The Performance Resource Group

We take great pride in the talent we are able to attract to North at all levels. We share the same passion for the sport that our clients do, and it is our innate desire to excel that has made North the world leader in sailmaking. North's leadership hinges on more than sailing talent, however. Sailmaking is, after all, a science as well as an art, and it is through copious amounts of research and development that we have pioneered breakthroughs such as computer sail design, laminated sailcloth, radial panel construction and revolutionary 3DL molded sail technology.

In 1994, North formed the Performance Resource Group, a network of North's best and brightest designers, computer programmers and sailmakers, to further improve our ability to develop better sails faster. The goal was to focus rapid development on specific projects and areas of the sport. The results have been dramatic:

• rapid development of our second generation Grand Prix 3DL sails

• introduction of Regatta 3DL, Polyester 3DL and Ocean Race 3DL.

• domination of America's Cup, including all­North inventories on both Cup finalists.

• advancement in Asymmetric spinnaker design for racing and cruising accelerated sail development and tuning guide programs for emerging Melges 30, Mumm 36, Mumm 30 and One­Design 48 classes resulting in unprecedented "turn­key speed" for our clients.

This R&D commitment is unique within sailmaking, and allows North to develop faster, lighter, longer lasting, easier­to­trim sails more efficiently for today's sailors.