sail-world.com -- Vendee Globe: Victory for Francois Gabart, North Sails, and 3Di techno
Vendee Globe: Victory for Francois Gabart, North Sails, and 3Di techno
Tue, 5 Feb 2013
Over the past three years, North Sails 3Di technology has won the Barcelona World Race, the Volvo Ocean Race, and now the Vendee Globe. The first two finishers for this spectacular race carried full North Sails inventories around the world, with the third placed boat a partial inventory.
Francois Gabart on Macif took the grand title, winning the Vendee Globe in only 78 days; beating the previous solo round the world record by 6 days, and also becoming the youngest ever winner of this prestigious race at 29 years old. His average speed was 15.3 knots.
Armel Le Cleac’h on Banque Populaire crossed just three hours afterwards. Both competitors were using North Sails 3Di, and Cuben fiber sails. Still following behind are other 3Di boats Virbac-Paprec, Synerciel, Gamesa, and Akena.
Since the 2007 America’s Cup, 3Di technology had evolved into the best product for both inshore and offshore sailing. All of the North Sails group have been striving to make 3Di the most reliable and stable product. According to both respective teams on Macif and Banque Populaire, the sails were still in amazing shape after 78 days of hard sailing around the world.
Along with the Vendee Globe success, North Sails has featured highly in Miami for the Key West Race Week, winning 13 out of 16 classes, and also the recent Bay of Islands Race Week on a local note.
3Di is a product which is rapidly becoming popular for yachts on all levels, and this is evident in such regattas.
Burke Marine
Burke Marine, suppliers of international quality marine clothing and equipment, was founded by Martin Burke on the shores of Sydney Harbour in 1971. Visit our website for your nearest stockist. [More info]
http://www.burkemarine.com.au
Ensign Ship Brokers
Ensign Ship Brokers was established in 1980 and has spent the last 28 years expanding our marine knowledge and developing our reputation! We strive to provide the very best service! [More info]
http://www.ensignbrokers.com.au/
GME Standard Communications Pty Ltd
Leaders in communications and navigation. Their goal has always been to make products whose innovation, convenience and peace of mind can help improve the lives of their customers. [More info]
http://www.gme.net.au
Hamilton Island Luxury Accommodation
Full range of private apartments, villas and houses on Hamilton Island. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 bedroom options available. All include buggy and island airport or marina transfers. [More info]
http://www.whitsundayholidays.com.au
Multihull Solutions
Multihull Solutions is Australia and New Zealand’s premier offshore and cruising catamaran and trimaran specialist, offering sales and servicing of the world’s finest multihull brands.
[More info]
http://www.multihullsolutions.com.au
Navionics Australia
Navionics is proud of its superb cartographic database comprising more than 25,000 charts and port plans; the largest privately owned database of its kind, the only one using full seamless technology [More info]
http://www.navionics.com.au
OziOpti
OziOpti is all about 'getting kids in boats' and the Australian company supporting the introduction to of the world’s most popular junior sailing yacht, the 'International Optimist Dinghy' [More info]
http://www.oziopti.com.au
Performance Sailcraft Australia (Asia Pacific)
Laser builder Performance Sailcraft Australia has taken on the successful RS Sailboat range from Britain, and is now licensed to build and distribute all of the RS range in the Asia Pacific region. [More info]
http://www.lasersailing.com.au
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
2013 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is Australasia's most significant marine lifestyle event. We look forward to welcoming you to the 25th annual event. [More info]
http://www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au/
Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week
Entries for the fourth annual Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week have opened! 4 days of racing, 5 days of fun – that is what you can look forward to from 3-7 September at Magnetic Island. [More info]
http://www.magneticislandraceweek.com.au
Ullman Sails
For over 45 years, Ullman Sails has been devoted to helping our customers reach their sailing goals. [More info]
http://www.ullmansails.com
VicSail Sydney
Vicsail Sydney Pty Ltd, launched into the Australian sailing fraternity in 1983 and has been sailing strong ever since. At Vicsail, “We Sail the Boats We Sell”. [More info]
http://www.vicsailsydney.com.au