The Extreme Testing Ground

The Vendée Globe, one of the world's most legendary solo round-the-world sailing races, is underway. In Episode 3 of our special series, Charlie Enright speaks with key personalities who provide an insider's perspective on the early stages of the event.  Race director Hubert Lemonnier provides a glimpse into the 24/7 operation behind the scenes, with teams constantly monitoring the fleet's position and safety. He explains the challenges of balancing transparency for the fans with the need for strategic secrecy.  Sailing legend Dee Caffari shares her unique insight, having competed in the race multiple times. She highlights the incredible atmosphere of the start in Les Sables-d'Olonne, with thousands of passionate fans braving the elements to witness the spectacle. Caffari also analyses the tactical decisions of the leading sailors, including Sam Goodchild and Justine Mettraux.  Finally, renowned offshore navigator Simon Fisher discusses the weather patterns and navigation challenges facing the fleet. He praises the skills of sailors like Charlie Dalin, who have masterfully managed the tricky conditions in the early stages. Fisher expects a closely fought and unpredictable finish to the race with the fleet headed into the treacherous Southern Ocean.  

The Vendée Globe solo round-the-world race is a monumental event in France, capturing the nation’s heart and drawing massive crowds, both shoreside and online. As the start of this year’s race approaches, the North Sails team is busy providing crucial last-minute support to the skippers, ensuring everything is in perfect order. Join North Sails and Loft 57 ‘s guest-host Charlie Enright as we delve into the preparation required to get to the start line of this prestigious offshore ocean race.  In this episode, we welcome Thomas Gaveriaux, CEO of TR Racing. TR Racing has two boats in the race, and they are not just aiming for victory but also promoting important social causes like cybersecurity and vulnerability. We also speak with North sail designer Max Tringale, who shares insights into how North 3Di technology enhances the versatility and durability of the IMOCA 60 sails. Additionally, Thomas Normand from North Sails France discusses the vital collaboration between sail designers, naval architects, and skippers, emphasizing the importance of adapting sails to meet the unique needs of each boat.  

Imagine being alone, confined to a boat no larger than 40 square meters, amid extreme weather conditions that test your endurance and psyche. You're at Point Nemo in the Pacific Ocean—the most remote spot from land on the planet. Each moment is a surge of emotion: fear, loneliness, and passion for the sport. It's crazy. And it's called the Vendée Globe.   Join Offshore Sailor and Ocean Race Champion Charlie Enright, who guest-hosts our Loft 57 Podcast for five special-edition episodes focused on the Vendee Globe 2024, a solo, non-stop race around the world without assistance.   In Episode 1, Charles speaks with IMOCA Class President Antoine Mermod and Co-Manager for Sustainability and Partnerships at IMOCA Imogen Dinam Price. He also dives in with Dave Reed, editor of Sailing World Magazine, for an international perspective on this famed French race. Finally, Charlie checks in with a friend and former training partner, offshore sailor Pascal Bidegorry.  

The 37th America's Cup makes its mark in history by introducing the Women's America's Cup and elevating the Youth America's Cup. These two events sailed in the one design AC40, showcased optimism for a new era in Cup history, and paved the way for more women and up-and-coming talent to compete in the main event. In this episode, North Sails President Ken Read speaks with two team members of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli: Giulia Conti, helmswoman for the winning boat in the first-ever Puig Women's America's Cup, and Rocco Falcone, trimmer on board the Italian team's winning youth boat. Ken also sits with 470 World Champion and Olympic sailor Luise Wanser, trimmer with Women's AC Team Germany.     Ken and our guests dive into discussions on their experiences that led to their Cup appearances, what parents and the sailing community can do to support young sailors, and pose the question – is the future of fast, high-performance sailing on foils?   This episode is a must-listen for young sailors, parents, and all of us who support the next generation of talent in the America’s Cup and our sport. 

The America’s Cup broadcast and color commentary have allowed millions of sailors and sports enthusiasts worldwide to tune into yachting's most prestigious regatta. One could argue that Gary Jobson's and Peter Montgomery’s voices are as recognizable as the Sailors, and the two have garnered their own fan following. While you may not recognize his voice, Jed Drake is an Emmy-winning producer and power player who helped ESPN revolutionize how to bring all the action onto our screens.   This trio joins Ken Read in Loft 57 during our limited-edition America’s Cup episodes. Having been a sailor during the ESPN days and a commentator for the last three editions of the Cup, Read dives into the evolution of America’s Cup broadcasting, what it was like for the broadcast crew during the Cup “glory days,” how the advances in technology have changed how we at home watch the Cup. With plenty of shared history amongst the group, they also reveal a handful of fun and possibly never-heard-before stories from behind the scenes.   

Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman Nathan Outteridge and Orient Express Racing Team CEO Bruno Dubois join the conversation in this episode of Loft 57. Nathan shares first-hand experience sailing the AC75 – from technical advancements in these foiling monsters to the challenges of getting this machine around the racetrack. Bruno, who has more than a few high-profile wins, including an Ocean Race with Dongfeng, discusses the difficulties of mounting a competitive America's Cup challenge on a limited budget and timeline.  And in a bonus feature, Cup legend and longtime North Sails leader Tom Whidden sits with Ken Read to chat about how this event, the boats, and the sailors have evolved over the last five decades.  

America's Cup Hall of Famers Grant Simmer and Simon Daubney stop by Loft 57 to reflect on the America's Cup and their experience within yachting's most prestigious regatta. Between them, these two have won the Cup nine times. Their insight is second to none, and their unique point of view provides an in-depth look at the evolution of the America's Cup. Host Ken Read recorded Season 2 of Loft 57 on-site at the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain. This season goes behind the scenes with America's Cup personalities past and present. During the conversations, Ken collects first-hand accounts of what it's like inside a Cup team, what it takes to win the Cup, and why North Sails is the sailmaker of choice for every America's Cup defender and challenger since 1980. 

In recent years, offshore sailing has seen a dramatic rise in popularity and awareness. This sector of our sport pushes sailors, their boats, and the equipment to the limits.In this episode of Loft 57, our guests are synonymous with offshore racing. Volvo Ocean Race legend, Bouwe Bekking, and master sailmaker, Nathan Quirk, join us to talk about their personal experiences as well as their unique perspective of sail evolution, specifically with North 3Di. Together, their collective experience includes thousands of offshore racing miles; Bekking onboard as a sailor, and Quirk in the sail repair loft.  

In this episode, we are joined by our friends from NorthActionsports (the brand behind North Kites and North Windsurfing).  Professional kiteboarder Nick Jacobsen, and aero engineers Chris Williams and Steve Calder stop by Loft 57 to talk about the future of their respective sports, and how North is applying aero-engineering and high-performance innovation to their wind-powered sports. Episode 3 is a tack from our normal conversations but we had a blast discussing how North is leading the way in all things wind, and helping professional athletes achieve their wildest dreams. You won't believe what Jacobsen wants to do next!

North Sails boasts a design team with unparalleled breadth and depth resulting in sails that are, naturally, ‘better by design.’ With a team of 60-strong, North Sail designers are innovators and opinion leaders– their collective experience is our competitive advantage. In episode 2, we sit down with two figureheads in this team to better understand how the North Sails designers work together to create the world's best products. From performance racing to performance cruising, the team at North Sais is driven and determined to lead sailing into the future. JB Braun, Director of Design and Engineering at North Sails, is the driving force behind the team. Design teammate Dave Lenz is the  North Sails European Design Manager based at the North Sails loft in Gosport. Together, Braun and Lenz oversee a roster of the industry's most talented and sought-after expertise.