SP collaborates with HUGO BOSS team to produce next generation Open 60

Following a year of anticipation and closely guarded technical data, the new Open 60 HUGO BOSS has taken to the water. SP, the marine business of Gurit AG, has supplied a range of composite materials and an extensive engineering package to this impressive vessel that is sure to set the sailing world alight.

HUGO BOSS was constructed in a female mould using SP’s SE70 prepreg. The product’s low cure characteristics reduce thermal movement during the cure cycle and therefore prevent distortion of the structure’s shape. By remaining true to the boat’s original geometry and design no filling or fairing was necessary and HUGO BOSS has an almost flawless surface. The result is one of the lightest Open 60 structures ever built which is sure to perform excellently on the race course.

SP was part of a first class team of industry experts including French architects Finot-Conq, Jason Carrington as Project Manager and Neville Hutton as Boat Builder. Finot-Conq was responsible for the designs of the last four Vendee Globe winners.

Jason Carrington has acquired a worldwide reputation for building some of the best offshore racing yachts and Neville Hutton’s yard has been at the cutting edge of composites manufacturing technology for many years.

HUGO BOSS will be skippered by Alex Thomson in the forthcoming Fastnet Race 2007 and later this year in the Barcelona World Race. Alex is a major talent in international yachting and has won various high profile races during his career. He holds the 24 hour solo monohull world speed record and will compete in the Vendée Globe in 2008.