It’s been another fantastic season so far for North Sails and our wonderful clients.

On the inshore racing side, we’ve had podium successes this summer across almost all the classes at the Sovereign’s Cup in Kinsale, the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta and Calves Week.

We’ve had great success on the one-design side in the Dragons, Water Wags, Fireballs, Puppeteers, Mermaids and many many World and European Championship wins.

Josh Porter and Cara McDowell were the overall winners of the Fireball class at the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta on Dublin Bay | Credit: Afloat.ie

Offshore, our steely customers have powered through to success in the ISORA series, the Ailsa Craig Race, the Royal Dee Series, the Fastnet Race and many, many more.

Beyond racing, over 50% of our business is in supplying premium cruising sails for day sailing around the bay or around the globe.

North Sails 3Di OCEAN in-boom mainsail about to be hoisted onboard the Alden 52 Tara | Credit: Nigel Young/North Sails Ireland

Aboard the Moody 376 "Wavedancer" with her new NorDac (North Dacron) furling genoa - pic: Maurice O'Connell / North Sails Ireland

That brings us to our other news — owners and sailors take note that North Sails’ winter PPD (price period discount) programme is now live for a limited time.

So, if you are after the very best deal for the fastest and most durable sails on the market for your 2024 sailing programme, now is the time to get in touch with us.

From your North Sails team — Nigel, Shane and myself — sail FASTer for longer.

I thought I'd compose this little piece in light of the amazing pics, blogs and videos of the initial few hours of the 50th Fastnet Race last week. It looked EPIC!

I am not sure we have permission here to reproduce some of those cracking images we saw online. So, I thought I'd share this mad one with you - taken aboard the late Denis Doyle's Frers 51 "Moonduster" in the 1993 Fastnet - 30 years ago - how did that happen?

Moonduster  - The late Denis Doyle (seated at the back with navy cap) and among his crew Neil Hegarty Senior (helming) and article author Maurice O'Connell in the red top

North Sails-powered boats had fantastic results across all the classes in this year's Fastnet. Who could forget the sight of the 29 IMOCA 60s beating out of the Hurst narrows at the Western Solent, with treble reefed mains and small inner jibs...........check out this YouTube interview here with Charlie Dahlin, skipper of the IMOCA 60 "Macif" after they finished in Cherbourg and besting 2nd placed "Paprec Arkéa" by just 4 minutes! 

"Macif" was 100% powered by North Sails to take the Monhull Record.

Offshore racing is just different......in so many ways - crew compatibility, skill sets, reliability, redundancy, navigation, software, logistics, nutrition, weather, routeing, clothing, "what ifs", hygiene, character, stamina, fitness, SAFETY - I could go on and on and on!

J109 "Ruth" sail testing her North Sails AGRADE Superkote A3 reaching asymmetric prior to the Dun Laoghaire To Dingle Race - pic: Maurice O'Connell / North Sails Ireland

Here at North Sails, we know that the requirements for offshore sails can sometimes be a little different too.....for the following reasons:-

• durabllity - due to the 24/7 nature of the racing
• ease of usage - due to reduced crew on deck e.g need to be able to be fast upwind in a seaway with a wider "groove" and more stable downwind because trimming may not be so accurate or focussed
• visibility - need to be able to see sails at night (not easy if they are black!), so North Sails have optional Glowfast / reflective stripes, numbers and even LED solutions for this
• data provision - accurate sail data on their wind ranges and wind angles can he hugely helpful at night due to the reduced number of visual "cues" available in the dark - use the software on your onboard screens to assist with TWA, TWS, AWA, AWS etc.
• broader wind ranges using latest HELIX technology for headsails, flying sails and even mainsails now too - really useful to reduce the number of sail changes, thus preserving stamina and energy and reducing time loss

Sail testing North Sails HELIX Code 2 jib on SunFast 3600 "Searcher" prior to 2023 D2D Race - pic: Maurice O'Connell / North Sails Ireland

• shock loads - e.g. downwind shocks over prolonged time periods places a premium on quality materials and manufacturing techniques and careful alignment of fibres, seams, fabric characteristics etc
• IRC offshore set-up - number of kites, jibs, mainsail reefs, sail areas, ORC Category requirements, sail areas, crossover TWA's and TWS's etc.
• specialist offshore sails and setups for deployment / usage on long legs to ensure enough time for payment "payback" e.g. genoa staysail. flying jib, spinnaker staysail, Code 0 for "blast reaching" etc, usage of reaching kites etc. 

North Sails Dual purpose furling hi-viz genoa staysail / storm jib on J112e "ValenTina" - pic: Evan O'Connor

Here is a video of us aboard "Searcher", off the Mizen Head in West Cork, in this year's Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race blast "reaching" with our Code 0 and Genoa Staysail at 145 TWA (true wind angle) in 33 - 35 TWS (true wind speed)..........you would hardly ever see this inshore!

Here at North Sails Ireland, we LOVE offshore racing and are particularly pleased to see some fantastic offshore results this year so far from our gritty offshore clients. 

Dun Laoghaire to Dingle winner - Cookson 50 "Privateer" flying her beautiful North Sails HELIX 3Di Code 0 - Photo: Afloat

Take a look as these offshore results so far this season.........

Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race

Overall

1. Privateer - Cookson 50 - North Sails

IRC 1 (excluding "Privateer" who was obviously first in this class) 

2.  Searcher - Sunfast 3600 - North Sails

IRC 2

1. Mojito - J109 - North Sails

IRC 3

1. All Or Nothing - Sunfast 3200 - North Sails

IRC Cruising Class

1. Alpaca - XC 42 - North Sails*

ISORA Series 2023 to date

IRC 0

1. Rockabill VI - JPK 1080 - North Sails*

IRC 1

1. Mojito - J109 - North Sails

IRC 2

1. Jac Y Do - Jeanneau SunFast 3200i - North Sails* 

Ailsa Craig Race 2023 

Video above taken aboard Alan Hannon's JPK 1030 "Coquine" flying her North Sails 3Di RAW mainsail and North Sails HELIX NPL Code 0 en route to 2nd overall in the Ailsa Craig Race - video: Mikey Browne

1. Elandra Of Down - Sigma 33 - North Sails

2. Coquine - JPK 1030 - North Sails

3. Pippa IV - Beneteau First 40.7 - North Sails*

From your North Sails Ireland team - Nigel, Shane and myself - Sail FAST

WOW! What an event! Fair play to Regatta Director Paddy Boyd and the amazing VDLR team for putting on an amazing show. It was the breeziest event I remember in Ireland for a long time. There were many, many tired and sore bodies every evening after racing and perhaps a few delicate heads in the morning too!

I was racing in the red-hot 23-boat IRC 1 division on "Blast On Chimaera" with Barry Cunningham and his great team. It was the second biggest fleet and effectively very tight one-design racing. We were racing with our 2017/2018/2019 sails which are still FAST against many boats with newer gear. It is very satisfying to see the longevity of our North Sails kit.

As we all know, sailing is a game of "ifs, buts and maybes"! We missed the finish mark in race one whilst lying 3rd - necessitating hoisting the jib, dropping the kite and re-finishing in 13th. This cost us 10 points and a certain 2nd overall. C'est la vie - excuses, excuses............here is a pic of us going upwind with our 2018 North Sails 3Di Main and Code 2 jib. There is only one person not hiking - ME!

"Chimaera" hammering upwind with her North Sails 2017 3Di mainsail and 2018 Code 2 jib - Photo: Shona Gibson

My colleague Nigel Young was racing on the magnificent Elliott 57 "Opal" in the offshore class. Here is what Nigel had to say............

For this year I had the pleasure of sailing with Frank Whelan on his new Elliot 57 Opal. This was my first experience sailing a canting keel yacht and I really hope it's not my last. This boat can generate some serious power and we really had fun sailing her on the Offshore course. Conditions for the weekend were amazing and it was really special to have three days sailing in such strong winds.......Congratulations to all the North clients that found the podium this weekend; you know who you are!

Shane Hughes, the third member of our team was racing on "Snapshot" in IRC 1 - finishing a fabulous 2nd overall.............Shane and his team were also burning the midnight oil, especially on the Friday night, repairing and servicing over 30 sails successfully.

Shane onboard "Snapshot" en route to 2nd overall in IRC 1 - the biggest fleet in 2023 VDRL - flying her North Sails 3Di Main and Code 2 jib - Photo: Michael Chester

Here are a few words from Shane..........

What a great event! First and foremost, well done to the organisers and the race teams for running it in challenging conditions. I sailed with Mike and Richie Evans and the great team on Snapshot in Class 1. The competition there was intense with so many boats. John Minnis, Gareth Flannigan and the whole team on Final Call 2 deserve great credit for dominating the results and showing great consistency all week. We were delighted to take the final race win and finish in second place overall after a great tussle with White Mischief, Joker 2 and Chimaera over the weekend. Quite aside from that, I would like to give a big thanks to Niall Paskins and Paul Keal who worked with me in the overnight service, helping to keep as many boats going as we could. There were a few late nights!

The regatta was a fantastic success for our great customers and sailing friends across all the fleets. Here are the North Sails-powered podium results in order of class size...........well done everyone!

Offshore Class (25 boats competed)

"Checkmate XX" surfing into the finish flying her North Sails NPL Tour mainsail and 3Di Code 3 jib - Photo: Robert Bateman

1. "Checkmate" - Beneteau First 50 - David Cullen and Nigel Biggs - North Sails
2. "El Gran Senor" - J122e - Jonathan Anderson - North Sails
3. "Mojito" - J109 - Vicki Cox & Peter Dunlop - North Sails

IRC 1 (22 boats competed)

A dominant performance! A35 "Final Call" flying her North Sails 3Di mainsail and HELIX Code 2 jib - Photo: Afloat

1. "Final Call" - Archambault 35 - John Minnis - North Sails
2. "Snapshot" - J99 - Mike & Richie Evans - North Sails
3. "White Mischief" - Timothy & Richard Goodbody - North Sails

Flying Fifteen (19 boats competed)

2. Phil Lawton & Neil O'Hagan - North Sails*

IRC 2 (17 boats competed)

1. "Swuzzlebubble" - Farr Half-tonner - Jameseee & Dave Dwyer - North Sails
2. "Lambay Rules" - J97 - Stephen Quinn - North Sails
3. "Jeneral Lee" - J97 - Colin Kavanagh - North Sails

Water Wag One-Design Class (15 boats competed)

Sean Craig & Heather King winning the Water Wag class in Puffin - Photo: Afloat

1. "Puffin" - Seán Craig & Heather King - North Sails

IRC 3 (13 boats competed)

2. "Snoopy" - Joubert/Nivelt Quarter Tonner - Martin Mahon & Joanne Hall - North Sails
3. "Illegal" - Ceccerelli Quarter Tonner - Kieran Dorgan - North Sails

Beneteau First 211 One-Design (11 boats competed)

1. Yikes - Joe Smyth - North Sails
2. Chinook - Andrew Bradley - North Sails
3. Bees Wing - Pat Shannon - North Sails

Dragon One-Design (13 boats competed)

1. "Phantom" - Neil Hegarty, Emma, Hilary & Emma Williams - North Sails
2. "Little Fella" - Cameron Good, Simon Furney & Henry Kingston - North Sails
3. "Sir Ossis Of The River" - Denis & Joseph Bergin & Rory Byrne - North Sails

Fireball One-Design (13 Boats Competed)

Josh Porter & Cara McDowell smashing it flying North Sails - Photo: Afloat

1. Josh Porter & Cara McDowell - North Sails

J80 One-Design (12 boats competed)

4th overall - Jonathan Craig and Stephen Day flying their brand new MR-5 complete with North Sails graphics - Photo: Michael Chester

1. "Ram Jam" - Austin Kenny - North Sails
2. "Family affair" - Owen Laverty - North Sails
3. "Joint Custody" - Hugh Blaney - North Sails

Sigma 33 One-Design - 10 Boats

"Insider" flying her North Sails Norlon 75 class spinnaker and 3Di OCEAN 330 mainsail - Photo: Afloat

1. "Insider" - Stephen Mullaney - North Sails
2. "Leaky Roof 2" - Alan Harper - North Sails
3. "Squawk" - Paul Prentice - North Sails

IRC 0 (9 boats competed)

"Rockabill" flying her North Sails 2018 mainsail and 2023 Code 2 jib - Photo: Michael Chester

1. Rockabill VI - JPK 1080 - Paul O'Higgins - North Sails*
2. "Searcher" - Jeanneau Sunfast 3600 - Pete Smyth - North Sails
3. "Prima Forte" - Beneteau First 40 - Patrick Burke/Seán Lemass/Fergus Rigley - North Sails*

Beneteau First 31.7 One-Design (9 boats competed)

Levante flying her 3Di Mainsail and light-medium No. 1 genoa.jpg

"Levante" flying her North Sails 3Di mainsail & No. 1 genoa - Photo: Maurice O'Connell / North Sails

2. "Levante" - Michael Leahy & John Power - North Sails
3. "After U Too" - Michael Blaney - North Sails*

Non-Spinnaker 1 (8 boats competed)

2. "White Pearl" - Elan 333 - David Greene*

IDRA 14 (8 boats competed)

3. "Dart" - Piere & Yves Paul Rémy Long - North Sails

Non-Spinnaker 2 (7 boats competed)

2. "Menapia" - James McSweeney - North Sails

Cape 31 (6 boats competed)

2. "Tokoloshe" - Mike & Dave Bartholomew - North Sails
3. "Katabatic" - Lance Adams - North Sails

Roll on Calves Week Regatta in early August, everyone - another highlight of the sailing calendar!

Sail FAST.

Your North Sails Ireland team - Nigel, Shane and me, Prof.

Maurice O'Connell

Hi everyone,

I am just coming up for air after a fantastic Sovereign's Cup at Kinsale Yacht Club. KYC always puts on a fabulous show, and certainly, on the first two days, the weather didn't disappoint!

Well done to Regatta Director Anthony Scannel and your great team, and roll on 2025!

This year (I think it was my 6th or 7th "Sovs"), I was racing on John Treanor's brand new J112e "ValenTina" in the highly competitive 18-boat "Coastal" class. We were thrilled to come away with a hard-fought 2nd overall in an event that really did suit longer, bigger boats.........we "threw everything up" - mainsail, J1.5, J3, A2, A3, A4 and Code 0!

We had a fantastic crew ranging from 17 years old to perhaps just nudging the more "experienced" side of the seventh decade! Here is a video of all of us working together in gybing back in the harbour

Above: On board "Valentina" getting some gybing practice in! Video: Maurice O'Connell / North Sails Ireland

My colleague Shane Hughes was racing in the even more competitive 24-boat 1720 class and finished 2nd overall with my Round Ireland 2022 shipmate Julian Hughes' in "Root 1".

By all accounts, "Root 1" was FAST and turbocharged by the latest North Sails "T7" AirX 650N kite. They will be rueing a costly OCS - next time, guys!

1720 "Root 1" flying her North Sails 3Di RAW "MNi-1" main and "APG-1" jib - Photo: Robert Bateman

In IRC 3, my erstwhile "Jump Juice" skipper Conor Phelan continued his winning ways in "Anchor Challenge". I snapped this quick pic before racing on Thursday - note outboard! "AC" is still flying using her 2017 North Sails inventory and continues to show unstoppable form after also winning the KYC Spring Series earlier this year, as reported in Afloat. Brilliant stuff, guys and well done, too, to tactician Colm "CollyBA" Dunne, who's been racing with Conor since at least 2010!

Conor Phelan continued his winning ways in "Anchor Challenge" at the Sovereign's Cup Photo: Maurice O'Connell/North Sails

In IRC 2, Dave Dwyer, with his son Jameseeee driving the legendary "Swuzzlebubble", dominated the class, recording a string of bullets. What more can we say - hon, the Dwyers!

"Swuzzlebubble" flying her new North Sails 3Di RAW mainsail and 3Di RAW Code 1 jib - Photo: Robert Bateman

In the IRC Coastal class, my good friend Dave Cullen with co-skipper/owner Nigel Biggs, won by miles, powered by their 100% North Sails inventory.......Dave says he's getting old - but I don't believe him.

"Checkmate" extending her lead in the IRC Coastal class flying her new, bigger North Sails A-GRADE Superkote A2 and her NPL (North Panelled Laminate) mainsail - Photo: Robert Bateman

In IRC 1, John Maybury and his great team on "Joker II" battled to a hard-fought victory in IRC 1, pipping the 2021 champions "Snapshot" by two points."Joker II" is still using her 2017 North Sails 3DL mainsail and is still rocketship FAST. Tactician "Darry Hurcan" will be aboard again for Volvo Dun Laoghaire Week - watch out, IRC 1!

"Joker II" flying her North Sails 3Di Mainsail and A-Grade Superkote A2 just after a light airs kite hoist - Photo: Robert Bateman

In the White Sails fleet, Alan Mulcahy's "Apache", powered by North Sails, took the spoils from multiple Paralympian John "Tomb Raider" Twomey, racing with daughter Marielle on "Shillelagh".

Alan Mulcahy's "Apache" team winning White Sails 2 flying their North Sails mainsail and AP jib - Photo: Robert Bateman

Well done to all the competitors, organisers and volunteers in Kinsale.

Here are the North Sails-powered results:-

IRC 1

1. Checkmate - First 50 - Dave Cullen & Nigel Biggs - North Sails
2. ValenTina - Johnny & Tina Treanor - North Sails
3. El Grand Senor - Jonathan Anderson - North Sails

IRC 1

1. Joker II - John Maybury - North Sails
2. Snapshot - Mike & Richie Evans - North Sails
3. White Mischief - Timothy Goodbody - North Sails

IRC 2

1. Swuzzlebubble - Dave and Jameseee Dwyer - North Sails

IRC 3

1. Anchor Challenge - Conor Phelan - North Sails
2. Snoopy - Martin Mahon & Joanne Hall - North Sails

White Sails 1

2. Magnet - Kieran O'Brien & Fiorentina Carroll - North Sails

3. Prince Of Tides - Frank Caul - North Sails

White Sails 2

1. Apache - Alan Mulcahy - North Sails
2. Shilelagh - John & Marielle Towmey - North Sails

1720 European Championships

2. Root 1 - Julian Hughes - North Sails

From your North Sails Ireland team of Nigel, Shane and your scribe - sail FAST.

Maurice O'Connell

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

The North Sails family congratulates Emirates Team New Zealand for breaking the wind-powered world land speed record. Clocking in at 222.4km/h in 22 knots of windspeed, land speed pilot Glenn Ashby sailed the craft 'Horonuku' to its highest high-speed run after patiently waiting through months of weather delays on Lake Gairdner in South Australia.

See it happen below:

We'd also like to congratulate our sister-company Southern Spars, who designed and built Horonuku's wing.

No stranger to record runs, North Sails know records are made for breaking. And Ashby is already planning to do just that:-

"So for sure there is a cause for a celebration, but this isn't the end. From the initial idea and the beginning of this world record attempt, which was pushed and supported by Grant Dalton, Matteo de Nora and the rest of the team at Emirates Team New Zealand, the objective has never been about just beating the record, it has always been about pushing things to the limit and going as fast as we possibly can. We know we can go faster.".................

From us here at North Sails Ireland, congratulations to Glenn and the amazing team at ETNZ.

Maurice O'Connell,

NORTH SAILS IRELAND

Alan Hannon's beautiful North Sails-powered "Coquine" has just taken to the seas in Bangor.

She is a brand new JPK 1030 design from the JPK yard in France - a not-so-little sister to Paul O'Higgins' Dun Laoghaire-based all-conquering JPK 1080 "Rockabill VI"

I was delighted to be there for her initial outing to check out her new North Sails inventory with Alan and his team.

Andrew "Hammy" Baker with new North Sails HELIX 3Di RAW J2 Photo: Maurice O'Connell / North Sails Ireland

Check out these pics of her North Sails 3Di RAW upwind sails - complete with stunning graphics fitted post-production in France...

North Sails 3Di RAW Main and HELIX Code 2 jib powers 'Coquine' upwind in Belfast Lough Photo: Maurice O'Connell/North Sails Ireland

We also checked out three out of her four downwind sails. Here is a video of us (below) flying her (reefable) A3 reaching asymmetric spinnaker...

And a pic of us flying her beautiful S2 running spinnaker manufactured in A-GRADE Contender Superkote 75 nylon...

'Coquine' running downwind with her North Sails S2 Symmetric Spinnaker manufactured in AGRADE Contender Superkote 75 Photo: Maurice O'Connell/North Sails Ireland

I think we all had a great day...

Below 'Coquine' hammers upwind, flying her North Sails HELIX 3Di RAW J4 and full main Vid: Maurice O'Connell / North Sails Ireland

"Coquine" will have a busy season ahead, with the highlight being the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race in July.

Here at North Sails Ireland, we wish Alan and his team every success.

Sail FAST, guys!

Prof. Maurice O'Connell

North Sails Ireland is in the very fortunate position to be working directly with Europe's Largest Sail Loft, North Sails in Gosport.

This loft really is something special in the variety of work handled here and the sheer volume of sails that pass over the loft floor and onto the water. One Design to Super Yacht under the same roof is a rare thing these days.....

If you ever find yourself on the South Coast of England with a few hours to spare, it's well worth calling in for a look. Once you have stepped inside these doors, you will never look at a Sail Loft in the same way again.

A North Sail Loft sewing machinist at work at Fareham Photo: Ian Roman

I had the pleasure of running the One Design Division of North Sails in Gosport from 1994 through to 2004, and lots of my colleagues are still there today with the same passion and drive for the job. When you have a large operation like this with so many talented sailmakers, sailors and managers under one roof, it breeds an ultra-competitive environment and a product to match.

Sail decals are applied at the North Sails manufacturing loft in Gosport, UK Photo: Ian Roman

Take a look at this short video for a taste of what happens in North Sails Gosport on a day-to-day basis:

Behind the Scenes North Sails Gosport

Here at North Sails Ireland, we work directly with the Design Team in Gosport to produce the fastest possible sails for your boat. We are so lucky to have access to some of the World's top Designers to work with on our local and international projects.

Sails finished at the North Sail Loft, Fareham, are loaded onto the truck for delivery to the customer Photo: Ian Roman

I hope you enjoy the video, and please do not hesitate to contact us if we can help you now the season is coming to a close here in Ireland.

Sail FAST

Nigel Young

Greetings IRC racers here in Ireland!

On Tuesday 6th, December, the RORC will host a panel discussion about 'How to optimize your boat under IRC’. This is a "must-see".

North Sails' own double Olympic medallist (and skipper of "Green Dragon" in the 08/09 Volvo Ocean Race), Ian Walker, will be hosting a panel of experts, including North Sails European Design Manager, David Lenz and Sam North (the name is a total coincidence!).

Irish sailors will know "Lenzy" well as he was part of the winning Irish Team as tactician on "Antix" at the 2014 Rolex Commodore's Cup. He was also a tactician on "Squirt" at the Cape 31 UK Nationals, finishing a very close 3rd overall.

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, skippered by Ian Walker from the UK, competing in the Discover Ireland In-Port Race, in Galway, Ireland, during the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 Photo: Ian Roman

Also on the panel will be Sam North, who came 2nd in class and 3rd overall in Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race (which was his first season on the new boat), and RORC Commodore James Neville with his boat Ino XXX who came second overall in the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race. Irish readers will also know "Ino XXX", who unfortunately had to retire from the Round Ireland in June after hull damage off the Stormy South West.

This is a great chance to learn not only how to optimize your boat, mast, and sails to win under the IRC rule but how to improve your racing performance in general. If you want to know more about how to attend or how to watch the recording, check out the RORC page here

Mike & Richie Evans have had a stunning two seasons aboard their 100% North Sails-powered "Snapshot".

Their very first inshore regatta in 2021 was the hotly contested Sovereign's Cup in Kinsale in June 2021 - which they blitzed the fleet, winning IRC 1 and overall Boat of the Regatta.

They followed this with a 3rd overall in IRC 1 at the ICRA Nationals in September 2021 in Dun Laoghaire.

"Snapshot" finishing 3rd overall at the 2021 ICRA Nationals in the National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire Photo: Afloat

This year, in a true test of all-round competitiveness, they headed offshore on the 704-mile SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race - NARROWLY missing the overall win by a margin of only five minutes. They "survived a bashing", in Mike's own words.

"Snapshot" rounding Wicklow lighthouse soon after the Round Ireland start in June 2022 Photo: Afloat

They also finished 2nd overall in WAVE Regatta this year after John Minnis and his great team on their A35 "Final Call" - also powered 100% by North Sails.

Finally, they won the Beshoff Motors Autumn League in their home club of Howth last month.

Speaking just after being awarded the ICRA 2022 "Boat Of The Year", co-owner Mike Evans said:-

"My brother Richard and I had the pleasure of working on our J99 project with Shane Hughes from North Sails Ireland from the outset. Shane and the North Sails team helped us configure the yacht to perform in a wide variety of conditions, and we wanted the option to be able to compete offshore with the Round Ireland in mind. We have found good performance with our sail inventory upwind and downwind but also noticed the sails longevity and durability, having survived a bashing off the southwest coast in murderous conditions this year. There is also ongoing design refinement and optimisation, which is necessary to remain competitive, which is interesting and exciting."

HUGE congratulations to Mike, Richie and the "Snapshot" team from us here at North Sails Ireland. Your team are a pleasure to work with, and we look forward to helping you go FASTer in 2023