Marlow Ropes will be supplying
innovative, sustainably made and recyclable running rigging for the eleven-strong
fleet in the upcoming Clipper 2023-24 Race. Made with 73% recycled or
sustainably manufactured raw materials, this will be the first fleet and ocean
race where this type of recycled and sustainable rigging is used.

Image:
Testing conditions during Leg 2 of the Clipper 2019-20 Race

The announcement marks over 20 years of
partnership for the two organisations, spanning ten editions of the Clipper
Race. Throughout this relationship, Marlow Ropes has been able to research, develop
and refine its products in the ultimate R&D setting- a 40,000 mile
circumnavigation where matched ocean-racing yachts face extreme conditions and
intense racing.

Ahead of the Clipper 2019-20 Race, each
Clipper 70 was rigged with a mainsheet made from a Bio-Dyneema® core and a rPET polyester cover, in
order to test the durability of these new fibres in the world’s most hostile
environments- from blistering heat to gale-force winds and freezing
temperatures. The success of the product now means that the Clipper Race fleet
can operate with more sustainable running rigging in the next edition.

Every rope will now be made using a
Bio-Dyneema® core, a sustainably sourced synthetic fibre which has the lowest carbon
footprint per unit strength compared to other synthetic fibres as its
production relies less on fossil fuels.

The majority of rope covers will be
made from a blended Blue Ocean…