The Extreme Testing Ground

05/26/22 • 29 min

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 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.

Previous Episode

Changing Tacks: Talking Kiteboarding & Windsurfing (feat. Nick Jacobsen)

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!

Next Episode

Reflections from America’s Cup Legends Grant Simmer and Simon Daubney

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.