Marlow Ropes has signed its first partnership agreement with Clipper Ventures, extending a supplier relationship with the Clipper Race that spans more than 20 years.
The four-year deal makes Marlow the official rope supplier for the new Clipper RX fleet in the 2027-28 and 2029-30 races. It also expands supply and technical support to Hamble School of Yachting, Clipper Events, SKIRR Adventures and Clipper China.
The RX running-rigging specification is based on the existing Clipper 70 set-up because the new yachts have a similar mast height and length. Marlow said no rope changes were required after the first trial sail, although line lengths may be adjusted before racing begins.
New jammers and deck hardware have been load-tested at Marlow’s facility through repeated cycles up to maximum load and near-failure. Higher-wear spinnaker sheets and main halyards use a Technora and polyester blended jacket, designed to improve grip and resistance to abrasion and heat. Other running rigging uses recycled polyester covers over Dyneema cores made with bio-circular feedstock.
Unrivalled environment
“The rigging performed incredibly well in practice, standing up to the demands of a tough global race,” said Greg North, head of fleet maintenance at Clipper Ventures.
Paul Honess, leisure marine sales director at Marlow Ropes, added: “The Clipper Race provides an unrivalled environment, allowing our products to perform in some of the most demanding conditions on the planet.”
The wider agreement covers training materials and technical presentations at Hamble School of Yachting, Marlow-equipped yachts in Clipper Events and the Clipper 7 and Clipper 12 fleets in China. Clipper 68 yachts used by SKIRR Adventures on voyages to Iceland and Greenland will also carry Marlow lines.
The agreement also provides for direct feedback from crews, skippers and technical teams, giving Marlow operational information from ocean racing, training fleets, organised events and high-latitude expeditions.
Honess said the partnership would create opportunities for sustainability initiatives, events and research and development.
