Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing

In the wake of the Luna Rossa experience, Persico has initiated a research and development effort involving composites and the various associated processing challenges. This has led it to develop significant solutions for increasing the productivity and quality of these advanced materials.
One of these new procedures is represented by a patented aluminium mould for the construction of masts in carbon that allows to position all the carbon layers simultaneously together increasing productivity and saving time, as with conventional methods. Consequently, there is a single compaction process, a single heating process and in only two days it is possible to obtain a finished mast without using autoclave.
These solutions have recently been used to construct an entire boat (Volvo Open 70) in composite material that will compete for the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011/2012.