Antal Gears Up the Clipper 2027-28 Fleet

The result of almost fifty years of sailing innovation will go on deck for the upcoming edition of the Clipper Race, with Antal supplying the Clipper RX fleet’s deck gear. 

Sailing hardware specialist Antal will kit out the yachts, supplying the winches, jammers, blocks and carbon pedestals that crews will use throughout 40,000 miles of ocean racing. 

Antal comes from the world of high-performance racing, where weight, reliability and precision in deck hardware are real constraints. That industry learned experience is paired with a production approach built on quality. 

“Sailing around the world puts exceptional demands on both our crews and equipment. We need deck hardware that can withstand sustained use, handle demanding conditions and provide confidence with every evolution.  

“Antal’s engineering experience, attention to manufacturing quality and understanding of sail handling make it an easy choice for our new RX fleet. It’s about giving our crews dependable equipment to support them throughout the circumnavigation.” say Greg North, Head of Fleet Maintenance at Clipper Ventures. 

Antal worked with the Clipper Race Maintenance Team to define the optimal deck layout from the earliest design stages. After studying the 3D models of the RX, Antal's engineers were able to walk the deck at the shipyard early in the boat's construction process. Through continuous feedback, and by seeing the dynamics on board, the team refined even the smallest details for precision usability, efficiency and safety. 

“The Clipper Race is an opportunity like no other. Equipping an entire fleet of identical yachts means that every winch and every deck component is used in real conditions and in front of thousands of eyes," said Antal CEO, Enrico Gomiero. 

The result is positioning studied down to the millimetre, for maximum efficiency in every manoeuvre, and the development of an advanced system of carbon pedestals with a heavy-duty gearbox, designed to keep maintenance to a minimum. 

Each Clipper RX will be fitted with: 

XT76.3, XT66 and XT52 winches placed around the cockpit for safe, hassle-free line handling 

Carbon pedestals with a heavy-duty gearbox, built for low maintenance 

DV Jammers to secure every load in place 

OPF and Lopper blocks to ensure a smooth run when fine-tuning every manoeuvre 

The primary winches and pedestals are positioned to ensure handling in extreme conditions and to help protect the crew even when the boat is heavily heeled. Clear, straightforward operation, well-placed controls and carefully considered ergonomics reduce mistakes and physical effort and help people build confidence quickly. 

Antal describes itself as a team of sailors at heart, and says its equipment will be there for every condition the sea has to offer, even the most magnificent, so crews can live every moment to the full and always be in complete control. 

Learn more about Antal at https://antal.it/en/