FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Dick Hildebrand
Yale Cordage, Inc.
207-282-3396

YALE LOUPS PROVIDE GREATER STRENGTH THAN STEEL HARDWARE -- AT A FRACTION OF THE WEIGHT

Yale's newest technology employs multiple twine coils to provide unparalleled strength and performance in applications formerly reserved for steel hardware.

Biddeford, Maine, January 30, 2002 - In its continuing effort to develop innovative rope for high-performance applications, Yale Cordage has unveiled LOUPS - a new product designed to replace steel shackles, providing greater strength at a fraction of steel's weight.

The concept behind LOUPS is simple. Using UHMW Braid, Yale's engineers overlap consecutive coils, then splice the ends to create a single loop of overlapping lines. That multiple-strand loop is then encased in a 48 carrier polyethylene sleeve to reduce abrasion. The completed loop then undergoes Yale's proprietary process to equalize stress across each strand, ensuring maximum strength when the finished LOUP is ultimately installed.

"It's a remarkable technology," says Yale Vice President Dick Hildebrand. "We tested our first LOUPS on Team Adventure during The Race, where they were used to replace steel hardware for a variety of applications." According to Hildebrand, a partial list of Team Adventure's LOUP applications included bending on sheets, all block attachments, variable height tacking of headsails, safety preventors, attachment of all Harken traveler and main sheetblocks to boom and crossbeam, all vang attachment points, code zero hank-on loups and attachment of furlers.

Together, the 30 LOUPS used to replace Team Adventure's shackles and attachment points resulted in a weight savings of more than 200 pounds. And, according to Hildebrand, the LOUPS performed even better than the steel hardware they replaced. "In several instances, LOUPS that sailed around the world actually tested stronger than when they left the factory. They don't look like they've been under stress and exposed to the elements for more than 30,000 miles."

Although difficult to comprehend, Hildebrand's explanation clarifies the claim of enhanced strength following use. "Because LOUPS is a series of braid coils working together, routine use on Team Adventure actually equalized the stress load on each coil. At the beginning of the trip, those coils weren't working perfectly in synch. By the end, they were."

Yale then used their newfound knowledge to enhance LOUPS' performance - prior to use. "Based on what we learned, we've developed a process to replicate the stress of regular use. Now, when LOUPS leave our manufacturing facility, each coil performs in synch. When LOUPS are installed, they're ready for maximum performance." Because the coils making up LOUPS are covered by an anti-abrasive sleeve, Yale has incorporated color-coded wear indicators in the sleeve's braid which also identify the LOUPS' strength rating. "We designed the wear bands to do double duty," explains Hildebrand. "As they undergo use, the colored tracers will break down, indicating the need to replace the LOUP. And since the tracers need to be highly visible, it seemed logical to make their colors correspond to LOUP strength."

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