Sproul promoted

Elvstrøm Sails appoints group racing division manager

Elvstrøm Sails has appointed Kevin Sproul as Racing division manager for the Group to concentrate on the recent surge in enquiries for performance and grand prix sails following the recent launch of the company’s new EPEX technology. Developed over the last five years, EPEX is a revolutionary new process for producing sail membranes which will be more durable and longer lasting than any existing sail technology.

Since 2002, Sproul has been Managing Director of the UK office of Sobstad Sailmakers and continued in the role following the merger with Elvstrøm sails in 2006. His impressive track record in the design and development of racing sails includes innovative designs such as the ‘V-Cut’ headsails fitted to the Swan 45 WISC last season.

Impressed with WISC’s performance, another Swan 45 DSK made the switch to Elvstrøm Sails and promptly won the 2008 Copa del Ray in Palma, Mallorca. Other 2008 wins for Elvstrøm Sails included the J80 Nationals, Rolex Capri Cup, Cowes Week, Les Voiles de St Tropez and Dartmouth Regatta. Further wins already in 2009 include the Warsash Spring Series, Palma Vela and the Pirelli Cup in Portofino.

“This is a very exciting time for Elvstrøm Sails“ said Sproul. “We now have one of the most advanced technologies in sailmaking and the results prove it. When you consider that Elvstrøm Sails are generally outnumbered by other sail brands on the race course, it is even more impressive that we are winning races.”

Sproul will be based between Elvstrøm’s UK Hamble office and the headquarters in Aabenraa, Denmark where all the sails are produced. He will be competing in a number of regattas this season including attending a series of '4 Racing by Elvstrom Sails' training weekends in Denmark, Germany and the UK. Organised by the company, the training weekends are open to anyone looking to improve the performance of their yacht. Over 40 boats turned out for the first training weekend in Norway last week.