NORTH 3Di POWERS 49ER AND 49ERFX AT PARIS 2024 GAMES
49er and 49erFX set to race with cutting-edge sail technology that ensures precise shape, high performance and longer shape retention.
North Sails’ unique 3Di technology has powered boats of all sizes across the racing world over the last decade, from the America’s Cup and offshore solo records to inshore grand prix yachts and weekend club racing. In 2021, following an intense bidding process that included rigorous sail testing, the 49er and 49erFX class named North Sails as the official class sailmaker. The selection panel recognized that 3Di mainsails and jibs offered unparalleled benefits, so after three years of collaborative sail development 3Di will make its Olympic debut at the Paris Games this summer.
Strong yet light, North 3Di sails are known for their durability and aero-optimization. Precision engineering paired with zero-Mylar construction make it possible for North Sails to produce one design sails with consistent shape and detailing.
📸 World Sailing
North Sails designer Mike Marshall comments: “Our goal was to double the expected performance life of pervious class sails, significantly reducing the number of sails purchases over a sailor’s career. Consistency of both manufacturing and shape, along with longevity, are key benefits 3Di brings to the class. Our ability to precisely place the 3Di spread-filament tapes enables North designers to uniquely optimize a sail to handle loads and sail strain. The resulting 3Di is a customized structure that provides the most efficient use of power.”
Because of this, North 3Di is the perfect solution for the men’s and women’s fleets in this highly competitive Olympic skiff class as they battle for glory on the Olympic courses in Marseille in July and August.
The latest generation of 3Di 49er and 49erFX sails were developed using the powerful North Design software, the same proprietary software used to create the precise, high performance flying shape for all the boats competing in the America’s Cup.
Olympian Sime Fantela of Croatia, who won Gold in Rio in 2016 and will be competing in Paris, comments on the sails, “There are so many unique benefits of North Sails 3Di for the 49er class, notably the superb quality of material, reliability, durability, and consistency in shape. We can rely on these sails in all conditions and push them to the absolute limit, confident they won’t stretch, deform, or tear in strong winds or a big nosedive."
“North 3Di was integral to helping us break our own 49er speed record in 30+ knots of wind. I had complete trust that it wouldn't rip in those extreme conditions.
“The 49er is at the forefront of class development and committed to staying up to date. In terms of innovation, 3Di for the 49er class means we are not missing out on cutting-edge sail development and the class remains attractive to younger generations.”
The world’s leading sailmaker has a long and successful heritage with the Olympic Games. Following in the footsteps of company founder Lowell North who won Bronze in 1964 in Tokyo (Dragon Class) and took Gold in Acapulco in 1968 (Star Class), at least 16 current staff are former Olympians, appearing at over a dozen Olympic Games since 1976, and claiming 9 medals between them.
📸 World Sailing
North Sails has worked closely with the top sailors in all the Olympic classes to create sails that are optimized for performance, powering champions and medalists to victory on the water in Rio, Tokyo and over the sixty years. For decades North Sails Japan has been a driving force in sail development for the 470 Class, working closely with the leading sailors to maximize boat speed and acceleration while reducing drag. With an eye on the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles, North Kiteboarding has already registered a new Formula kite product to be one of the officially recognized products that the sailors can use in 2028 in the fastest Olympic class.
North Sails President Ken Read noted, “North Sails is known for being at the forefront of innovation within sailmaking. We’re constantly developing our products and now, more than ever, looking for ways to make sailing more attractive to the younger generations. Whether it’s upgrading the 49er sail package, supplying the AC40 one design sails for the Women’s and Youth America’s Cup, or getting young sailors into high performance boats early in their journey, we believe that fast sailing is more fun. The Olympic sailing regatta in Marseille will once again showcase North Sails and our cutting-edge technology as the sail of choice for the best dinghy sailors in the world. Good luck to all the teams.”
