Having arrived at the Nautic, it's time to take stock of the nautical year. How would you describe 2017 for North Sails?
Greg Evrard: You could call 2017 the year of the big splits! There has been a lot of activity in both ocean racing and yachting. The year started with Thomas Coville's solo round-the-world record and if all goes well will end with François Gabart's. (Editor's note: The skipper of the Macif trimaran had not yet completed his round-the-world race at the time of the interview.) There was also the Vendée Globe and the Volvo Ocean Race. In the meantime, we launched the 3Di Nordac, a material specially designed for cruising sails, a market that North Sails was not very active in.
To give a global vision, North Sails delivers today 33,000 sails in the world every year, including 15,000 one-designs for dinghies and sport keelboats.
What is the trend since the launch of the 3Di Nordac? Are you satisfied and what are your goals for these sails?
Greg Evrard: The launch is very successful. Since the first deliveries in July, more than 1500 sails have been delivered worldwide in the space of 6 months. Next year, the goal is to reach 5000 to 7000 sails worldwide and to exceed 200 in France.
Are you targeting the OE market with the 3Di Nordac?
Greg Evrard: Today North Sails does almost no OEM and this is not our objective. The logic of the Nordac 3Di is not low-cost, but to make the 3Di technology accessible to cruising. It remains custom-made, tested on the boat and designed according to the yachtsman's sailing program. The price constraints of the OEM prevent us from making a product where we are proud to put our logo. There is a brand image that must not be compromised. Nevertheless, we are in contact with more and more yacht builders for discerning amateurs.
What are the upcoming developments for 2018?
Greg Evrard: The implementation of the research and development cell in Vannes with Gautier Sergent is continuing, with the aim of popularizing thick wings and profiles, working on the finishing of sails and connected sails.
On the Nordac side, we are thinking about technical solutions to offer the material on larger P values (luff). It will probably no longer be 100% polyester, but a mix of materials to better manage the elongation of the sail.
More news will probably follow early this year...
