Sailing Tips

31 October 2011
	2011 Coastal classic
	Lidgards Sails Dominate Division 2 and 3 in the 2011 Coastal classic Yacht Race.   For the second successive year an all Lidgard customer has taken 1st place on corrected time in Division 3  in the coastal classic yacht race from Auckland to Russell Wharf.   Congratulations to the team on Caddabarra 6 for a top result and a 3rd online.   In Division 2  Truxton using a brand new Lidgard square top main that was custom built for this years race  lead from start to finish to take the line honours and fourth on handicap  from another fast finishing Lidgard customer on board River Rebel who also claimed  1st place on Corrected time.   Strong south westerly winds were ideal for the 121mile race giving the fleet a spinnaker start to Tiri Tiri passage followed by 70miles of 2 sail reaching  through Bream Bay to Cape Brett.   A 90 degree corner at Cape Brett meant a 20mile beat into Russell   for most of the fleet as the wind slowly eased with most boats changing to number 1 genoas to get them to the finish in the dying breeze.
25 October 2011
	Lidgard Sails Returns to Anacortes as a Full Service and Repair Loft
	Gray Hawken has returned to sailmaking in the Northwest, opening a new loft in Anacortes. This time Gray’s business partner is his daughter Kate, who worked as a sailmaker with Gray for several years. Gray has a long history with Lidgard Sails. In April 1984 he and his wife Carolyn, along with Doug Christie, opened the first Lidgard Sails loft in Seattle. Over the next twenty-three years, the three operated two lofts, the original in Seattle and a second in Anacortes. In 2006 Gray sold both lofts and entered into a brief retirement while Doug entered into a new business venture. Gray and Kate are excited about returning to sailmaking and providing service to old and new customers alike. Lidgard Sails Anacortes is open for business. Call Gray at 360-421-1153 Call Kate at 360-303-2696. Fax 360-588-8561. Email: lidsaila@gmail.com
01 June 2011
	Auckland to Tauranga yacht race report 2011
	From Grant Ewing on the Lambert 35 foot "River Rebel" After a very busy couple of weeks preparation, new bowsprit, mast head asymmetrical and fractional asymmetrical, finally bobbing up and down on the start line was a relief! A great fleet had assembled and with blue skies above and a great weekend to look forward too there was a tinge of expectation on board, unfortunately the wind was not playing ball with a very brisk 0-1kt with the occasional 3kt gusterly from the north whipping past. Our helmsman showed some pre-start prowess to get us in good position for what turned out a corker start. From there things went decidedly pear shaped! Our tactical navi guessing was well off the pace for all the good intense and purposes as everywhere we went the wind did not follow. 1.5hrs later we finally reached the ferry terminal in reasonable shape, mainly due to our new square top main and light #1 keeping us in touch and of course a stiff 3 knots of tide going out the channel. The fleet slowly crept through Motuhi Channel looking for any sniff of a breeze, but mainly relying on the tide to pull everyone through. Out into the channel the weather outlook didn't look like things where going to improve in any hurry. As evening set in and still 15 miles south of channel island watching our track on GPS was the only entertaining thing happening on board. We improved with any slight gust of breeze only to be negated once lost and the incoming tide returning us to square one! Finally!!!! the breeze arrived and as the wind swung toward the beam our new pride and joy the masthead genny was set to great fan fair quickly pulling us away from the majority of the fleet. Off Cape Colville the breeze swung forward again and we had to peel to our Lidgard Heavy #1. Hard on the breeze we were doing great numbers till we reached the Mercury Islands with yet another light patch ahead, and just our luck we sailed right into the middle of it! Once clear of the Merc's the breeze picked up and steadied, we were averaging 6-7 knots in slight seas, as we progressed down the coast the breeze swung aft again and we peeled to the masthead genny and then to the new fractional Symmetrical as the breeze swung further aft. To weather and aft of River Rebel we had a couple of competitors bringing down some good breeze which we picked up when they came abeam, at the same time the breeze went forward for yet another sail change back to the big genny and we were off, at this stage we were approximately 10 miles off the finish, over which we were able to distance our selves by about half an hour from the two boats that brought the breeze down with them. Once past Kawerau Island we hoisted the light #1 through to the finish. Altho a long slow race the different breezes gave us the opportunity to try out all our new gear which proved very successful as without the gear we would have been a long way back in the fleet. River Rebel finished up 2nd on PHRF and we will certainly be back next year. Congratulations to all who took part look forward to next year.
25 March 2011
	Orion II Wins 90th Lipton Cup.
	Orion II won the 90th Lipton Cup on Saturday 19 March in trying conditions. This year's win gives Martin Robertson and crew a hat trick of wins and boosts the boat overall Lipton victories to 6 Lipton wins since the boat hit the water in the late 70s. Orion did not have it all their own way, with spirited challenges from Tamatea, Valeria, Snatcher and Scullet all finishing in that order. Tamatea's result was especially pleasing after Rob and the crew had put her back together weeks before the race sailing only a handful off times. Tamatea led from the start around the first two windward leewards before a costly error allowed Orion to sneak through, just after the bottom mark the second time. On reaching the top mark for the third time, Orion still held onto first spot heading out the harbour to round Resolution, then Narrow Neck to Northern Leading and up the Auckland Harbour for a short windward leeward to the finish. The race at the last windward mark was heating up as three boats were vying for the second spot with Tamatea, Valeria and Snatcher changing position before the finish. Tamatea held firm and was rewarded for her effort with the Overseas Cup for second. 14 boats celebrated the 90th Lipton cup in 10-15 knot shifting conditions, Auckland put on a beautiful day for sailors and spectators alike.
22 February 2011
	Michael Pack is the New Lidgard Sails Agent in Seattle
	Michael Pack has taken over as the New Lidgard Sails Agent in Seattle. Michael comes to us with 45 years of sailing experience starting off in the Penguin Class at the early age of 5 years old. Michael has a wealth of sailing experience growing up on the Great Lakes and more recently in the Puget Sound. Michael's experience extends to both racing and cruising sailing, with his latest yacht the Waquers 50 foot "Caelestis". Michael comes from a strong customer service back ground and fits well with the Lidgard Sails philosophy of Customer, quality and performance first. Michael takes over from the great work that Doug Christie started in the Seattle area, and will work closely with Lidgard New Zealand to provide a high quality seamless service. For further information Please contact Michael on Ph 206 331 0386, Fx 206 232 8099, or by email to mjpack1@gmail.com
06 September 2010
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01 March 2010
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	February 2010
02 September 2009
	New Sails for our New Agent in Israel
	Nadav Wirtheim Lidgard sailmakers new agent in Israel has sail tested his first set of new Lidgard Cruising sails, the yacht a Lidgard 48' is now sporting a new set of Carbon Kevlar "XCELL" membrane sails built in New Zealand. The new mainsail and genoa were first sea trialled off the coast of Cyprus with Nadav reporting the fit is great and it made the boat fly like a plane!!!!! Nadav is currently involved with the local yacht club where the top Israeli optimist sailor is sea trialling our latest optimist designs. Nadav also has on order a Beneteau 217 drifter being built from Dimension CZ. Nadav started sailing when he was 1.5 years old in the Mediterranean Sea, since then he has sailed on numerous cruising yacht racing yachts as well as serving in the navy. To contact: Nadav Wirtheim Mobile 00972544363229 E-mail rubplast@netvision.net.il
01 September 2009
	Whitby Island Race Week 2009 Oak Harbour
	Lidgards have had continued success in the latest Whitby Island race week held off Oak Harbour in Washington's Puget Sound. Congratulations to: Charlie Macauley 1 tonner "Absolute" 1st Fleet 2 Jeff Whitney C&C 115 " Elusive" 5th Fleet 2 Gary Morgan Tripp 37' "What a Tripp" 1st Fleet 3 Tom Kerr J-33 "Corvo" 3rd Fleet 3 Mike Mechaelis Rocket 22' "South Lake Union Trolley" 3rd Fleet 6 Mel Marshel S2 9.1 "Rubicon" 3rd Fleet 7 For further information go to: www.whidbeyislandraceweek.com
27 March 2009
	SAILS PARTNERSHIP LAUNCHED
	Lidgard Sails Auckland, New Zealand is pleased to announce their partnership with North Atlantic Sails, Newport, Rhode Island, USA. North Atlantic Sails builds sails that address the specific needs of yacht owners by offering cutting edge technology with outstanding personal service. Lidgard Sails, a pioneer in modern sail design, construction technique and materials has experience with the America’s Cup, super yachts and ocean racers. North Atlantic Sails and Lidgard Sails believe that taking care of their customers is paramount. The North Atlantic-Lidgard partnership will merge world class sail design and construction with exceptional worldwide service. Shared sales, service and warranty support in North America, the Caribbean, Europe and the South Pacific will give owners “do it once, do it right” service seamlessly, whenever and wherever they need it. Shared manufacturing capacity in both the northern and southern hemispheres, year round, will allow the North Atlantic-Lidgard team the ability to provide the best delivery times in the industry. For further information, visit the partnership web sites: www.northatlanticsails.com or explore Lidgard Sails web site.
20 March 2009
	ORION II Wins Lipton Cup!
	Congratulations to Martin Robertson and crew on Orion II in beating a strong fleet to win the 82nd Lipton Cup, 2nd on Line and going for his 5th straight win was Jim Mackay sailing "Tamarau". Tamarau and Orion II battled it out at the front of the fleet for most of the race in 18kt easterly winds out on the Waitemata harbour last weekend. It was only over the last down wind leg that Orion II was able to break the shackles and pull away from the win. Lidgard Sails had sails on the 1st,2nd and 3rd boats in the fleet.
27 November 2008
	Japan National Champs
	Lidgard Sails had wins in both the X35OD and the Dragon Japan National Champs held earlier this month. Both crews put in extensive training leading into their respective events, with both boats working with Lidgards on rig and sail tune. The X35OD used our new Fibreline product.
26 October 2008
	Shenandoah Visit
	Shenandoah, the beautifully restored 165’ schooner, is back in New Zealand waters for a 6 week stint in Orams yard, the crew and team at Orams are completeing some maintenance jobs before the superyacht heads on her next trip in November. Shenandoah will be back in Auckland next year for an extensive refit. Lidgards are completing some service work on her heavy airs sails and are also building a new 300sq m fore golly wobbler.
18 June 2008
	Swiftsure success (again) with Lidgard sails
	Sean, I want to thank you and your staff for building such a fine product. This year’s race started out with very light air, and often our boat speed was 0.8 knts. With a heavy boat, this was not something we enjoyed. The wind came up in the early evening hours as we neared the mark. We jibed back out and headed on a rhumbline course toward the Canadian side, and the finish line. The wind continued to build and we saw 25-30 knots all the way down the shore. The big code 6 spinnaker you built out of airex really did the job! We beat both J boats in our class straight up (one ran aground, and the other owed me 30 seconds per mile). I guess their North product was not faster like their ad says! Michael J. Pack
25 March 2008
	Lipton Cup 2008
	Congratulations to "Tamarau" for winning the Lipton cup challenge on the 15th of March. Tamarau sailed another superb race over the 22 nautical miles to make it 4 races on the trot. The race was sailed in a mix of light to very light breezes with the wind swinging from a southerly direction right round to the north and back again, during the race all the boats were becalmed at least a couple of times each at various stages during the day. The lead changed numerous times with three - four boats enjoying the top position. As they say, the cream always rises to the top. The first three places went to Tamarau 1st Snatcher 2nd Orion II 3rd Snatcher was also 1st on handicap
25 October 2007
	Racing News From New Caledonia/Turkey
	Some racing news from New Caledonia: The last long race was won by Allan Quere's boat on the line, and corrected times went to Exocet a 30 year old boat. Both boats carried New Lidgard racing Kits. The race was a 110 miles with a finishing line off Ouvea Island. Hi Sean We just got back in to port after a couple of months looking around. Two days after getting the sails we got stonkered by some 50 knot stuff and had to beat off a lee shore with the storm sail and triple reef in. The sails were perfect and and I dear say that they have already paid for themselves so we are stoked. A few other people have noticed them and we have been recommending Lidgard Sails to other sailors. Thanks again,it was a pleasure dealing with someone who knows what's going on,especially when you are from the other side of the world. Clint and Jacinda News From Turkey Miharbi's X-46 "Jarramas" has started racing, she is a brand new boat with a full Carbon racing set of sails. This last weekend, there was an offshore race and Jarramas finished first on line in their class and a creditable 4th on handicap. Well done, once these guys have a handle on the boat and get it fully tuned they will be very hard to stop. Nai'a Cruises Ltd - Premier Pacific Diving Expeditions have just received a new Yankee for their flag ship the SY Nai'a 116'. Nai'a has been using Lidgard Sails now for 14 years and is upgrading their Sail inventory. Nai'a completes extensive ocean passages to Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and New Caledonia all under sail. Attached photo is of SY Nai'a
20 August 2007
	Lidgard Success at East Aegean Race Week
	The East Aegean race week is the biggest race week held by the Turkish Offshore Racing Club. Boats entering from all over Turkey are treated to some spectacular weather and tight sailing in some very competitive classes, and this year's regatta was no different. The regatta is held over four races with three round the buoys and one 100 miler making up the series in light to moderate winds. The A fleet was made up of a number of Farr 40's, Mumm's, X Yachts, One tonners and IMX yachts. Turkish yacht "UNO" (Ex Orient Express III" a Ed Dubois Custom 38ft 1 tonner received two new headsails and a symmetrical spinnaker from Lidgard Sails in Auckland before the first race. Alkim Gulcan - Owners Rep, Ex North Sails designer says: "Never having used Lidgard Sails before we were a bit apprehensive about getting sails designed and built so far away by a company we new little about, we did know that they had a good reputation for quality and design and thought it worth a crack." "Right from the word go they were great to deal with, listening to our sail concerns helping us out with boat set up and recommendations on fabrics and design ideas." "The sails arrived on time and out of the box they looked great, the quality of workmanship was first class. However good sails don't only have to look good, they need to perform to the standard we expected." "I must say Lidgards did not disappoint on that front either with the sails being fast out of the box and they fit with no fuss!!" "UNO" is generally a good all round boat but we do struggle in the medium conditions especially against the class and superior speed of the Farr 40's. The first two races went as we expected with the new sails performing well, we had better speed and height than we have had previous." "Race three was where we were able to step up to a level not seen before with a gun!!! I have to underline the fact that the only bullet we had was with the new medium genoa from Lidgard Sails." "Before that, we couldn't win any race with more than 14-15 kts of wind. That day, the average was 16kts and we rounded the first top mark in front of the Farr 40's !!! The crew and the owner were very happy." "The long race was held in very light and fluky conditions with the lead changing through out the race, with two miles to go most boats struggled to finish." "Overall series results UNO finished a very creditable 4th." "Thanks to Sean and the team for the great sails and helping us to a result we can all be proud of." Regards --Alkim Gulcan.
10 July 2007
	Fontaine Launches Lastest Yacht
	Fontaine 40' Sea Trials have been very successful. Fontaine Yachts have launched their latest Friendship 40' "SY Cary Ali" in Whangarei. Sail Designer James Heckler was on board for the launching. We had a beautiful sailing breeze of around 8 knots to test her Gennaker, Mainsail and Genoa. The sea trials went very well with all onboard impressed with the way the boat handled under the conditions in all points of sail. Well done to everyone.
08 June 2007
	Race Report: Michael Pack : Satisfied Customer
	Michael Pack's latest report to Sean Lidgard Hi Sean I raced the Cape Flattery Race in Swiftsure this year. I finished 6th out of 79 boats. The conditions were perfect! 15-20 knots on the #3 most of the way out to the mark. For a short while we went to the #1 near the American shore. Then the wind went from 8 to 25 in about 3 seconds. Switched back to the #3, rounded the mark, up goes the kite, and we are off and running! The wind built to steady low 20’s with sustained gusts to 30. We decided to drop the kite (fear of a broach, rather than fear of destroying the kite), and pole out the #3, which carried us all the way to the finish. We knew the kite would give more speed, but we were at 9-11 knots (past theoretical hull speed of 8.5) and a bad jibe or broach would ruin everything we fought for all day long. On the delivery home we hit a new record 12.4 knots with #4 and full carbon main broad reaching. It was a great race, and the Lidgard sails delivered! Michael Pack is the Owner and skipper of CAELESTIS, a Wauquiez 49' sailing out of Seattle, Micheal has a set of Carbon scrim race sails and Airex Kites.
30 May 2007
	Race Results-Panmure Yacht Club
	Race 1 of the Panmure Yacht Club winter series was held in a 10 knot South Easterley breeze The course was inner harbour. 1st Etchell "Sally" 2nd D28 "No Response" 3rd Y88 "Rush" 4th Elliot 8.1 "Bouy" Racer Race 2 was held in 15-20 knot Northerly. The course was also inner harbour, 1st Y88 "Rush" 2nd "Salty" 3rd"River Rebel" 4th E 8.1 "Buoy Racer" E 5.9 "Elligater" Picture: shows "No Response" Davo 28' on her way to getting second in the first race on day. one of racing.