HYDE SAILS CEMENTS FIRST PORTUGUESE DISTRIBUTOR

Hyde Sails utilises the global Clipper Race platform to celebrates new Portuguese distributor during Portimão stopover.

During the Clipper 2019-20 Race stopover at Host Port, Marina de Portimão, Hyde Sails celebrated and cemented the new relationship with its first Portuguese distributor.

Utilising the global platform that the Clipper Race offers to Race Partners, Official Sail Supplier, Hyde Sails, invited the owners of its new distributor in Portugal, Dune Sailmakers, to experience an afternoon of sailing along the Algarve coastline on one of the Clipper Race 70ft ocean racing yachts.

Filipe Fernandes, Sócio Gerente of Dune Sailmakers, said: “We want to thank Hyde Sails and the Clipper Race for inviting us, it was fantastic. We brought together a group of clients, coworkers and some young local sailors, who had been gifted a place, to come here to Marina de Portimão and enjoy the opportunity of sailing one of the Clipper 70s.

“It has also been great to meet everyone behind this unique organisation. For many years I have been following the Clipper Race so it was great to experience it myself.”

Reflecting on what it meant for Dune Sailmakers as a Hyde Sails distributor, he added: “For us being part of such a big event, when there are not any other sail makers in Portugal that can be part of this, is a big thing. We only opened three and a half years ago, so our hard work is paying off.”

Martin Newman, Hyde Sails Production Manager, said “Hyde Sails is always looking for new opportunities and Dune Sailmakers were looking for an established brand to work with and to outsource their manufacturing to. Over the past twelve months we have been working closely with Filipe and Duarte and so it has been great to meet them in person.

“As a Race Partner it was fantastic for us to be able to utilise the Clipper Race fleet in Portimão as a means to celebrate our entry into the Portuguese market and build our relationship with our new distributors here in Portugal.”

Filipe Fernandes and business partner, Duarte Gonçalves, were hosted by the Hyde Sails on board Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam. Skipper Josh Stickland and crew helped the guests get to know the ropes and even in the light wind conditions, showed what the Clipper 70s can do when powered by Hyde Sails. Upon returning to Marina de Portimão, a drinks reception and boat tour was held on board against yet another brilliant Portimão sunset.

Duarte Gonçalves, Sócio Gerente of Dune Sailmakers, said: “For me, it is a good experience and for our clients and our business. It is a great thing to forge great connections with sailors from around the world. For us it is a beautiful thing to do, to see and to be part of this global race.”