ONE DESIGN UPDATE

Greg Fisher reports on recent success and recent evolution in North's One Design operations.

The 1994 year was a tough act to follow. North One Design customers won more World, continental and National championships than ever before in its history. In 1995, however, we're proud to say we've done it! As you can see, the '95 season's results are impressive, but that's not even the whole story

• A stronger team. First, the creation of One-Design International and our merger with Diamond Sailmakers has created an unmatched worldwide design team with combined championship experience in close to 100 one-design classes! .

• Better sails, better prices. We've consolidated production in fewer sites, which improves quality, consistency and efficiency. It also allows our talented sailors more time to focus on providing customers with more personal attention at regattas and in the loft.

• 3DL goes one-design. 3DL, North's molded sail technology that has proven so impressive in big boats, has made a bold splash in one-designs this fall. At the Dupont Sailmaker's Challenge, North's team, skippered by J/24, J/22 and Mumm 36 ace Chris Larson, dominated the event with North's first 3DL polyester Melges 24 mainsail.

• Steaming toward Savannah. North's one-design team has had an equally impressive year with two of its members ranked first in their respective Olvmpic classes by the IYRU. John Merricks, ODI UK, has been untouchable in the 470, winning Miami ORC, Kiel Week and the UK Olympic Trials. Vince Brun is currently ranked first in the Star Class for the US Sailing Team. Vince won the Star PreOlympics and the US J/24 Nationals. Ross MacDonald, of ODI Vancouver, has also helped North focus on the Star Class, winning both the North Americans and the Bacardi Cup. In his first H-Boat regatta at Kiel Week, Ross dominated an impressive fleet.

• A growing commitment. One of the benefits of consolidating production is that North personnel spend less time on the floor and more time with our customers. Some examples...

Despite an active summer campaigning Lightnings on the East Coast, Brian Hayes of NS East still found time to volunteer as a technical advisor at the World Special Olympics Yachting event in New Haven, CT. Bill Draheim of NS ODI Southwest concentrated on teaching. The result? Bill's customers won five national championships, the Silver fleet at the J/22 Worlds and a gold Medal at the Pan Am Games!

I dedicated more time to sailing Scows and sportboats, with some success, but the real highlights of the season were racing with my nine-year-old daughter in two regattas and serving as a technical advisor to the Special Olympics.

All of us know it's this grassroots commitment that keeps North number one in one- design.