Italian Oceanic Sailmaker WSAIL partners up with the Global Solo Challenge 2023
by Global Solo Challenge 13 Mar 2021 20:40 AEDT
Italian skipper Marco Nannini sails on his `Unicredit` monohull on October 21, 2010, off the coast of Saint Malo, western France in preparation for the 9th Route du Rhum sailing race to start on October 31, 2010 © Damien Meyer
Organisers of the Global Solo Challenge 2023 (GSC) are delighted to announce WSAIL as new Event Partner increasing the range of suppliers that are choosing the GSC as a platform to promote their Brands.
Di-Tech Sailmakers, also knows as WSAIL, was founded by Roberto Westermann in 1984 and produces sails and accessories for sailing boats out of its loft in Lavagna, Italy. Roberto is first and foremost a passionate sailor and has always transferred his enthusiasm for offshore sailing to all his collaborators.
His personal experience include building an Open 40 prototype back in the early 2000's, a forerunner of the up and coming Class40, before the final box rule was announced. Roberto successfully campaigned his custom built "Spinning Wheel" in the 2009 RWYC OSTAR taking third overall. In the Mediterranean he has sailed and won many events in the offshore racing circuit.
As a sail loft, WSAIL has been involved in the making of sails and preparations for many blue water cruisers which then embarked on round the world trips, and many others that participated in Atlantic Rally for Cruisers events.
His attention to detail has also enabled him to become a point of reference for the demanding circuits of one design boats, where the tiniest difference can set you apart, and teams using his sails have won many J80 Italian championships.
Global Solo Challenge "Event Director" Marco Nannini recalls: "I met Roberto at the 2009 OSTAR and we have been friends since. I was always impressed with his ability to think out of the box and find new solutions to old problems. When I moved from my OSTAR boat, a Sigma 36, to the Class40 I campaigned at the RBI 2010, Route du Rhum 2010 and Global Ocean Race 2011/2012 (where I took second place overall), Roberto was not just my sailmaker but a full member of my advisory team. It proved to be the right choice: of all competitors I was the only boat that completed the five legs of the event with the same suit of sails I had at the start, with no need for any replacements".
WSAIL owner Roberto Westerman added: "Being involved in an Event like the Global Solo Challenge is a opportunity which stimulates me positively, I really enjoy delivering sails, accessories and in general solutions which contribute factually to the success of an offshore sailing campaign. We have worked on some Golden Globe Race boats such as that of Francesco Cappelletti and now Guido Cantini who intends to sail the OSTAR before setting off for his solo circumnavigation at the 2022 GGR. In the Global Solo Challenge there will be a wider range of boats allowed and this will require careful consideration of the most effective solutions for each boat".
WSAIL is a concentration of oceanic experience which can make this boutique sailmaking loft a point of reference for boats based in Italy and the Med in their preparations for the Global Solo Challenge. Participants in the Event will receive a substantial Event-reserved discount.
Visit the event website at globalsolochallenge.com.