X-Yachts Gold Cup class winner 'Hansen' shows Future Fibres PBO is the number one choice for serious racing boats, regardless of size.The X-37, owned by Jan Kildegaard Hansen, achieved two wins and six podium finishes to clinch the Sport Class B overall title at last month's Gold Cup. This caps off an impressive few months for the Dane who, since having a complete set of Future Fibres PBO installed, has finished first in group at The Fyn Cup and Fyn Rundt and come a close second in the highly competitive Kiel Week.

"No other X-37 had the speed to keep up with us in these conditions, it made a real difference. There was much less sag in the forestay and no pumping in the middle of the mast when the boat is moving in the waves. That made a big difference. After three wins, we are looking forward to another race to further show what we can do!" Commented Jan Kildeggard, owner of X-37 Hansen.

The smallest yacht to have specified Future Fibres PBO so far, Hansen is one of a growing number of one design racing yacht owners specifying and refitting PBO composite rigging to give them the competitive advantage.

Friend of the owner and designer for North Sails Denmark, Sofus Pedersen was onboard for the X-Yacht Gold Cup victory and commented on the boat's performance: "It's a pleasure to tune a carbon rig with Future Fibres stays. We used to have the standard aluminium mast and on that we had a range of 10 turns on the Vs from light to heavy trim. On the new rig we have 1 to 1.5 turns on the Vs! You can clearly feel changes on the boat and rig when you tune it and it made a big difference on Saturday when the wind was 20-25 knots."

Future Fibres PBO has a long and illustrious history of providing PBO rigging to the grand prix race market and it is clear that smaller boats are now becoming eager to share the technology utilised by their larger cousins. Ten years' of development has gone into making Future Fibres PBO the lightest, strongest and most aerodynamic composite rigging available and the company's Germanischer Lloyd approval demonstrates its commitment to reliability and longevity – a key factor for any owner racer.

As on-the-water test results start to come in, Future Fibres´ Germanischer Lloyd approved TSC solid carbon product is exceeding early expectations.

After two years of development, Future Fibres TSC31 offers, for the first time, a weight and diameter advantage, over our own performance PBO product. Over the last six months we have been involved in development programmes with Open 60´s and Volvo 70´s going head to head with the best new products from competitive composite rigging suppliers. And the feedback has been excellent!

Facts:

• for a given stiffness, Future Fibres TSC31 is the smallest diameter product on the market;
• 19% (approx 3mm) smaller than EC6;
• 8% (approx 1mm) smaller than the closet (serious!) solid carbon competitor;
• for a given stiffness, Future Fibres TSC31 is the lightest product on the market;
• 10% lighter than EC6;

Being a solid carbon rod, TSC31 is unsuitable for long cables based on impracticalities of transport and storage (unless you can afford to helicopter them everywhere!) however, it is perfect for a discontinuous lateral (V´s/D´s) set up. With a large existing PBO fleet many Future Fibres clients are considering an upgrade to TSC31 as their diagonals come up for replacement. With a simple swap out into the existing spreader configuration this offers the opportunity to gain a significant performance advantage with limited additional cost.

The Farr 100 super maxi, Leopard 3, has been keen to take up the performance benefit of this new technology. They will be replacing their diagonals with TSC this autumn whilst continuing to sail with their PBO verticals. When their verticals fall due for replacement, which is anticipated to be later next year due to their extremely busy sailing programme, they will upgrade the verticals to TSC31 for the optimum low frontal area lateral rigging solution.

FUTURE FIBRES BECOMES THE FIRST RIGGING PROVIDER TO ACHIEVE GL APPROVAL FOR BOTH CARBON AND PBO RIGGING SYSTEMS

Valencia based Future Fibres has achieved the prestigious 'Germanischer Lloyd (GL) Type Approval' for a new carbon rigging product – a key objective in the company's goal to offer the right composite fibre for the right application.

The new product, which is still in the development process, has been a highly guarded secret until now, sparking rumours as to what the Future Fibres team have been working on. Today's announcement demonstrates the market leader's continued focus on R&D, in what is fast becoming a highly competitive industry.
Germanischer Lloyd (GL) is recognised by the marine industry as the leading authority in its field. For more than 140 years, GL has been offering its marking services to the shipping industry and setting standards in technology, safety and quality.
Tom Hutchinson, Future Fibres' founder remarks: "This is an important milestone in an ongoing development process for us. We now have a carbon product which already outperforms the competition, but we are looking for a lot more before we come to market. With the most detailed understanding across multiple fibres and technologies we are in a unique position to offer an unbiased opinion on the most suitable composite for a given project and our aim is to lead the way into the next generation of composite rigging, just as we did ten years ago."
Future Fibres carbon forms part of a major four year R&D initiative. The overall objective of the programme is to create the ideal product for every application, regardless of material or construction method. Humphrey Bunyan, Future Fibres' Head of R&D explains: "For us, carbon is definitely not the only solution. We will be looking to carbon to complement our existing cable range, not replace it. We want our clients to know that they are getting the optimum system, using the right materials for each cable type and constructed to the highest, certified standards.
In the coming months, the company is also preparing to reveal some significant advances to its range of PBO products. After studying the super fibre on a microscopic level, with the help of a Madrid-based materials institute, Future Fibres has identified areas where significant performance gains can be made.  On-the-water testing is currently in progress and the company expects to launch a new product at METS in November.
Regarding their latest certificate, Hasso Hoffmeister, GL´s expert for structural analysis of yachts and rigs, comments: "Future Fibres was the first manufacturer to attain 'Type Approval' in 2007. Achieving the certification according to our Guidelines for the Type Approval of Carbon Strand and PBO Cable Rigging for Sailing Yachts demonstrates Future Fibres' commitment to quality and safety. It is therefore with great pleasure that I'm able to confirm Future Fibres has now become the first manufacturer to accomplish Type Approval for carbon as well as its PBO rigging system.

The long process to achieve certification requires systematic proof of all quality measures and Future Fibres' carbon rigging product has successfully passed the challenging testing regime, including impact, chafing and fatigue tests."
Tom concludes: "The team pulled out all the stops to get us to this position – It's simply a fantastic achievement. I'm extremely proud of everyone who's involved and delighted we're the first to achieve this award for both PBO and carbon.

Having started ten years ago with a single back stay aboard Lawrie Smith's Whitbread Race entry, Silk Cut, Future Fibres has grown at an incredible rate to become the market leader it is today - this week announcing it is to supply a full set of PBO composite rigging to Baltic Yachts' new 197ft super ketch 'Panamax'.

Today the company has over 175 rigs currently in service and has achieved numerous firsts for the industry, including being the only rigging manufacturer to have been awarded Germanischer Lloyd Type Approval.

Tom Hutchinson comments: 'Future Fibres has enjoyed remarkable success over the last ten years and it's great that we can mark the occasion with such a prestigious order. We have been involved in more than thirty circumnavigations, as well as countless record attempts and race wins, but we are even more excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. The market is developing at a tremendous rate, and we're very proud of the contribution we've already made to its growth. I think we all expect there to be some big changes in the future, but I'm confident we'll continue to lead the way.

Tom continued: "We mustn't forget that this is also PBO's tenth birthday. Without the product we certainly wouldn't be where we are today, but development never stops. We currently have a number of very promising new products entering the final stages of development, it's a very busy time for us."

Future Fibres also recently celebrated its 25th superyacht order. As part of its ongoing commitment to the superyacht industry, June will see the team attend the first 'Rolex Boat International Regatta', where it will sponsor the exclusive Dubois beach party, being held at the Romazzino Hotel, Porto Cervo. The company will also be present at 'The Superyacht Cup Palma', where a new trophy, designed by Future Fibres, will be presented to the winner of the IRC racing class

Future Fibres has achieved Germanischer Lloyd Type Approval for its superyacht range of PBO rigging cables and is, to date, the only composite rigging company to have Classification Society approval. 

Cuordileone - Port shroud base

For 140 years Germanischer Lloyd (GL) has been offering its services to the shipping industry and setting standards in technology, safety and quality. GL is recognised by the superyacht industry as a leading authority in its field, and its endorsement of Future Fibres' products comes at a time when superyacht owners and project managers are rapidly recognising the benefits of lightweight PBO rigging.

"GL approval of our superyacht systems will reassure skippers of our build quality and the thoroughness of our procedures", says Future Fibres CEO Tom Hutchinson. "It will also add value to the selling proposition of owners and operators in the charter and cruising businesses, where it improves insurance options and demonstrates a responsible attitude to the safety of crew and guests aboard".

Although achieving GL Type Approval involves exhaustive and lengthy testing procedures, Future Fibres' processes already included advanced quality assurance systems through a decade of supplying rigging to grand prix racing syndicates (including Volvo and America's Cup) and specialist safety tethers to the Formula 1 GP circuit.

Hasso Hoffmeister of Germanischer Lloyd states:

"Future Fibres have achieved the first "Type Approval" issued by Germanischer Lloyd for Fibre Cable Rigging of Sailing Yachts. The yachting industry had asked for a technical benchmark more than two years ago. Since then, Germanischer Lloyd has developed an industry standard for "fit for purpose" fibre cable rigging. Manufacturers can prove that their product is an appropriate piece of equipment for staying masts on Super Yachts.

After a long process providing proof of quality measures and after having successfully passed a challenging test triathlon, we are happy to confirm that Future Fibres products deserve carrying the GLY symbol."

Independent ISO laboratory tests for ultimate strength, fatigue strength, resistance to chafe and resistance to impact were performed on a number of different size cables. Production methods, storage & traceability of materials and installation & usage manuals were all scrutinised to ensure the end user has the knowledge to maintain the products within the approval rating. In practice this will involve regular visual inspections of the rigging by crew backed up by factory checks at service intervals, made easier by the fact that PBO cables are easily transported, coiled up as lightweight packages.

Recent superyachts to specify Future Fibres PBO rigging include Sojana, Hamilton II, Leopard III, a range of Wally yachts and a new build at Royal Huisman Shipyard, designed by Dubois Naval Architects.

DOUBLE TURNOVER, BIGGER AND SMALLER BOATS, FASTER PACE, MORE PEOPLE, NEW PRODUCTION LINE, RECORDS BROKEN, CLASSIFICATION APPROVAL… WORTHY OF AN AWARD!

Future Fibres has always been the forward-looking specialist rigging company – predicting and driving demand in a competitive market for lightweight PBO rigging. While planning for 2008 and beyond, a quick reflection of Future Fibres' achievements in 2007 shows success at all levels...

The superyacht industry has embraced the use of PBO rigging, a panel of superyacht owners and experts voting Future Fibres winner at the World Superyacht Awards in Venice in April. Six weeks later Germanischer Lloyd awarded classification society approval to Future Fibres' PBO cables after extensive testing and scrutiny of production processes and documentation. Absolute confidence in the product's safety and performance has led to superyacht owners, designers and project managers specifying Future Fibres for new build and retrofit projects. Fast superyachts Sojana and Hamilton II have both reported dramatic improvements in performance since opting to retrofit PBO rigging earlier this year.

Racing monohulls whose owners selected PBO rigging, after comparing it with continuous carbon, include Morning Glory, the Reichel Pugh Z86 and Leopard 3, the supermaxi destined for the charter market after an intensive 18-month race programme. Future Fibres has also made a big impact on the Open 60 class this year. This exciting fleet is growing rapidly in preparation for next year's Vendée Globe, starting November 2008. Six of the nine entrants starting in the Barcelona race this month are carrying full sets of PBO rigging, as are over 50% of the potential Transat Jaques Vabre and Vendée fleets

Multihulls Sodebo and Groupama 3 have been working with Future Fibres on an extensive R&D programme throughout the year, smashing several records along the way...

Wally, another brand synonymous with leading edge thinking and style, has Future Fibres PBO rigging on Y3K – its latest 'reference point' technologically advanced racing boat, as well as the Wally 148, Saudade, a Wally 130 (in production) and a recent order for a Wally 101.

Clean design is evident in every item emerging from Future Fibres' facilities, the continuously wound concept pioneered by Future Fibres being the neatest and best looking system on the market. And now, for those who like an even more minimal design on deck, an 'under-deck turnbuckle' has been developed and patented, reducing drag and windage while also lowering the centre of gravity

Production and semi-production boat builders continue to recommend Future Fibres PBO, as they aim to differentiate their product with a performance edge. From Dehler 44's to Shipmans (80, 72 and 63s) and a number of Southern Wind 100s, this is an exciting development as this high tech product receives general market acceptance, a lot sooner than anyone could have imagined

Teamwork is at the heart of Future Fibres and its core team has seen the benefits of keeping the pace fast, meetings short, and making every project an opportunity to improve a boat's performance and make a client happy. Now with over 50 full-time staff, Future Fibres is currently recruiting further technical sales staff, project managers, engineers and service personnel whilst expanding its production and test facilities at its 5,000m² factory in Valencia, in order to fulfil its growing 2008/09 order book.

The Future Fibres team was in force in Palma for the Dubois Cup and The Superyacht Cup in June, both on the water and ashore, offering superyacht owners advice on upgrading their standing rigging to PBO. Sample presentation boxes containing short lengths of stainless steel rod rigging and PBO rigging proved an effective way to demonstrate the weight savings gained with PBO – and the Future Fibres sales force were almost redundant as one influential owner came back for more samples to convince to his fellow superyacht owner friends to make the switch...

Future Fibres CEO Tom Hutchinson who was racing aboard the Dubois-designed Midnight, winner of the Dubois Cup, says "We congratulate the organisers and competitors of both events and are proud to have been sponsors of The Superyacht Cup and have committed to the event for three years. We had a lot of interest in our rigging, the superyacht industry is clearly convinced as to the benefits of PBO – especially since Future Fibres PBO cables have now received Germanischer Lloyd approval".

An impressive 15% of the yachts racing were already rigged with Future Fibres PBO, however a fair number remain ripe for conversion as their rods become due for renewal. Jerry Turner, senior naval architect at Dubois Naval Architects (probably the most prolific and respected designers of performance superyachts) commented that, after a few years of close observation of PBO's performance, "...in general of course it is the way ahead just as carbon rigs have become the norm and there will be a rapid take up of PBO. In 10 years time we will be wondering why we were sailing with the equivalent of propeller shafts up our masts!"

Future Fibres has always been the forward-looking specialist rigging company – predicting and driving demand in a competitive market for lightweight PBO rigging. While planning for 2008 and beyond, a quick reflection of Future Fibres' achievements in 2007 shows success at all levels...

The superyacht industry has embraced the use of PBO rigging, a panel of superyacht owners and experts voting Future Fibres winner at the World Superyacht Awards in Venice in April. Six weeks later Germanischer Lloyd awarded classification society approval to Future Fibres' PBO cables after extensive testing and scrutiny of production processes and documentation. Absolute confidence in the product's safety and performance has led to superyacht owners, designers and project managers specifying Future Fibres for new build and retrofit projects. Fast superyachts Sojana and Hamilton II have both reported dramatic improvements in performance since opting to retrofit PBO rigging earlier this year.

Racing monohulls whose owners selected PBO rigging, after comparing it with continuous carbon, include Morning Glory, the Reichel Pugh Z86 and Leopard 3, the supermaxi destined for the charter market after an intensive 18-month race programme. Future Fibres has also made a big impact on the Open 60 class this year. This exciting fleet is growing rapidly in preparation for next year's Vendée Globe, starting November 2008. Six of the nine entrants starting in the Barcelona race this month are carrying full sets of PBO rigging, as are over 50% of the potential Transat Jaques Vabre and Vendée fleets

Multihulls Sodebo and Groupama 3 have been working with Future Fibres on an extensive R&D programme throughout the year, smashing several records along the way...

Wally, another brand synonymous with leading edge thinking and style, has Future Fibres PBO rigging on Y3K – its latest 'reference point' technologically advanced racing boat, as well as the Wally 148, Saudade, a Wally 130 (in production) and a recent order for a Wally 101.

Clean design is evident in every item emerging from Future Fibres' facilities, the continuously wound concept pioneered by Future Fibres being the neatest and best looking system on the market. And now, for those who like an even more minimal design on deck, an 'under-deck turnbuckle' has been developed and patented, reducing drag and windage while also lowering the centre of gravity

Production and semi-production boat builders continue to recommend Future Fibres PBO, as they aim to differentiate their product with a performance edge. From Dehler 44's to Shipmans (80, 72 and 63s) and a number of Southern Wind 100s, this is an exciting development as this high tech product receives general market acceptance, a lot sooner than anyone could have imagined

Teamwork is at the heart of Future Fibres and its core team has seen the benefits of keeping the pace fast, meetings short, and making every project an opportunity to improve a boat's performance and make a client happy. Now with over 50 full-time staff, Future Fibres is currently recruiting further technical sales staff, project managers, engineers and service personnel whilst expanding its production and test facilities at its 5,000m² factory in Valencia, in order to fulfil its growing 2008/09 order book.

At the May 2010 meeting of the IRC Technical committee it was noted that “the technology of composite standing rigging has matured significantly in recent years to the extent that it is now becoming close to mainstream...There is now evidence that composite standing rigging has a life expectancy at least that of steel rod rigging.”