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NEWS
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| TEAM BLUR CAPTURES MELGES 24 SOUTHEAST CHAMPIONSHIP & WINS A NEW QUANTUM JIB | |||
Since its formation in Spring 2006, Team Blur has taken the Southeast Circuit by storm. Owned and helmed by energy industry entrepreneur and lifelong sailor Steve Kopf, the team is led by tactician and coach Michael Miller – a ten-year veteran of the U.S. Sailing Team. Sails equal speed, and with the new Quantum jib in their arsenal Team Blur will be even tougher to beat next year. "On behalf of all the southeastern competitors I want to thank Quantum for their continued support of the Melges 24 class and the donation of the jib as the prize for the SE Championship," Kopf said. Quantum’s 2008 Melges 24 main and jib feature a new, clear film, a new fiber layout and an improved lamination process to produce greater durability in the sails. As part of Quantum’s FUSION M line, the concept behind this headsail design is the synthesis of the fiber and film components through a high-tech laminate. Quantum Sail’s Scott Nixon, a well-known Melges 24 competitor and tactician on Quantum Racing, explains the design approach to the headsail, saying, "We redesigned the jib to have better top end speed, without sacrificing acceleration and performance in light to moderate conditions. The sail is a bit flatter than the older design and has a new fiber layout with added support to the leech which will help with shape holding capabilities." The 2008 Melges 24 FUSION M jib was tested at the NE District Championships (Annapolis) and the Atlantic Coast Championship (Jacksonville) with Terry Hutchinson on the helm. Hutchinson remarked, "We are really pleased with the performance over a wide wind range and feel that the new design is faster, yet still easy to keep in the groove. We sailed with this jib in a wide variety of conditions — from 22+ knots in Annapolis to very light winds in Jacksonville — and we are extremely happy with the sail’s ability to change gears easily." Quantum’s approach to the Melges 24 class is just like its approach to all of the other grand-prix classes it works with. "We think the Melges 24 is one of the top one-design keelboat classes in the world, so we think it deserves the very best sails we can offer. This means using our membrane technology and not outdated panel sails like other sailmakers offer the class," says Nixon. Kopf remarked,"The Quantum FUSION M sails have been a big part of our success. In light to medium air we feel that the boat really comes alive and just feels 'brilliant.' In heavy air, we have been using carbon lower battens (available from Quantum), which helps keep the leech working and prevents inversion." The most impressive feature of Quantum’s FUSION M sails is their unique multi-axial stability, which allows them to retain their high performance shapes nearly twice as long as any competing sail, and which makes them significantly easier to trim. These headsails are unquestionably the lightest, lowest stretch one-piece sail membranes built anywhere. Formed is 1996 by a group of experienced sailmakers, the Quantum Sail Design Group is dedicated to producing highly customized solutions for cruising and racing sailors who demand the very best, and who love to sail. It is a place where sailmaking is truly a performing art. |
International Melges 24 Class Association
©2008. U.S. Melges 24 Class Association. All Rights Reserved.
