From a six-leg round-the-world race to one of the most legendary transatlantic events, Profurl equipment is sailing across every ocean… and in conditions where there is absolutely no room for approximation.
Between Ian Lipinski 's victory in the Globe40 and the ambitions of Roland Jourdain's WeExplore catamaran, one common thread clearly emerges: the reliability of furling systems when pushed to their limits.
Globe40: 30,000 miles to prove the engineering
“The Globe40 is basically the equivalent of 10 Route du Rhum races in terms of distance covered.”
Sébastien Picault, boat preparer for Ian Lipinski (Crédit Mutuel), perfectly summed up the intensity of this six-leg round-the-world race: a full-scale testing ground where every component is exposed to extreme weather variations and continuous mechanical fatigue.
The winning boat was fully equipped with Profurl systems, giving the team particularly valuable feedback on equipment behavior during long-distance offshore racing.
In his testimonial, Ian Lipinski specifically highlighted the key role played by the three Profurl furlers and hooks, which delivered both safety and performance in sometimes highly demanding conditions. In transoceanic racing, speed of execution alone is not enough. Consistency and confidence in the equipment become performance factors.
For the Profurl engineering teams, who met with the crew in Lorient after the finish, this victory represents far more than a sporting achievement. It is real-world validation for solutions designed to withstand the relentless wear and tear of offshore sailing.
WeExplore: sustainable innovation built for the long haul
Different setting, different philosophy… but the same technical standards.
For several years now, the WeExplore catamaran has been sailing the world with a clear ambition: to demonstrate that another approach to racing and boatbuilding is possible. Made with 50% flax fibers, the boat promotes a vision that respects the ocean, wildlife, and marine ecosystems.
To support this unique project, Profurl supplied proven, high-reliability systems:
- a NEXSTR12 furler and swivel lock on the main forestay carrying the J1;
- NEX 8.0 swivel locks systems and furlers for the gennaker and J2.
These technical choices address a reality well known to offshore sailors: on a high-performance multihull, systems must remain easy to handle, lightweight, reliable, and capable of absorbing heavy loads over long periods of time.
With Roland Jourdain on board, WeExplore will compete in the next Route du Rhum in the Vintage Multi category. The objective goes far beyond sporting performance alone: it is also about proving the robustness of bio-based materials in competition and using this transatlantic race as a platform to reconnect society with the ocean.
From offshore racing to engineering… and back again!
Whether aboard a Class40 winning a round-the-world race or an experimental catamaran competing in the Route du Rhum, the conclusion remains the same: furling systems are no longer simple deck accessories.
They directly contribute to:
- crew safety;
- sail power management;
- smooth sail configuration changes;
- and the boat’s overall performance.
In other words, when miles keep adding up around the globe, every mechanical detail matters.
And for Profurl, what a source of pride it is to see its equipment traveling around the world without showing any signs of weakness… Now you understand a little better why we back them with a 10-year warranty!