Spring Series Sails Talk
Race 5 - April 9th 2000
After four weeks of light winds competitors were finally treated to a good breeze; some might actually say it was a bit too much! In IRM, Warlord made it three wins out of four races. Desperado Of Cowes revelled in the strong conditions to take IRC 1 by over eight minutes on corrected time. In IRC 2 Walk On By beat The Big Cheese by just over a minute to take a lead in the series. Flair III scored her second win in IRC 3 to take the series with a race to spare. In IRC 4 Arion took a very impressive third win in succession, showing great consistency across a wide range of conditions.
Banks Sails everywhere! Roaring Meg follows Fandango in Race 4. Photo Thornycroft. Call 01983 290220 or check out www.yacht-photos.co.uk for pictures of your boat.
SAILMAKING HITS THE HEADLINES!
Since a judgement was reached last week in Connecticut, USA, on the patent battle between Sobstad and North Sails, sailmaking has certainly been in the news. Further details are on www.sailingsource.com. It makes interesting reading!
Since we merged with Ratsey and Lapthorn (R&L) in January 1999 we have worked together on many exciting projects. One such project currently underway at both lofts is the new suit of sails for Blue Leopard.
The boat is a 110ft Laurent Giles designed bermudan rigged ketch from the early 1960s. Her current owner, Roger Sandiford, also owns two other well know classics: Solway Maid and Sunshine.
Mark Ratsey of R&L is heading the team working on the new sails, assisted by Banks Sails designer Hugh Myers. Among the eight sails in the new inventory is a 565m2 spinnaker featuring a 15m leopard!
Blue Leopard's mainsail and mizzen are interesting in that they are designed to accommodate both standard and full-length battens. For the classic regatta circuit in the Mediterranean boats have to be kept as close as possible to the original concept, therefore no full battens. However for cruising and races such as the Atlantic Challenge full battens were the preferred option and hence we produced a sail that suited both.
Grand Soleil's new 34.1 is due to arrive in Britain at the end of June. From the drawing board of Alessandro Vismara the design has already scored some great results in Germany.
The first British boat, for Mr K Sansome, will be powered by Banks Sails. His inventory will comprise a Checkmate Pentex Mainsail, AP No.1 and No.3 combined with a Series 2000 AP Spinnaker.
Richard Baldwin of International Yachts in Hamble, who will be displaying the 34.1 at this year's Southampton Boat Show, said, "I am looking forward to realising the racing potential of the boat and I'm sure that Banks Sails will help!"
For further details contact Richard on 02380 455977.
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