Innovation meets sustainability thanks to the collaboration between Armare Ropes and the Audace Sailing Team, the student sailing team from the University of Trieste (UniTS). The partnership has led to the development and supply of customized technical ropes for the rigging of “BAI – Flax Bandit”, a cutting-edge boat recently launched at the Yacht Club Adriaco in Trieste and ready to make its debut on June 16 at the SuMoth Challenge in Malcesine, an international event dedicated to student sailing.
“Flax-Bandit” is a foiling moth – a small racing sailboat that literally flies over the water thanks to hydrofoils – built using natural and recycled materials. The name recalls the well-known “Red Bandit”, a competitive German yacht, and highlights the innovative use of flax fiber for the construction of the hull, combined with bio-based resins made 30% from cashew nuts and basalt fibers used to reinforce the deck and structural elements.
The foils, which allow the boat to lift out of the water – the true technological core of the vessel – are subject to extreme stress and have been built in carbon fiber laminated with flax skins, striking a balance between performance and environmental impact.
Another new feature is the sail, which has a more modern and efficient design than previous versions and is made using recovered scrap materials from other sails.
Within this innovative framework, the partnership with Armare Ropes plays a key role: the ropes, specifically designed for the extreme demands of a foiling moth, offer maximum strength, lightness, and reliability, boosting both performance and safety for the team.
“We are proud to collaborate with such determined and innovative young engineers and sailors,” said the Armare Ropes technical team. “Their vision of a more sustainable approach to sailing aligns perfectly with our own philosophy of researching and developing advanced yet environmentally conscious materials.”
The Audace Sailing Team also expressed enthusiasm: “Having a company like Armare Ropes by our side – a name synonymous with excellence and passion for sailing – allows us to push the bar even higher and bring Italian innovation to the international stage.”
