J/105

Jeff Thorpe was eight years old when he started the Leo Robbins sailing program. The instructor told his dad that Jeff wasn’t cut out for sailing, but Jeff went back the next season and hasn’t stopped sailing since. Throughout high school he raced Sabots, Lasers, and Laser 2s. When it was time for college, he didn’t have the money, so he took a job building and racing Morc boats at Pinnacle Yacht Design Group.

Jeff stayed involved in the marine industry in a variety of ways, from an Olympic campaign with friends to fixing and rebuilding J/24s at his own shop to working in a sail loft. While working at the loft, he had the opportunity to sail on a J/125 with Quantum sails. Jeff was impressed with what he saw. He contacted Quantum Sails and told them he needed to work for them.

Today Jeff works as a sail consultant at the Quantum Pacific loft, giving his clients the attention to detail they need to find the right sails. With his extensive sailing history, he’s more than qualified to help others figure out exactly what they need to meet their goals. "I spent years running offshore racing programs, so I have a fair bit of knowledge that helps me provide my clients with a great resource when they have questions," said Jeff. "I make sure they understand all the options available to them to help them enjoy their sailing."

Jeff's sailing experience includes J/70, J/111, J/105, J/125, Melges 24, Olson 30, E-22, PHRF, ORR, IRC, TP 52, Santa Cruz 70, and Santa Cruz 52 classes, as well as offshore catamarans, cruising boats, and racing boats.

Scott Nixon has been involved with racing his whole life. Scott grew up sailing on the Southern Chesapeake Bay in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.

An All-American sailor at St. Mary's College of Maryland, Scott later coached many students to the All-American ranks at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. With decades of competitive racing, he has a wide range of racing experiences, including dinghies, one-design keelboats, inshore big boats, and offshore distance racing.

Scott joined Quantum Sails in 2000, and his experiences bring a unique skill set to Quantum's programs. Focusing primarily on one design classes, he is directly involved in testing, design, and development of Quantum’s One Design sail programs. He working directly with the design team and worldwide sales team to make sure Quantum sails are at the front of the fleet.

Scott has sailed with Quantum customers to win championships at the World, Gold Cup, European, North American, and National levels.

His hands-on approach includes active campaigns and racing in the following classes for Quantum: J/22, J/24, J/70, J/80, J/88, J/109, J/111, C&C 30, Farr 30, Farr 40, Swan 42, Swan 45, Melges 20, Melges 24, Melges 32, Melges 40, TP52, ORC, and GL52 classes. He is a three-time World Champion in the J/111, Melges 32, and ORC 52 classes.

Alejandro Irigoyen started sailing when he was 12 years old. His father was a keen sailboat racer at the Yacht Club Argentino, and Alejandro spent his weekends racing and living aboard the family’s wooden S&S Finisterre. By the time he graduated high school, Alejandro knew he wanted to dedicate his life to sailing, so he started studying yacht design.

He started his sailmaking career in 1982 working for Hood, before starting his own Sobstad loft. In 2001, Alejandro joined the Quantum Sails family. “It was a natural decision,” he said. “I shared the same view and goals as the founding group.”

Though he’s sailed in various classes, Alejandro’s expertise includes Optimist, Cadet, 470, Snipe, J/24, J/70, J/105, Soto 33, and Soto 44 classes. Whether he’s sharing his class knowledge and experience, or helping customers organize their campaigns and training, Alejandro’s passion for excellence provides the best service, products, and support for his customers.

Kris Werner grew up in Queens, NY, and spent his childhood on the water, sailing and fishing. He is a graduate of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, where he earned an unlimited tonnage/oceans USCG license and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation and Business.

After four years of collegiate varsity and offshore sailing, Kris served as a collegiate sailing coach and waterfront director. His career took him all over the world as a ship's officer on ocean-going tankers. In 2004, Kris came to Rochester to earn his way to Chief Officer on the Rochester Fast Ferry. He then worked as a Broker with RCR Yachts and began collaborating with Steve Haarstick on sail designs for various boats, including J/70s, J/24s, and other offshore vessels. For three years, he worked at Haarstick Sailmakers before transitioning to becoming the owner of the loft which is now Quantum Sails Rochester. Kris has extensive experience in offshore and one-design racing campaigns, both as a helmsman and a crew member. In addition to being a familiar face on the racing circuit, Kris enjoys spending time cruising with his wife and three boys.

Farley is a lifelong, world-class sailor with more than 30 years of experience as one of the world’s top sailmakers and yacht racers. In 1985, Farley teamed up with John Kolius and started UK Sails Texas. The loft became the premier sail maker on the Gulf Coast and gained international recognition for its success in Grand Prix events. In 1996, Farley co-founded Quantum Sails and now serves as Executive Vice President.

Among his many accomplishments, Farley is a two-time member of the J/24 world championship team and has sailed aboard the winner of the Southern Ocean Racing Conference, the International 50’ class world champion, and the One Design 48 circuit season champion. He and Kolius teamed up again on the water and have won the J/80 North Americans, taking second at the J/80 Worlds.

Farley coaches many Melges 32 teams, races on RP 86 Windquest, and races his own Viper 640.

A lifelong sailor from Dana Point, California, Eric Heim grew up racing in the Naples Sabot Class and quickly expanded into competitive keelboat and offshore racing. His early passion for the water led him into sailmaking at a young age, where he discovered the perfect balance of craftsmanship, performance, and design.

Eric joined Quantum Sails San Diego in 2006 and soon became Production Manager, helping create championship-winning sails while remaining active across one-design, offshore, and grand prix fleets. With decades of hands-on experience, Eric has developed a reputation for precision, teamwork, and leadership both in the loft and on the racecourse.

In recent years, Eric has focused on advancing Quantum’s performance cruising and offshore offerings—bringing high-end racing technology to everyday sailors. As a cruising boat owner and parent of two junior racers, he connects deeply with sailors of all levels and continues to give back to the sport as Chief Measurer for the International Naples Sabot Association.

An accomplished offshore competitor, Eric has multiple Transpac races under his belt, including a class win in 2023 and an overall victory in 2025 aboard the Cal 40 Restless, where he was honored as Most Valuable Crew.

Today, Eric combines his deep technical expertise and passion for sailing to help Quantum customers achieve their best performance on the water.