I always find it almost magical (I never exaggerate!) that what was a 3D spinning rendered live model on our screens in darkest November 2022 becomes a fully-fledged physical aero-foil generating upwind lift and downwind power in April 2023!
So, we are delighted that North Sails-powered race boats have kicked off the season with some great early race wins...
I had the pleasure of joining Paul O'Higgins and his team on his JPK 1080 "Rockabill VI" on their first (of two) ISORA winning outings this year; great stuff, guys and a pleasure to race with you.
Inshore, the DBSC summer racing kicked off. Colin Byrne and his team on his Xp33 "Bon Exemple" sailed beautifully on the first Thursday night, starting at the pin and soon afterwards, tacking and crossing the fleet. Here is the view as they crossed us (!)....
Colin Byrne's XP 33 'Bon Exemple' winning first DBSC Thurs Race flying her 3Di RAW Inshore main and Code 1 jib - Photo: Maurice O'Connell/North Sails
And over to the Northside of Dublin, we were delighted to see Colm & Therese Bermingham unveil their 3rd generation of North Sails on the Elan 333 "Bite The Bullet"....
Colm & Therese Bermingham's Elan 333 'Bite The Bullet' flying her 3Di RAW Main and No. 1 genoa - Photo: Maurice O'Connell/North Sails
On lovely Belfast Lough, it looks like a fantastic resurgence of IRC racing is underway. It was wonderful to see John Minnis and his team on his A35 "Final Call" powered by North Sails winning the RUYC Spring Series last weekend.
John Minnis A35 "Final Call II" flying his North Sails 3Di RAW main and Code 2 jib winning WAVE Regatta 2022: Photo: Annraoi Blaney
3rd overall, using a new turbo-sized 3Di RAW Code 1 jib was Michael Eames in his Jeanneau Sunfast 3200 "All Or Nothing".........in Michael words - "New jib makes a massive difference in the light airs"...............here is a pic from aboard "All Or Nothing"............
3Di ENDURANCE Main & Code 2 jib on Jeanneau SF 3200 'All Or Nothing'
In Cork, things have been in full swing since the KYC March League. My colleague Nigel Young was afloat fitting new sails to the 1/4 Tonner "Illegal", Here is a little pic of some nice detailing on the 3Di RAW jib tack to match the jib cunningham system on the boat:-
'llegal' jib tack finishing - Photo: Nigel Young/North Sails
On the cruising sails front, we've had lots of sail trials too!
My colleague Shane Hughes fitted these beautiful 3Di NorDac upwind sails to Jonathan Stanley's Sun Odyssey 349 last month.....
Sun Odyssey 349 3Di NorDac furling jib - Photo: Shane Hughes/North Sails
.....and also a beautiful "Easy Furling" Gennaker.................
"Baleal" Sun Odyssey 349 Easy Furling Gennaker - Photo: Shane Hughes/North Sails
It's not just about monohulls either..................here is Shane again fitting a symmetric spinnaker - with no spinnaker pole on Svein Sjoberg's beautiful Lagoon 42....
Check out this video too!
Finally, a pic of the Code Zero flying on Rupert Barry's lovely new Jeanneau SunFast 3300 "Mad Maggie" - I love the name!
NPL Xi Code Zero flying on Rupert Barry's 'Mad Maggie'
So whether you race or cruise, North Sails has something for you!
Good luck to everyone as the weather gets warmer, see you on the water!
Prof/Maurice O'Connell
