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Albacore Focus
Thursday, 1 April 2010
Hyde has been busy over the winter developing sails for the Albacore class, we spoke to Mark Fowler to find out more…
The Albacore class might be nearly 50, but sail technology doesn't stand still and the Hyde Sails team continues to eek out every extra bit of efficiency and performance it can. Charles Devenport has been working closely with the class to develop the sails over the past year.
Mark Fowler's Hyde-powered boat (7143) has been the testing ground for the development of the sails. Mark’s boat was built by Richard Woof in 1981 and professionally rebuilt by Nigel Potter in 1993. In its first season the boat was fourth at the nationals, and in 2009, Mark teamed up with Neville Herbert and won the inlands. 2010 has started well for the duo with a second in the Excel Dinghy pursuit race, but their eyes are firmly set on the worlds in Canada in 2011, where they hope to give the American Barney Harris a run for his money - Harris has won the title three times in succession.
Before then, the class has its nationals at Lyme Regis in July, by which time Mark and Neville will be using another set of the new sails, the third set of development sails. The new sails have been specifically designed to work with a new Fireball Alto section Selden mast.
The Albacore class might be nearly 50, but sail technology doesn't stand still and the Hyde Sails team continues to eek out every extra bit of efficiency and performance it can. Charles Devenport has been working closely with the class to develop the sails over the past year.
Mark Fowler's Hyde-powered boat (7143) has been the testing ground for the development of the sails. Mark’s boat was built by Richard Woof in 1981 and professionally rebuilt by Nigel Potter in 1993. In its first season the boat was fourth at the nationals, and in 2009, Mark teamed up with Neville Herbert and won the inlands. 2010 has started well for the duo with a second in the Excel Dinghy pursuit race, but their eyes are firmly set on the worlds in Canada in 2011, where they hope to give the American Barney Harris a run for his money - Harris has won the title three times in succession.
Before then, the class has its nationals at Lyme Regis in July, by which time Mark and Neville will be using another set of the new sails, the third set of development sails. The new sails have been specifically designed to work with a new Fireball Alto section Selden mast.
posted by Hyde Sails at
06:15
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