Repasamos cómo ha sido 2017 y lo que nos espera en 2018. El pasado año, North Sails reforzó su catálogo de velas para crucero con la revolucionaria 3Di Nordac, que no deja de recibir reconocimiento internacional. A nivel deportivo, despidió un año excepcional con un nuevo récord estratosférico logrado con velas 3Di, el firmado por François Gabart al completar la circunnavegación del planeta en 42 días, 16 horas, 40 minutos y 35 segundos.
Para conseguir semejante hito de la navegación, Gabart completó la vuelta al mundo a un impresionante promedio de 27 nudos de velocidad. Su trimarán de 100 pies de eslora Macif voló con velas 3Di en una nueva demostración de rendimiento y de la tecnología exclusiva North Sails. Y de durabilidad: la mayor del Macif ya había navegado 47.000 millas antes de empezar la circunnavegación que supuso el récord, y que mejoró en casi una semana la establecida apenas un año antes por el SODEBO 4 de Thomas Coville, también con velas 3Di.
Las velas North Sails 3Di han batido nada menos que 24 récords mundiales desde 2014. El de Gabart se une a dos establecidos a principios de año: el IDEC de Francis Joyon lograba el trofeo Jules Verne por la circunnavegación absoluta más rápida de la historia (40 días, 23 horas, 30 minutos y 30 segundos) y Armel Le Cléac establecía el récord de vuelta al mundo en solitario para un monocasco durante la Vendée Globe, (74 días, 3 horas, 36 minutos y 46 segundos). Otras marcas de 2017 para recordar son las dos establecidas durante la Transpac Race: el Mighty Merlone de HL Enloe batió el récord de multicascos (intocable durante 20 años), y el Comanche de Jim Clark el de monocascos. Ambos optaron por velas 3Di RAW.
A nivel comercial, North Sails reforzó en junio su catálogo de velas para crucero con la 3Di Nordac, un producto que por primera vez combina la tecnología 3Di y el poliéster, y que está recibiendo unánime reconocimiento internacional. También en nuestro país, como explica Luís Martínez Doreste, director comercial de North Sails España:
“Cerramos el año con una excelente aceptación de la nueva 3Di Nordac, que hemos vendido con éxito especialmente en las áreas de Canarias, Andalucía, Levante y Cataluña. Es un gran producto y nuestros clientes están muy satisfechos”. La nueva vela para crucero colaboró en la consecución de unos buenos resultados de ventas en la campaña 2017: “El balance de 2017 para North Sails en España ha sido muy bueno, hemos cumplido nuestros objetivos comerciales y logrado grandes éxitos deportivos, especialmente en One Design. De cara a 2018 esperamos la llegada de interesantes novedades que completarán nuestra oferta actual, y estamos convencidos de que recibirán una magnífica aceptación por parte de nuestros clientes”.
From sailmaking to performance apparel: an evolving partnership geared up for future challenges.
North Sails and the Yacht Club Italiano are proud to announce the formal expansion of their long-standing relationship into a comprehensive long-term partnership. This agreement officially designates North Sails as the Official Technical Partner for both sailmaking and performance apparel, marking a new chapter in a collaboration built on decades of mutual respect and shared maritime values.
The partnership, which extends through 2030, is not a beginning, but rather an evolution of the existing bond between the two organizations. By formalizing this alliance, North Sails and Yacht Club Italiano aim to align their goals ahead of the Club’s historic 150th Anniversary, creating a robust technical ecosystem that serves the Club’s members, elite athletes, and international racing calendar.
Alessio Razeto, North Sails Sales Director, emphasized the organic nature of this development: "Our relationship with the Yacht Club Italiano goes beyond a simple collaboration; it is built on years of friendship, mutual trust, and a shared commitment to promoting sailing among young sailors. Today, this partnership is further strengthened with the addition of North Sails Apparel, expanding opportunities forcollaboration and mutual growth. We look ahead with great enthusiasm to the upcoming season, which promises a calendar of high-profile events that will best showcase and enhance this shared journey."
This consolidated partnership reinforces North Sails' position at the heart of the Italian racing scene. By expanding its role to include technical apparel alongside its world-leading sail technology, North Sails will provide comprehensive support as the technical partner to the Yacht Club Italiano, organizer of iconic regattas such as the Loro Piana Giraglia, Genova Sailing Week, Bombola d’Oro, and Millevele IREN.
“North Sails has been a valued partner of Yacht Club Italiano for many years through its sailmaking division, supporting our sporting activities and sharing our commitment to excellence in sailing,” said Carlo Cameli, President of Yacht Club Italiano. “We are very pleased to welcome North Sails Apparel into this collaboration, further strengthening the relationship between our two organizations. This new agreement represents an important opportunity to enhance the experience of our members, athletes and events, while continuing to promote the values, tradition and innovation that define both North Sails and Yacht Club Italiano.”
The core of this extended union is the seamless integration of advanced sail aerodynamics with ergonomic apparel design. This "360-degree" approach ensures that the technical requirements of the modern sailor are met both on and off the water.
"Formalizing our partnership with the Yacht Club Italiano is a natural step forward in our shared history," stated Cedric Georges, CEO of North Sails Apparel. "Moving beyond our established rapport, this agreement allows us to work even more closely on innovation and performance. We are proud to support the Club as it navigates toward its 150th anniversary and beyond."
With a shared history as their foundation and innovation as their compass, North Sails and the Yacht Club Italiano are united by a unified vision. As preparations begin for the upcoming racing season and the milestone celebrations ahead, this partnership stands as a testament to their enduring dedication to the sport of sailing and the global yachting community.
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