North Sails Switzerland
Four tips from Nicolas Groux, master sailmaker, for fine-tuning your wardrobe before the regatta.
” All the Bol favorites optimize their sail plan before the start,” explains Nicolas Groux. The North Sails Suisse master sailmaker knows all about it. With its many transitions, the Lake Geneva loop requires an excellent knowledge and mastery of one’s wardrobe. Checking and verifying, inventorying and stowing everything consistently in the boat according to the weather forecast” is an important prerequisite for the regatta. Going one step further can make a real difference. Here are four ways to optimize your wardrobe.
Test sails to get to know them better
“Do we lower the spinnaker?” is a question that haunts Bol competitors. Trial runs help to better understand the sail motor and the range of use of each sail. The interest here lies in finding the extremes of each sail. Up to what wind force can the flying genoa or spinnaker be held? The boundaries between two headsails evolve according to wind forces. Regular note-taking during training outings can help build up a “sail matrix”. This strategic guide will help you make the right decisions during the many hybrid points of sail imposed by the race.
Extend the range of use by optimizing fittings
A very open genoa and a well-trimmed spinnaker are not uncommon. We’re not on a built-up course here. Good fittings can push a sail to its limits. The barber hauler can be used to modify the angle of the spinnaker or flying genoa. The short sheet is a second sheet that can be used to open the tack via the chainplates.
Equipping for the night
At the Bol d’Or, sailing at night is a must. How do you check your settings without harsh lighting? A good flashlight (with charged batteries), a deck light, and proper electronics tuning are good prerequisites. But for Nicolas Groux, there’s something even better: the “Glowfast” fluorescent strips on the top of the sails. An invention of the Volvo Ocean Race, they allow the settings to be read at a glance. The pennons can also be placed on top of Glowfast, making it easier to read the sails at night. At the 5 Jours du LĂ©man, some Surprise boats put UV lamps in the mast to make fluorescent favors glow in the sails. Good thinking!
Estimating your rating
It’s possible to save rating points in your living room. For one thing, sails shrink over time. So it makes sense to measure luff lengths regularly. Secondly, because the rules are changing. Checking your rating declaration with your favorite master sailmaker can lead to a better ranking on corrected time.
