Hectic times despite recession for North Sails NZ

10:50 PM Tue 10 Feb 2009 GMT

'North Sails NZ built the 17 spinnakers used in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series' Richard Gladwell Click Here to view large photo

Fresh from completing 17 gennakers to be used in the first run of every race in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, the next six weeks are non-stop for the North Sails team in the Auckland loft.

One of the key projects is readying Team CEEREF for the 2009 tour. The boat, which unlike most members of the RC44 circuit consists of a largely amateur crew, is enjoying success on the circuit, winning its last regatta and placing second on the 2008 Championship Tour.

North Sails are also constructing sails for the new Salpterton, launching soon out of Fitzroy Yachts in New Plymouth, and the Farr 80 Beau Geste, owned by Karl Kwok and skippered by Gavin Brady. Beau Geste is being built at Cookson Boats in Auckland, and will have a Southern Spars rig.

One of the most exciting projects is the completion of full sail wardrobes for both Emirates Team New Zealand's new TP52, and the new Artemis, both due to be launched by Cookson Boats in February.

ETNZ's boat, which is due to launch immediately after the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, is designed by Botin Carkeek, while the 2009 edition of Artemis is a Reichel Pugh design.

Both have opted for the local expertise of North Sails New Zealand.The TP52 class is seen as the most competitive big boat sailing available, and the 2009 Audi MedCup Circuit provide valuable race-hardening time on the water for the America's Cup syndicate.

The core crew of ETNZ is expected to consist of Ray Davies, Dean Barker, Kevin Hall, Adam Beashel, Jeremy Lomas and James Dagg. All are familiar with the TP52 boats and the MedCup circuit, sailing on the winning Mean Machine crew in 2006, and on the second placed Warpath crew. The boat will be shipped to Europe after sea trials are completed in New Zealand.

In the local pipelines are new spinnakers for the local MRX fleet of boats, the Line 7 Regatta in Wellington, and preparation for the busy season of national championships, including the hotly contested Young 88 and Farr 1020 champs, and the race from Auckland to Noumea later in the season.

Service Manager Daniel Bush is also in Wellington fitting new sails to the fleet of two handed boats in Wellington for the Portemao stopover.

For further information on North Sails NZ and to see the tuning guide for your class see www.northsails.co.nz

by Zoe Hawkins

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Hectic times despite recession for North Sails NZ

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