NORTH SAILS LAUNCHES THE NEXT GENERATION HELIX™ MOTH SAILS
America’s Cup Technology Refined for the Moth Class
Newport, RI – April 2026 — As the International Moth class continues to push the limits of speed and innovation, North Sails introduces the next generation of Helix™ Moth sails, representing the most significant advancement in North’s Moth sail design since the launch of Helix technology in 2022. Developed through multiple design cycles and refined with extensive on‑water feedback, the new Helix range sets a higher performance benchmark for competitive Moth sailors worldwide.
OPTIMIZED 3Di STRUCTURE AND LOAD‑PATH DESIGN
At the heart of the new Helix Moth sails is North Sails’ 3Di Molded Technology, a fully molded composite construction that delivers unmatched control of sail shape and load distribution. By precisely aligning fiber pathways with true load paths, 3Di increases modulus and structural stability with minimal weight gain.
The luff tube and deck sweeper are fully molded into the sail, creating a seamless flying surface. By integrating the luff pocket directly into the 3Di membrane, the sail achieves superior shape control, durability, and consistency across an exceptionally wide wind range. Camber inducers have been removed and replaced with split battens, further improving control, stability, and ease of use at speed.
“With Helix, we don’t think in terms of stitched components or isolated sail panels,” said Ruairidh Scott, North Sails Moth sail designer. “The sail is one continuous structure, engineered so the fibers follow the true load paths of the boat. This next generation reflects everything we’ve learned through years of testing, refinement, and racing.”
AMERICA'S CUP PEDIGREE, APPLIED TO THE MOTH
The structural layout of the next‑generation Helix Moth sails was developed with direct input from Graeme Willcox, North Sails designer and a key contributor to INEOS Team UK/Britannia’s recent America’s Cup campaign. Drawing on high‑load learnings from foiling AC yachts, the design optimizes fiber orientations to manage the extreme Cunningham loads, rapid shape transitions, and sustained high speeds that define modern Moth performance.
These insights were combined with North Sails’ in‑house membrane modeling, CFD analysis, and on‑water validation to produce a sail that responds precisely to control inputs while maintaining stability at speed.
A WIDER, MORE CONTROLLABLE PERFORMANCE RANGE
Compared to previous Helix Moth sails, the new generation offers a significantly broader usable range allowing sailors to move seamlessly from deeper, more powerful shapes for light‑air foiling to flatter, stable profiles for high‑speed conditions. This expanded range reflects the evolving Moth landscape, including faster boats, increased righting moment, and advancing foil design.
“The goal wasn’t just speed in one condition,” added Scott. “It was a sail that gives sailors confidence across the entire day, from marginal foiling to full‑commitment racing in breeze.”
THREE ALL-PURPOSE SAILS, ONE COMPLETE RANGE
The new Helix lineup consists of three All‑Purpose (AP) mainsails, designed to cover the full sailor weight range and a wide spectrum of wind conditions:
-
International Moth Blue Mainsail – Approx. 8.25 m²
The largest sail in the range, built to the maximum area permitted by class rules. -
International Moth Orange Mainsail – Approx. 7.95 m²
A versatile mid‑size option for a broad range of sailors and conditions. -
International Moth Red Mainsail – Approx. 7.65 m²
The smallest sail in the range, ideal for lighter sailors or stronger breeze.
All sails are designed at maximum luff length and share the same advanced fiber layout and molded split‑luff construction. Differences are primarily in area rather than visible shape, allowing many sailors to race competitively with a single sail across a wide range of conditions while enabling top competitors to further refine their setups.
SETTING THE BENCHMARK
The next‑generation Helix Moth sails are the result of years of continuous iteration rather than a single redesign. While incremental refinements have been made annually, this release represents the most substantial structural and layout update to date establishing the new reference point for Moth performance.
