(Monday 21st May, 2018) – The 2018 season marks the seventh year of the hugely successful 52 SUPER SERIES, which is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet. As a world leader in grand prix racing technology for the “engine above deck”, North Technology Group has today partnered with the circuit. The 2018 52 SUPER SERIES will be supported by North Sails, experts in sail-making technology; Southern Spars, bespoke carbon mast and boom specialists; and Future Fibres, composite rigging makers.
With the TP52 Class attracting the attention of teams with aspirations to win the America’s Cup in 2021, the 52 SUPER SERIES will see 13 boats from nine countries line up to compete across five week-long regattas this summer. With the entire fleet using Southern Spars and Future Fibres, and ten boats selecting North Sails 3Di, it was a natural progression for North Technology Group to offer its world class technologies, knowledge and services across all of the events.
Commenting on the partnership, Paul Westlake, Executive Vice President and Grand Prix Expert at North Sails concluded:
“North Sails has built its reputation amongst the TP52 Class over a number of years now to the point where we are recognised not only for designing and producing the best sails for their high-performance needs, but for also offering our wider expertise and services through our global network of lofts and in-house Grand Prix sail designers. As the America’s Cup returns to monohull racing, the 52 SUPER SERIES continues to attract some of the best sailors in the world, and we are proud to be part of such a prestigious international circuit that will continue to grow the sport and deliver exciting racing on the water.”
The current Champions, Azzurra, race with a North Sails 3Di inventory, and they have won the Championship three times (2012, 2015 and 2017), and are the only team other than Quantum Racing to have taken the top spot.
Commenting on the partnership Mark Hauser, Founder and Sales Director of Southern Spars said:
“As a long-time supplier to the 52 SUPER SERIES fleet, Southern Spars is proud to once again work with not only such a respected and innovative class but also one of the most challenging. We have a long and positive relationship with the series, delivering the finest and most innovative rigs to suit these exciting high speed monohulls. With all of the fleet sporting Southern Spars rigs, and nine with the latest generation of mast, it made perfect sense for us to become a Technical Partner. We are excited to be able to offer our world-class technology, expertise and service beyond our rigs across all of the events.”
The 52 SUPER SERIES covers five trophies in Europe from May to September:
- Sibenik 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week: May 23rd – 27th, Sibenik, Croatia
- 52 SUPER SERIES Zadar Royal Cup: June 20th – 24th, Zadar, Croatia
- ROLEX TP52 World Championship Cascais 2018, July 17th – 21st, Cascais, Portugal
- Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week, August 21st – 25th, Mallorca, Spain
- 52 SUPER SERIES Valencia Sailing Week: September 18th – 22nd, Valencia, Spain
Contact Details
Bridgid Murphy, North Sails: bridgid.muprhy@northsails.com / + 1 617 697 7724
Ignacio Mallent, Southern Spars / Future Fibres: Ignacio.Mallent@southernspars.com / + 34 961 45 21 35
52 SUPER SERIES: press@52superseries.com / +34 963 286 212
About North Technology Group (“NTG”)
North Technology Group originated with worldwide sailmaking leader North Sails in 1957. Founded by Lowell North in a garage in San Diego, USA, NTG has grown into a diverse family of companies serving marine and manufacturing markets worldwide. Each company was built on the principle of delivering advanced performance through superior technology and a commitment to quality craftsmanship and customer service. Other NTG companies include; Edgewater Power Boats, North Cutting Systems, North Thin Ply Technology, and Southern Spars, the industry leader in composite spar and rigging. For more information, please visit:
www.northsails.com
www.northcuttingsystems.com
www.southernspars.com
www.ewaterboats.com
About North Sails Group
North Sails, the largest division of North Technology Group, is the world leader in sailmaking technology. North Sails holds the patent for 3Di, a unique composite construction process that produces high-performance sails that approach the shape holding of a rigid foil. North Sails is the sailmaker of choice on the majority of America’s Cup, Grand Prix, ocean race boats and Superyachts. North Sails offers a wide range of performance 3D and paneled sails for cruising sailors and is the world’s leading sailmaker for one-design classes with more National, World and Olympic Class victories than all other sailmakers combined.
About North Sails 3DiTM
3Di™ is a unique, patented sailmaking technology that produces the world’s fastest and most durable sails. 3Di sails mirror the balanced load bearing and shape holding of a rigid airfoil wing. They are composed of ultra-thin unidirectional spread filament tapes, pre-impregnated with thermoset adhesive, arranged in a multiple-axis array, and three-dimensionally molded into a one-piece, flexible composite membrane. A spread filament tape is an individual yarn that has been spread out until the individual filaments lie side-by-side; forming an ultra-thin “tape.” This exclusive technology enables 3Di sails to be made from fiber and adhesive only—without the need for Mylar film. North’s proprietary automated tape laying system allows designers precise control over the placement and orientation of material within each sail. This unitary, monolithic construction produces an airfoil that has balanced resistance to distortion in all directions.
About Southern Spars
Southern Spars is a division of the North Technology Group, the world leader in sail-making technology. Southern Spars specialises in the design and construction of carbon fibre spars and components, rigging and rig servicing. As the industry pioneer, Southern Spars built its first carbon spar in 1990. Since then the company has pursued a passion for delivering world class superyacht and racing spars, carbon rigging and service.
