Sailing Tips

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.
29 May 2007
	Swiftsure 2007
	A Class 138 Nautical Miles Rest 103.8 Nautical Miles VICTORIA, British Columbia - The wind gods smiled on the Strait of Juan de Fuca this past weekend, making the 64th running of the Swiftsure International Yacht Race one of the fastest on record. Two hundred and six racing yachts hit the starting line Saturday off Clover Point at Victoria's waterfront. Almost 1,000 spectators were on hand to witness the ideal sailing conditions for the start of one of the West Coast's premiere yacht racing events. Crews from all around the West Coast converged to take part in Swiftsure for a weekend of races and parties, and they weren't disappointed. Principal Race Officer Andrew McBride commented: "Steady westerly breezes contributed to an exciting start, which enabled the lead boats to head toward their rounding marks at a record-setting pace." Taking into account each yacht's time allowance, preliminary results showed Rob Fleming's Coruba, from Seattle, as overall winner of the Swiftsure Lightship Classic, making this Coruba's third overall victory in the past five years-winning in 2003, 2005, and again this year. Coruba NM 68 - 1st in class, 1st Overall Neptune's Car SC 70 - 3rd in class, 3rd Overall Caelestis Wauquiez 49 - 2nd in class, 6th Overall Mystique J-30 - 2nd in class Bluefin Thomas 35 - 3rd in class
28 May 2007
	Sailmakers Required
	Our sail loft situated in Takapuna urgently requires experienced sailmakers to start immediately. If you would like to work in a small team Contact- Sean Lidgard Ph: 09-4891111 Email - sean@lidgardsails.co.nz
09 May 2007
	Friendship 40' - New Boat
	The Latest Friendship 40' from Austral Yachts in Whangarei has hit the water. In a new development Boat 9 has a Inmast furling mainsail with Antal Clew block. She has her standard spectra polyester sails and Challenge spinnakers. Well done to Austal Yachts.
08 May 2007
	Mathias-Brian & Pauline King
	Congratulations to Brian and Pauline King sailing on their Beale 33' "Mathias". Sailing out of the beautiful Bay of Islands Brian and Pauline have not only won the two handed series but finished a very creditable 3rd in their division of the local Wednesday night series. Great sailing roll on the winter series!!!! Congratulations from Lidgard Sails Auckland
29 March 2007
	Race Results
	1st Place Coruba NM68 2nd Overall. (1st for the series) 3rd Place Corvo J-33 (3rd for the series) 2nd Place Gaucho Ross 930 (2nd for the series) 4th Place Rubicon S2 9.1 (1st for the series) 1st Place Time Warp Beneteau 1st (2nd for the series) 1st Place Mystique J-30 (1st in the series) 2nd Place Tryst Aphrodite 101 (2nd in the series)
12 March 2007
	Race Results - Week 10 March
	FROM GARY IN SEATTLE Rob Flemming 1st in P1 Coruba NM68 11th Overall Gilbert/Slattery 3rd in P7 Wild Turkey Olson 30 9th Overall John Cahill 1st in P8 Gaucho Ross 930 John Cahill - Also 3rd Overall. This is the boat that I sailed on this weekend. Called Tactics. 12-20 knots of wind. New 155% Genoa was the key to winning. Mel Marshal 2nd in P9 Rubicon S2 9.1 31st Overall David Maclean 3rd in P10 Mystique J-30 12th Overall AUCKLAND Ponsonby Cruising Club Summer series- L Class Mullet Boats - raced in 10-12 knots of breeze on the Auckland Harbour on Saturday 10th March. 1st - Orion - Martin Robertson 2nd- Martana- Dave Nigh 3rd- Vamoose- Lance Brown 4th - Tyros - Mike Thompson Once again a great result. Next week Saturday 17th March is the big race- Lipton Cup- watch out for these results.
08 March 2007
	Race Results From Auckland & Seattle
	Latest race results from Seattle and Auckland SEATTLE 2nd place in P2 Coruba NM 68 3rd place in P8 Gaucho Ross 930 1st place in P9 Time Warp Beneteau 1st (1st overall also) 2nd place in P9 Rubicon S2 9.1 (2nd overall ) 2nd place in P10 Mystique J-30 The boat Gary Stuntz was on ended up 7th but 2nd out of 5 J-35's. Best finish they have had in a long time. There was not enough wind to put up the #3 but it fits beautifully and looks great. Newest sail that we used was built in 1997. A Mainsail will be now be on order sooner than later. Well done to Gary Stuntz and his team in Seattle with these results. Auckland Local Results ; Last weekend the Devonport Yacht Club based on the North Shore held the Wood Shield regatta. Lidgard Sails were on the podium with their sails on the following boats. 1st - Tyros - (Mike Thompson) 2nd - Orion- (M Robinson) 3rd - Vamoose (L Brown) It was a very close race with the fleet finishing within 400 mtrs of each other. Also 2nd and 3rd in the Davo 28' Nationals
26 January 2007
	Swiftsure 2006
	Michael Pack from Seattle sailing his Wauquiez 49'Caelestis has finished third in his class, and 14th overall in the Swiftsure 2006. Michael said the racing was close, Celeste missed 1st place by 300 yards after a 140 nautical mile race. Well done to Michael and his crew.
23 January 2007
	December 2006 newsletter from Lidgard Sails now available
	Click to read our December 2006 Newsletter (PDF, 496kb)
13 December 2006
	Lidgard Adelaide News
	Adelaide loft continues to get busier every month. We are looking forward to a short well earned break over Christmas. Sails continue to perform on the race course, and we have established an excellent reputation amongst the cruisers. Recently we completed our largest spinnaker to date 205 sq.m mast head symmetric for a local Inglis-Lidgard 50. The customers are ecstatic, winning their first race with it, 230 nm Haystack Island Race. Luke Burrows is tired of being the bridesmaid in the Lincoln Race so he talked his Dad into two new kites for their Cole 35 ESPRIT. A 88sq/m runner 0.5 oz dynalite and 67 sq/m assymetric nylite 90 blue and green, with white square in centre for large Lidgard logo. Photos will be posted on webstite ASAP. We continue to supply sails, cushions and repairs for STV One and All. Today we received an order for fore course. Have already supplied Inner and Outer jibs, fore stay sail and lower topsail. The board are pleased with the products and service (many thanks James Heckler -Sail Designer Auckland). The rest of the sails are are ready for renewal so we expect plenty more work to come. John Hayter is still busy with housing products. His workmanship and ideas on dodgers and biminis is second to none. Our boom covers and stack packs are also very popular, and usually end up with one of our mainsails in them over time. Good luck and Merry Xmas from Luke/John and the team in Adelaide, South Australia
	Pied Piper Racing
	Lidgard Sails is pleased to be partnered with Pied Piper Racing for the Key West race week. Lidgard Sails will be providing a full set of Melges 24 sails to Pied Piper Racing for the event. The goal of the partnership will be to learn as much as possible during high level competition and develop our Grand Prix Melges 24 product. Key West provides the ideal opportunity to showcase the product under a variety of conditions. It is our goal to improve upon the design of the sails incrementally and build a performance gain from attention to detail. Partnering with Pied Piper Racing presents the opportunity to get valuable feedback from the end user of our product, the competitive racing sailor. Working with Pied Piper Racing represents an investment in our customers and our commitment to bringing quality construction and result to our grand prix customers. During Key West Race Week Pied Piper Racing will be providing regular reports about the sailing so please visit our site often to learn more about the success of our Grand Prix racing sails at the most competitive regatta in North America, Key West Race Week. Pied Piper Racing provides a professional level sailing team specializing in branding and marketing clients through the competitive sport of sailing. Pied Piper also provides logistics/project management and coaching. To learn more about Pied Piper Racing please visit their website at www.pied-piper.com for information on our latest Melges designs, or send email to sean@lidgardsails.co.nz
06 December 2006
	Carbon 45f5 Sails
	Andrew Findlay has just received a new set of carbon racing sails for his First 45f5 Impiana. After receiving his sails a couple of days before the Raja Muda cup Andrew finished a very creditable 2nd. Andrew: says - I must compliment you on your sails, we out-pointed everyone with our new genoa, and the main is simply stunning. We got off to a flyer, two bullets from two races, and quite frankly should have cruised home for an overall win. A couple of bad starts later, and a big boat dash to Langkawi made it a tight finish with Australian Maid, and we unfortunately lost out. We hope to have some photos soon of Andrew and the boys on Impiana and will post on the website. Well done to Andrew Findlay and the Crew from all at Lidgard's Mini Transit Sails Doug Christie in Seattle has just finished putting a new set of sails on Craig Horsfields new mini transit. Craig takes up the story - Had a good sail got the boat moving along quite well. Great sails Doug, shape looks much better than the boats I sailed in France this year. Nice to be out on the water.
07 November 2006
	Ocean Bridge - Nautical Shades & Sails
	QUOTE FROM CHARLIE WADE-ALLIANCE CONSTRUCTION Great service, excellent design and finished product - I have a very "satisfied client". We would highly recommend Lidgard Sails to any individual or company wanting to have a textile architectural feature made. -- Charlie Wade Project Manager, Alliance Construction Charlie Wade from Alliance Construction was the project manager on the refurbishment of the foyer, reception and stair well at Ocean Bridge Freight. in Takapuna Auckland. The owner of the Ocean Bridge is a great supporter of all things nautical and sponsors a number of New Zealand's top watersports achievers. Ocean Bridge wanted to have a nautical theme through out their new area with teak deck type flooring, replica shipping containers for the walls and reception area. There is a great stair well that winds around to the third floor that has a balustrade and is open right up to the third floor. Inside design came up with the idea of putting in some tension membranes/sails down the edge of the balustrade to add to the nautical effect and could be quite a feature! Ocean Bridge's owner wanted to take this idea a step further and base the sails on the same design as that of the young sailor's sails he sponsors. Lidgard Sails being well known for their high quality, service and attention to detail were contracted to design a set of sails that fit in with the ideas that the owner and Inside Design had. The sails were made from 3.8oz Dacron race fabric and 1.5oz spinnaker nylon giving the authentical sail look and feel. The finish of the sails were identical to modern race sails and all agree they have added to the theme and with the back lighting have become a real feature of the work that has been done. For information on shade sails, roller blinds tension and architectural membranes contact Sean or Brendon at: Lidgard Sails 64 9 489 1111 Email: sails@lidgardsails.co.nz