AKZONOBEL has entered into a two-year partnership to supply the Extreme Sailing Series – an annual global stadium racing circuit featuring some of the latest high-performance hull coatings. Bringing the action to a larger public with sailing close to shore, and dramatically increasing the pace on the water, the adrenaline-fuelled sailing event offers a fresh approach to the sport of sailing.

The Extreme 40 catamarans that will be applied with AkzoNobel’s Awlgrip yacht coating are capable of reaching speeds usually reserved to motorboats even in medium-wind conditions. Flying a hull in as little as eight knots of breeze (15 kph), the 40-ft (12 m) long carbon speed machine requires coordination, but also sheer muscular power from the crews during races that do not exceed 15-20 minutes. 

“AkzoNobel provides its Awlgrip yacht coatings that offer technical innovation, superior performance and aesthetics to the fleet of Extreme 40 high performance catamarans raced in the series,” the company said.