one is describing Imoca sailing as a pleasant experience. In foiling conditions, wearing body armour, even helmets and mouthguards, has become necessary protection from the random and violent motion of the modern Imoca. This constant state of readiness
takes its mental and physical toll. Offshore gear tends to be bulky and over time, just wearing it can sap a sailor’s energy. Ehler, a veteran of four editions of the Volvo Ocean Race, was pleasantly surprised just how much lighter North Sails Performance feels when you put it on. The difference feels even more pronounced after a few days at sea. ‘What’s an absolute godsend is that it just doesn't feel like you're wearing the kind of heavy offshore gear that we have traditionally worn in the past. Generally what happens is, as you go further and further into a leg, the gear is just getting more and more saturated and therefore it gets heavier and heavier and heavier. This gear is so light at the outset and the 4DL reinforcement doesn’t absorb any water, like the traditional Cordura material, so it stays light – it’s nowhere near as heavy as the gear we’ve worn in the past.’ With Team Holcim-PRB running
a rotation system with the crew, Ehler had yet to find out if she’d be on for the daunting Leg 3. This is a whopping 12,750 nautical miles from Cape Town, non-stop through the Southern Ocean, around Cape Horn and finishing in Itajaí, Brazil. It’s the longest leg in the 50-year history of the round-the-world race, and it’s going to be more than a month at sea aboard some of the most uncomfortable sailing boats ever conceived. Ehler is steeling herself for the
big leg, should she be called upon to join Escoffier’s crew. ‘It’s obviously going to be a cold leg and a long leg. So being able to stay warm, but also to stay dry, is going to be imperative. Whenever you're going on deck to do a sail change it’s going to be wet and cold. You're going to need the thermal layers and the waterproof gear on to protect you. Down below it’s a bit of an unknown how warmit's going to be, but you’re going to need to have amultiple layering systemto be able to sleep well. Finding that balance of layering and changes of clothing if you do get wet, those choices are going to be critical.’ Again, the lighter weight and the confidence in the waterproofness of North Sails Performance clothing makes these choices easier. ‘Because you’ve got the lighter material doing the job that much heavier offshore gear would normally do, you’re not feeling like the
Other top racing teams who have switched to North Sails Performance gear include the RORC Transatlantic winner I Love Poland (top) and the super maxi Wild Oats XI (above)
Michelin Man. There are some really good products in the North range that are not heavy, yet they provide plenty of warmth, and that will really come into its own on Leg 3.’ Nigel Musto says big teams are
seeing the benefit of lighter gear when it’s calculated across a crew of 10,15,20 sailors or more. ‘It’s one of the reasons why the Wild Oats XI team has bought a wardrobe from us for this year’s Australian offshore season, including the Rolex Sydney- Hobart of course. North Sails Performance foul weather gear is 30 per cent lighter than traditional offshore kit. Our Offshore Jacket and Trouser combined weigh 1.7kg, which is an average saving of 600g per set. Across a crew of 24 that's an unrated weight saving of close to 15 kilograms - a considerable advantage.’ Konrad Lipski, recent winner
of the RORC Transatlantic Race aboard the VO70, I Love Poland, makes this exact point. ‘North Sails Performance foul weather gear is the lightest and most durable kit we have ever sailed in,’ says the 27-year-old navigator. ‘After more than 20,000 nautical miles and three Atlantic crossings, the whole set works perfectly. Thanks to that, we could limit the amount of gear for all crew members on offshore races like RORC Transatlantic Race 2023;
every gram less gave a tiny fraction of a knot for over 3,000 nautical miles –all those details matter.’ As Nigel Musto points out: ‘Top
teams are ordering North Sails Performance from us and they’re buying it, we’re not just giving it to them. We’re not having to sponsor anyone to convince people to wear it. That’s because it’s not just another variation on the same old offshore kit. What we’ve developed really is a step change in comfort and efficiency on board. Sailors who want to win will always choose the best technology to help them achieve their goals.’
www.northsails.com/performance❑
North Sails Performance Clothing Victory List
2023 RORC Transatlantic Monohull Line Honours – I Love Poland 1st
2023 The Ocean Race 1st
Leg 1 + 2 – Holcim-PRB
2022 Finistère Atlantique – Action Enfance 1st
du Rothschild
2022 24H Ultim 1st
du Rothschild
2022 Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe 1st
Ultim 32/23, Charles Caudrelier – Gitana Team / Maxi Edmond de Rothschild 1st
Imoca, Thomas Ruyant –
Imoca, Kévin Escoffer – Holcim-PRB 1st
LinkedOut 4th
Rhum Multi, Loïc Escoffier - Lodigroup
2021 Rolex Fastnet Race Line Honours: Gitana Team / Maxi Edmond du Rothschild
SEAHORSE 65 Gitana Team / Maxi Edmond - Gitana Team / Maxi Edmond IRC Super Zero – I love Poland
ROBERT HAJDUK/PFN
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