrate our sailing heritage and join the other North Sails classes dominating the worldwide racing podiums.” Hannes Papesh started flying paragliders in 1986. Coming from sailing, he immediately tried to change the trim of his lent paraglider. “I designed my own computer program, got material and webbing, and made my first wing,” says Hannes. From that first paraglider design in 1988, he used self-programmed software to calculate the sail cut and 3D geometries and later did a lot of simulations (CFD, FSI). Today, this software workflow is used by other brands to develop leading products. “Challenges are our strength, backed up by modern digital solutions,” says Hannes, for whom the Formula Kite special project has been a dream for some time. “This venture with North ensures we can set extraordinary new standards in the Formula Kite world.” Formula Kite, a high-performance hydrofoiling class using regulated series production equipment, has been selected by World Sailing for the kiteboarding event of the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Capable of speeds up to 40 knots, foiling kiteboarders have become the fastest athletes in the history of Olympic sailing. Formula Kite is also a class in Regional Games (like the Panamerican and Asian Games), the World and Continental Beach Games, the World Sailing World Championships, the World Sailing Youth World Championships, and the Youth Olympic Games. Since 2012, only registered production equipment is eligible for any Formula Kite course racing events. Manufacturers must submit equipment license applications for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics before March 15, 2024. Formula Kite racing has a ‘Box rule’ where riders can choose from registered equipment. In the class, each athlete can register four different kite sizes. You’re allowed to take out any of the four, and you can come in to change sizes depending on the wind strength. The kites are more like paragliders than your classic inflated “tube” kites. Known as RAM-Air kites, the air fills the pockets when you take them out - you don’t need to pump them up. Four lines attach the kites to the bar, and the bar connects to you on a harness. North will register the new Formula kite (aptly named the “North Formula”) in sizes 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15,17, 19, and 21m, adding the familiar NS logo to the arena in the fastest Olympic class. North Kiteboarding is part of North Sails Group, a pioneering force in sailmaking. North Sails boasts an impressive legacy marked by groundbreaking innovations that have revolutionized sailing. Recognized as the preferred sailmaker for prestigious events like the America's Cup and amongst Grand Prix, Ocean Racing, Olympics, and Superyachts, North Sails offers a comprehensive range of sails underpinned by an unwavering commitment to all sailors. Further solidifying its position as the world's leading sailmaker, North Sails proudly holds an unmatched track record of one design National, World, and Olympic Class victories, surpassing all competitors combined. North Sails has been chosen as the official supplier of sails for the 49er and 49erFX classes. North 3Di will be making its Olympic debut in Paris 2024 as the official one design sails to these classes. 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

North Sails proudly announces the opening of a new loft in Victoria, British Columbia. Spearheaded by local experts Stuart and Joy Dahlgren, and supported by their expert team of sailmakers, they seamlessly integrate into North Sails Canadian operations. READ MORE

To sail like a girl is about finding your voice amidst the roar of the ocean and standing tall in the face of adversity. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a novice adventurer, it's about pushing boundaries and knowing the horizon is not a limit but a new beginning. READ MORE

Powered by North Sails, Gitana Team Skipper, Charles Caudrelier, crossed the finish line off the coast of Brest, France, on February 27th, to win the ARKEA Ultim Challenge. The ARKEA Ultim Challenge is the first-ever solo multihull race around the world and was sailed in 32m Ultim Trimarans – true Giants of the Sea. READ MORE

Available for cruising boats up to 45 ft, NPL RENEW is the start of a new and important shift for sailmaking towards a more sustainable sail that does not sacrifice performance or longevity. Learn more about NPL RENEW with our FAQs from NPL RENEW Product Director Tom Davis. READ MORE