THE NATIONS TROPHY

17 October

THE NATIONS TROPHY

North Sails Clients Represent at Nautor Swan’s Inaugural One Design Challenge

Launched by Nautor Swan, the Nations Trophy is a one-of-a-kind event that promotes a national approach to competition across three classes. The trophy goes to one nation based on their performance in the ClubSwan 42, Swan 45, and ClubSwan 50.

Real Club Nautico de Palma, a gracious host to 11 teams this past week, was honored to be a part of the inaugural event and committed to providing top quality racing for competitors. Each fleet raced under one design standards, scored separately, and the winner of the Nations Trophy was determined by a Nation’s “top two” overall finishing places across the three competing fleets.

“The teams were very close all week which made some nice photo finishes. The starting line approach was very important in this fleet since the boats need more time to get to their target speed. Time on distance was crucial. Every maneuver could cost us seconds and even meters, so it was very important we had our tactical decision made,” said Giulio Desiderato, strategist on Swan 42 Mela.

In the ClubSwan 42 and 45 classes, Spain’s North-powered Nadir and Porron IX came away with the overall win. In the ClubSwan 50 it was Germany’s Earlybird who stole the victory, and in second was Vladimir Liubomirov’s Bronenosec, followed by Leonardo Ferragamo’s Cuordileone. Congrats to Spain for being the top performing nation team, and well done to our clients for a hard fought regatta amongst some of the world’s most elite sailors. This year is one for the history books.

“The event was a success and the Swan families together on the same race course is simply amazing. Throughout the week there was great racing and fun social experiences. I look forward to competing in the Nations Trophy next time”, said Giulio.

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03 May

SUSTAINABLE SAILMAKING IN THE DESERT

Located just east of Lake Tahoe, Minden, Nevada, may seem like an unlikely spot for North Sails’ 3Di manufacturing hub, a sailing industry flagship center. However, it is true that is home to North Sails’ cutting-edge 3Di technology.

11 April

NORTH SAILS RENEWS INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP WITH CAPE 31 CLASS

World’s Leading Sailmaker continues its support of the Fast Growing, Owner Driver One Design Class North Sails is proud to have worked closely with the Cape 31 Class since launching the first boat in 2017, developing the optimal sail wardrobe for One Design and IRC racing. The Cape 31 is a high-performance grand prix design, asymmetric boat designed by internationally renowned yacht designer Mark Mills. The boat has proven itself as an exhilarating one design boat that planes downwind in over 13 knots and rates well under multiple rating systems, making it attractive to many sailors. The Cape 31 Class began racing beneath Table Mountain in Cape Town, SA but has taken the global sailing scene by storm in the last two years. With over 30 boats racing in the UK and several heading to the US, the Mediterranean, and Hong Kong, there are now worldwide class calendars forming for 2023 and beyond. David Lenz, North Sails designer, notes; “It’s awesome to have been involved with the Cape 31 class in the UK since the start. Picking up from the excellent work done in Cape Town, we had a great starting point for the sail designs. Since then, as with any new class, there has been tremendous progress as we work to understand what makes these boats go fast and how to use our technology, experience, and passion to produce the fastest sails in the fleet.” David Lenz is not only a Cape 31 designer but has also been very successful racing in the class, including winning the 2022 Race Circuit overall on Russel Paters’ Squirt. Additionally, the class is filled with North Sails designers and experts, which results in theories being tested firsthand with developments and advancements being made weekly. Commenting on the partnership, Tor Tomlinson Cheney, of Cape 31 Class, shares; “North Sails has worked closely with the class since its inception and has been a major factor in the success of the class in the UK. Their support is invaluable, and we are pleased to extend our partnership with North Sails to an International level.” The North Sails Cape 31 inventory is fully optimised for handicap and one design class racing and consists of one all-purpose 3Di Raw Carbon Square Top Mainsail and three 3Di Raw Helix Jibs. All 3Di sails have carbon leech battens and come ready to race. Downwind there are four spinnakers which all use a string drop system: an A1, A2, and A4 for running, plus an A3 for reaching. As the class expands globally, North Sails is working to ensure that the best sail package can be provided to teams worldwide. Get in touch with North Sails expert Ben Saxton, Cape 31 class leader at North Sails, to learn more about the class and available sail options. READ MORE

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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