RECORD BREAKING ENTRY AT THE 36TH COPA DEL REY

North Sails clients win nine out of ten classes in 36th Annual Regatta in Palma

A record breaking 138 boats entered into the 36th edition of the Copa Del Rey in Palma last week. This included ORC and One Design racing. The Bay of Palma is well known for its reliant 12-18 knot sea breeze, which comes in consistently as the land heats up. Due to the extreme temperatures this year, Copa Del Rey did not see these conditions until the final day of racing. Despite the light winds, the race committee managed to fit in at least nine races in all divisions.

North Sails clients won all Swan One Design classes in the regatta: Hendrik Brandis and Team in Early Bird (GER 5005) in the Swan 50 fleet, Jose Maria Meseguer’s Pez de Abril (ESP 4225) in the Swan 42 fleet, and Christian Plump and team Elena Nova in the Swan 45.

In the foiling GC32 fleet, all the podium positions used full North Sails inventories. Japanese team, Mama Aiuto, won the event after the 14 race series followed by US Team Argo and the Swiss Real Team.

Rafael Carbonell’s Swan 45, Rats on Fire (ESP 9400), racing in ORC1 won the class by two points followed by Luis Senis’ Swan 45 Parron IX (ESP 10222) – who were tied in equal points with Maserati (ESP 1234) in their DK 46. As Parron IX was carrying four-1st place finishes, this put them into runners up position. In ORC 2 Sum Innovation (ESP6746) took the lead in their Rodman 42.

The ORC 3 podium was also dominated by North Sails clients, however, the stand out performance goes to Grupo Ceres (ESP 6928) in their Dufour 45 who finished the regatta with eight bullets out of nine races, giving them an impressive 11 point lead ahead of British team Just the Job (GBR 7897R) on the J/97, who also sailed a great regatta.

Congratulations to all our North Sails clients!
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21 November

LEADING THE CAPE 31 CLASS - NORTH EXPERT INSIGHTS

A total of 29 teams, representing 9 different nations, engaged in fierce competition across six events this year. While Cape 31s have attracted some of the world's best sailors, the class rules, which limit the crew to three professionals, also create an environment where owner-drivers race with friends and family.

03 May

SUSTAINABLE SAILMAKING IN THE DESERT

07 April

Cape 31 Tuning Guide

After countless hours sailing, testing and competing in the Cape 31, North Sails shares our tuning notes in an effort to get sailors and teams up to race winning speed quickly for the most competitive racing. As we learn more about the Cape 31 and further its development, new information regarding setup, tuning and trimming techniques will be updated online at northsails.com. As always, contact your North Sails Expert for all the most up to date information and for help tuning your boat. 1. Tuning Guide 1.1 Tuning Matrix TWS (kts) V1 (PT-3) D1 (PT-2) D2 (PT-2) Forestay Chocks 4-8 Base -2 Base -1 Base Base -8 +1 in front 8-10 Base Base Base Base -4 Base 10-12 Base Base Base Base -2 Base 12-14 (Base) Base (20) Base (34) Base (26-27) Base Base 14-16 Base +1 Base Base Base +2 Base 16-18 Base +1 Base +1 Base Base +4 Base 18-20 20+ Base +2 Base +3 Base +1 Base +1 Base Base Base +6 Base +8 Base Base -1 1.2 Tuning Notes Base forestay arc: 1.71m. Measure this from the top edge of the bottom white band on the mast to the middle of the forestay pin (swing the jib halyard to mark the forestay luff foil). Mast butt position: 13.5-14.5cm from the aft edge of the mast to the center of the front keel bolt Base deck chocks: You should have light pressure on the front chocks (avoid inverting the lower mast when on +1 chocks). Settings tip: It can be worth having a few different stiffnesses of the 3 top mainsail battens. Please ask your North Sails expert to find out more. 2. Upwind Trim 2.1 Jib Crossovers Light / Medium (LMi) : 5 -12 knots Medium / Heavy (MHi): 10 – 20 knots Heavy Weather (Hi): 19+ knots 2.2 Upwind Notes TRAVELER. Max up in light winds. In strong winds it is best to not go far below the centerline with the traveler car, use the fine tune to twist open the main. JIB CARS. In light and medium winds be max inboard on the car (most winds). TRIM. Have one person behind the helm in light winds (none if you’re not all on the windward rail). In strong winds have at least 2 people behind the helm. BATTENS. Tighten the top 3 battens in the mainsail so that there are no short vertical creases along the batten pockets. RUNNERS. Off in sub 6 kts, then progressively tighter until max combined headstay / tack load of 1.7 tonnes. Settings tip: Unless your rig is tightened for strong winds you may not be able to get to 1.6 runner load without the mainsail overbending (diagonal creases in the bottom ⅓ of the mainsail from the spreaders down to the clew. Overbend is slow). Please get in contact with a North Sails expert to discuss techniques and settings further. 3. Downwind Trim 3.1 Kite Crossovers A1.5: 5-10 knots A2: 8-18 knots A4 (or A2+): 18+ kts A3 Reaching 3.2 Downwind Notes In light airs (4-6 knots) Drop the jib. In 7 knots + you are looking to get the jib up and start sailing VMG angles based on hee. 12 knots + is full VMG sailing. Don’t be afraid to keep the bow up to build the speed initially. Hike. RUNNERS. Loosen the runners downwind, keep the windward one snug. When the wind increases, tighten the runners just enough to keep the headstay of the jib tight. Please get in contact with your local North Sails experts to discuss techniques and setting further. 4. North Sails Class Lead Ben Saxton ben.saxton@northsails.com +44 7962 238 742 5. Crossover Chart READ MORE

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