Elvstrøm Sails sets a new direction in North America

Elvstrøm Sails strengthens its presence in North America. Through a new partnership, Elvstrøm Sails North America is going to represent the Danish brand in the United States and Canada – currently setting up a new sail loft in Newport, Rhode Island.

The new setup for North America is set to bring the full range of Elvstrøm Sails to USA and Canada – a full lineup spanning across all four sail technologies including the latest in spread filament composite sails. Furthermore, Elvstrøm Sails is one of only a few companies worldwide to offer all four technologies under one brand.

The new operation combines the sailmaking technologies, product portfolio and more than 70 years of experience of Elvstrøm Sails with local expertise and service to sailors in North America.

Operations started in September with a central sail loft and headquarters established in the Newport, Rhode Island area. The team will also represent Elvstrøm Sails North America throughout the autumn boat show circuit, with featured appearances in Newport and Annapolis.

To represent the brand and the depth of its product program, Elvstrøm Sails has united with a strong lineup of American sailing industry veterans to form the new business endeavor. Elvstrøm Sails North America is led by four co-founders whose backgrounds span sailmaking, business leadership, and championship racing.

• Tim Healy — former sales management executive and world champion sailor.

• Rodrigo Meireles — former manufacturing executive and world champion sailor with decades of experience across one-design and grand-prix sailmaking.

• Jeff Shay — entrepreneurship professor and strategy consultant for businesses ranging from startups to corporate enterprises, as well as an active one-design and offshore sailor.

• Nicholas von der Wense — technology executive who has launched two AI-driven fintech products, holding multiple national sailing titles in offshore and inshore keelboat classes.

The leadership group is joined by two recognized industry veterans: Tom Castiglione, who serves as Senior Sales Consultant for the Northeast region, bringing extensive technical expertise; and Stephen Benjamin, an Olympic medalist, Etchells World Champion, and Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, joining as a dealer and performance consultant.

Unprecedented opportunities

For Morten Gantriis Sørensen, CEO of Elvstrøm Sails A/S in Denmark, the people behind the new operation are a key part of the partnership:

- We are extremely pleased with the new set-up we are now launching in North America. The company is owned and run by a team with outstanding experience from the sailmaking industry. They know the market, they know the products, and – most importantly – they know the sailors and their needs. I could hardly imagine a stronger team to take Elvstrøm Sails forward in North America.

The new setup gives Elvstrøm Sails unprecedented opportunities in the United States. It combines the latest in technology and over 70 years of sailing heritage with vast local expertise.

From the Newport sail loft, Elvstrøm Sails North America will support sailors throughout the process – from advice and sail selection, through to design and delivery and of course the aftersales service. Elvstrøm Sails North America covers all aspects of sails from cruising to racing and everything in between.