North Sails to provide sails for 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race teams

by North Sails on 18 May 2013 Built by North Sails in our Minden, Nevada factory and finalized in Vannes, France, the Volvo Ocean 65 sails will benefit from the experience and technology of the world’s leading sailmaker. North Sails works with a very advanced 3Di technology – a 3D moulding technique giving the sails a flying shape.

In 2014-15, each one-design Volvo Ocean 65 will race around the world with just 12 sails, a major reduction in the inventory from previous races and another significant cost saving introduced as part of the project. Just eight race sails are allowed on board, with no (non-repair) re-cuts and only four replacement sails.

With the exception of the A3 and the storm jib, all sails will be built to varying deniers using North Sails’ 3Di process, using pre-impregnated tapes made of black Twaron Aramid and clear Dyneema SK75 fibres.

No carbon is allowed in the sail material as it blocks the signals to and from the satellites essential for communication and data transfer.

Have you got 3Di sails on your boat? To see the amazing manufacturing process of how all 3Di sails are built check out this video!



For more information on all our latest product developments from cruising and one design to high performance yachts contact North sails Australia today.