BELLINO: PRECISION, PARTNERSHIP, AND PERFORMANCE OFFSHORE

A benchmark for how preparation, teamwork, and the right sail technology combine to deliver results.

At the sharp end of modern offshore racing, success is never accidental. It is built over years of experience, constant refinement, and trusted partnerships ashore and afloat. Few teams illustrate this better than Bellino, the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600, raced by Rob Craigie and Deb Fish. Consistently successful across offshore and coastal events, and dominant within the RORC Season’s Points Championship after winning overall the last three years in a row, Bellino represents a benchmark for how preparation, teamwork, and the right sail technology combine to deliver results. 

Bellino’s achievements are impressive on paper, but the real story lies behind the numbers. It is a story of two highly experienced sailors who chose the demanding path of shorthanded offshore racing, embraced the technical challenges of IRC optimization, and built a long-term partnership with North Sails focused on reliability, performance, and confidence in all conditions. 

A PARTNERSHIP FORGED THROUGH COMPETITION

The Bellino partnership began not with a plan, but with competition. “I think it was 2012,” says Deb Fish. “We raced against each other in the 2011 AZAB (Azores and Back) and decided to team up the following season. We sailed against each other again when I raced my own boat solo for a few years, then teamed up again.”  

That early rivalry helped establish a foundation of mutual respect. And that shared history has shaped how Bellino operates today. Both sailors bring a deep understanding of seamanship, decision-making, and endurance, which is essential for a two-person offshore program. 

CLEAR ROLES, SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

Onboard Bellino, roles are defined but flexible, allowing the team to adapt as conditions and fatigue levels change. “We’ve both raced solo a lot, so both of us can do most things,” says Deb. “That’s critical when you’re double-handed offshore.” 

This adaptability feeds directly into their approach to equipment. Every system and sail on board Bellino must be easy to use, forgiving, and dependable. 

For both sailors, shorthanded racing represents the purest form of the sport. For Deb, “Sailing has always been about new challenges. After sailing fully crewed for years and trying different roles, I tried my first double-handed races and got hooked.” When you’re shorthanded, every decision matters more. Navigation, sail choice, and boat handling are all magnified because there’s no spare capacity. 

Bellino’s race program reflects this mindset, combining complex coastal racing in the Solent and the English Channel with iconic offshore events such as the Rolex Fastnet Race and Round Ireland. 

DEVELOPING THE RIGHT SAIL INVENTORY 

Bellino’s partnership with North Sails began around 2015, and has evolved steadily since. Over time, the focus has shifted from individual sails to a fully integrated inventory designed around how Bellino is sailed. The team runs a deliberately simple setup: a single mainsail, two rated jibs, and a carefully selected downwind inventory optimized for IRC and short-handed use. 

The boat’s current configuration is the result of years of experimentation. “The first Bellino was asymmetric with large A-sails,” Deb recalls. “Then we went completely symmetric after racing in France, because that’s what most of the fleet was doing.” From there on, rule changes influenced later decisions. “When IRC introduced the option of switching between two certificates, we tried racing without the spinnaker pole. The rating was appealing, but we worried about being exposed on a VMG run.”  

The eventual solution was a refined asymmetric setup that balanced rating efficiency with real-world performance. Adding the right sails allowed Bellino to remain competitive across a wide range of conditions without adding unnecessary complexity. “We’re really happy with the setup now,” Rob says. “We’ve won races overall with it, which we never did before.” 

WHY NORTH SAILS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

For Bellino, the biggest advantage of working with North Sails is support. 

“What I value most is the relationship,” says Deb. “We've worked with Ronan (Grealish, from North Sails, Gosport) for many years now, supported by Dave Lenz as a designer, and he knows how we sail and what will work for us. North also has valuable insights from working with numerous Sun Fast 3600s and similar boats, helping us understand what works and what doesn’t. 

They help us understand how to set each sail so we can get the best out of it, which is incredibly important.” that understanding translates into performance.  

Bellino’s inventory is built using North Sails 3Di RAW technology. These 3D molded, composite constructed sails have held up to the rigors of offshore racing and the team’s intensive calendar. The longevity of the sail’s shape retention has helped Bellino consistently lead the fleet over multiple seasons and with 3Di’s zero Mylar construction, delamination is never an issue.  

DEFINING MOMENTS AND HIGHLIGHTS

Choosing a single career highlight is difficult, but recent success stands out. 

“We’re most proud of our 2025 season,” both agree. “Especially our result in the Rolex Fastnet Race.” Finishing second in Class 3 against a mixed fleet that included professional teams was a defining achievement. “Being Corinthian sailors, that result meant a lot to us,” Deb points out. 

Other memorable races include the Rolex Middle Sea Race (“..such a beautiful course!”), the Rolex Sydney Hobart (“...particularly the Tasmanian coastline and welcome in Hobart.”), and the Caribbean 600 (“The most enjoyable 600Nm race!”), each offering unique challenges and unforgettable experiences. 

THE APPEAL OF RORC RACING

Much of Bellino’s success has come within the RORC framework. “I’ll admit I’m biased,” smiles Deb, Commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, “but the RORC races are exceptionally well organised.” Her co-skipper highlights the variety: “You get everything from short offshore sprints to transats, plus the fun of racing in places like the Med or the Caribbean. We've had some fantastic boat on boat racing and made friends with people from around the world based on mutual respect.” 

Even after years of success, the Bellino team remains motivated. "There are still RORC races we want to do,” Rob says, pointing to the Baltic Sea Race. Deb also has her eye on adventures beyond traditional offshore racing: “The one I’d love to do is the Race to Alaska. It sounds like a fantastic adventure, a real test of sailing skill, navigating an area with massive tides without the reassurance of an engine if things went wrong. And the idea of first prize being $10,000 nailed to a tree is wacky! The Aegean 600 also looks like a great race.” 

A SHARED PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

Bellino’s story is one of continuous improvement, driven by experience, trust, and collaboration. The partnership between Rob Craigie, Deb Fish, and North Sails demonstrates how thoughtful sail design, advanced materials, and long-term support can deliver reliable performance at the highest level of offshore racing.