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 is pleased to announce that it has become the official standing rigging supplier for the RC 44 Class.

Future Fibres was initially asked to supply two new boats at the beginning of the 2009 season, however, the results were so good that the decision was made to equip the remaining teams with Future Fibres' PBO rigging. The new relationship means state of the art rigging for all the 23 competing boats, whilst still respecting the necessary constraints of the one-design class.

Designed by Russell Coutts and naval architect Andrej Justin, the RC 44 is a light displacement, high performance, one-design sailing boat, created for top level racing in international regattas. The class set out to, and continues to develop a high level and entertaining racing program, while maintaining the single design aspect of the class.

Future Fibres' Tobias Hochreutener commented on the appointment: "The RC 44 is a great boat and an impressive class, which we are obviously pleased to be associated with.  We have already started building a set of new forestays which will be fitted on all the boats in time for the final Dubai RC 44 Gold Cup regatta in November."

Bertrand Favre of the RC 44 Class Association remarked: "We're delighted to be working with the industry's leading composite rigging supplier. Our decision to work with Future Fibres was based on the company´s levels of service and the quality and consistency of their product which is highly valued by both the teams and the Class Association. Overall it's the right move for a class that continues to grow in popularity and reputation."

The Bank Sarasin RC 44 Portoroz Cup, the fifth regatta of the RC 44 Championship Tour 2009, will take place in Portoroz between September 29th and October 3rd.