All News

The J.J. Giltinan Championships sailed on Sydney Harbour saw one of the closest finishes to date, decided meters before the finish of the last race.

Early series leader Active Air-2UE skippered by Matt Searle, sailed a very consistent regatta finishing only 1 point behind the eventual winner Southern Cross Constructions (Euan Mc Nicol).

The series was wide open coming into the final Heat 7, with any one of the top 3 boats in with a chance.

Active Air-2UE were in a dominant position early in the race as Southern Cross Constructions were 4 minutes behind, after a disastrous start. With 2 laps to go Active Air-2UE still looked strong, with Southern Cross doing everything they could fighting their way through the fleet. The light and fickle breeze saw 90 degree shifts, allowing Southern Cross to make big gains on the leaders with a lap to go.

During the last downwind run, the title was still open. Active Air-2UE had to finish 2nd and get Gotta Love It 7 between them and Southern Cross. It all looked promising until the young team on Panasonic pipped them on the finish line to get 2nd. Active Air was relegated to 3rd, and Southern Cross climbed to 4th. One place behind Active Air-2UE and enough to give them the series.

Rag and Famish hotel also sported the latest rig from CST Composites and showed some good form winning the NSW Championship before the start of J.J. series. They looked strong after 4 heats, but slipped back towards the end of the regatta, to finish 5th overall.  CST rigs were also used by Smeg, SLAM and Pure Blonde all finishing inside the top 10.

It has been a massive year here at CST Composites with 12 National and 6 World title wins to our name. Out of those six world titles some of them have come from the prestige classes as well as leading edge skiff technology such as; Moths, I 14’s, A-Class Cats, 12ft Skiffs and the Contender class. Our high standard and quality products are not only evident in those classes but with 12 National wins in: 12ft skiffs, B14’s, I 14’s, Cherub, Flying Dutchman, Javelin, NS14, Skate and the Vee Ess. Here at CST composites we are proving to be the leading supplier for high quality lightweight and top performance spars.

 12 Years ago CST started pioneering with filament wound tubing for masts in small dingys and skiffs. By using our unique process we have supplied the fastest skiffs all over the world with flexible, responsive tapered masts and beams that have outperformed the competition. Managing Director, Clive Watts had the foresight to see that filament winding could provide tube with an automated process, high quality and repeatability that sailors look for in a product. This was the way of the future compared to pre-impregnated fibers that were traditionally roll wrapped and could not compete with filament winding.  The current haul for this year shows that we are the best providers of filament wound lightweight, high performing masts and beams.

To move with development times we have introduced our new range of high modulus masts. These new masts are filament wound using epoxy resin and “High Modulus” carbon fibre to give responsive, lightweight and tough masts. These masts are smaller in diameter and lighter in weight. Generally mast stiffness has increased with square top mains and have been individually developed with each of the classes.

With all the new developments CST Composites is heading into an exciting 2009.  By the end of January machine number six will be online, which can wind four times faster whilst still maintaining our high quality. The entire factory is in the middle of a retro-fit with a second level being added enabling us to expand our fabrication and pultrision capabilities, this includes the recently launched sail battens for yachts and skiffs.

We continue to build our filament winding infrastructure as we aim to provide the best quality, highest performance and economical spars on the market today.

CST has just manufactured its first range of carbon fibre sail battens for an 18′ skiff mainsail.  CST’s new range of carbon epoxy pultruded battens offer exceptional strength, weight and toughness benefits.  For further information click the attached flyer.  Batten Flyer.

CST has added the Javelin mast to it’s ever increasing High Modulus Spar Range. The new Javelin mast is 15% lighter and stiffer than the previous version, comes in two pieces, with joining, reinforcing sleeves and the track attached.

For further information please Contact us.

Congratulations to Marcus Hamilton on winning back to back World Contender Championships in Canada last week. Marcus was using CST’s contender mast, which he has had for the last 4 years. Not only has his skill and consistency shone through, but the durability and longevity of the CST mast has once again proven it’s value.

For further information on our mast please click on the following link or Contact us.

Congratulations to Archie Massey and Matt Noble for winning the 2008 I14 World Championships in Germany; and also to Dave Alexander and Cameron McDonald who finished 3rd using CST’s new 57mm series High Modulus mast. The mast which is over 10mm smaller in diametre than it’s closest competitor proved to be a winning formula. Only developed in early March, the mast was used once before being seriously tested in the windy conditions at the World Championship in Germany. Proving it’s strength and durability with a crew who only partnered and sailed together at the World Championships, CST’s new mast is sure to set some new standards. Picture