Welcome to the December issue of At The Front, a monthly digest of top news and stories from the world of Harken.
Contents:
- Opening Thoughts by Gail Rice, Manager International Distributor Sales
- Recap of the 25th Anniversary Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship
- François Gabart Half-way to New Single-handed Circumnavigation Record
- Harken Tech Team Asked & Answered: Winch Handle Lock Repair
- Tour the Volvo Ocean Race Boatyard with Neil Cox
- Reeving a 6:1 Mainsheet Article
Gail Rice’s Perspective on November
November is a unique month for us at Harken. For me, in my International sales job, it’s all about the Marine Equipment Trade Show (known to many in our industry as METS). It’s our industry’s largest trade show, and is held each year in Amsterdam. Note: it’s a trade, trade show, so while it’s all about boats and hardware, there are few if any boats on display. This is a show where boatbuilders, designers, and project managers come to source teak and carbon…and blocks and furlers, and we hope lots of winches. The show serves as an important platform for us to meet with many of our distributors from around the world. We take this opportunity to host new product sessions, share a cocktail (or two) and enjoy a dinner together. Many of our subsidiary companies participate with us in two large stands at the show.
From all reports received, METS 2017 was a very successful week. It was the 30th anniversary edition of the show and the 30th time Harken has exhibited there. According to METS organizers, the visitor figures were the highest yet recorded for the three-day event, with 16,307 visitors - - an increase of 5% over 2016. These visitors came from 116 different countries. Our Harken distributors came from 20 different countries.
We had a couple of new Harken METS attendees and asked for their first impressions.
Claudia Monti, Harken Italy Customer Service Specialist responded:
“This was my first experience at METS – and a very interesting one! I had the chance to meet some of the accounts I look after, and it was great to be able to see other colleagues and distributors from the Harken group. The Harken team worked as a family, and the mood was professional, yet relaxed. I also had some time to spend walking around the stands, which was a good opportunity to increase my knowledge of the market. Such a great experience!”
By the time we get back from METS and perhaps some European sales calls, it’s Thanksgiving week and the month’s almost over—that’s November at Harken. Hope you enjoy this month’s digest. Happy holidays and best wishes for a wonderful 2018.
-Gail Rice, Manager International Distributor Sales.
Leonard Takahashi Wins 25th Anniversary Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship
In a first for a Japanese representative team, rising match-racing talent Leonard Takahashi and his crew convincingly claimed the Rockin’ Robin Perpetual Trophy on the final day of racing. Hit the link for a full regatta recap.
François Gabart Maintains Lead for New Single-Handed Circumnavigation Record
Having obliterated the 24-hour solo record with an 851 mile day, French sailor François Gabart is over half-way to recording a new single-handed round the world record. This improves on Gabart's previous 24-hour record of 784 miles, set last year. Sailing aboard the cutting edge maxi trimaran Macif, Gabart recently passed the half-way point in his quest, with sights set squarely on Cape Horn and northward up the Atlantic Ocean.
As of November 30th, Gabart and Macif maintain a 692 mile lead over the previous single-handed circumnavigation record set by Thomas Coville nearly one year ago.
Harken is a proud technical supplier and partner in the Macif program.
Harken Tech Team Asked & Answered: Winch Handle Lock Repair
Has your winch handle lost its springiness? Repair it yourself with help from the Harken Tech Team!
Tour the Volvo Ocean Race Boatyard with Neil Cox
Go behind the scenes with Neil Cox, Volvo Ocean Race Boatyard Manager, and see how this well-oiled operation supports all seven teams, around the world, for nearly a year.
Reeving a 6:1 Mainsheet
Is your mainsheet system correctly run? Use this handy guide for reeving a 6:1 purchase.
Credits:
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club | Vincent Curutchet / MACIF| Hannah Cotterell Media