Zhik named Official Technical Clothing Partner to British Sailing Team

by Lindsey Bell on 3 Jul 2013 For the coming four years, Zhik Sailing Clothing will join forces with the British Sailing Team, with confirmation today (3 July) of the company’s status as Official Technical Clothing Partner to the team which comprises some 86 sailors and 40 supporting staff across the Olympic and Paralympic Classes.

Zhik has fast become the premium choice of technical clothing for sailors around the world, with dinghy kit at the core of its range. Founded in 2003, Zhik has a charter to deliver technically proficient apparel for racing on the water. Through hi-tech innovation and effective design, the company engineers products that combine comfort, performance and style. Zhik now sells an extensive range of high performance marine products into an international network covering more than 40 countries.

Zhik’s support of the British Sailing Team will assist with the functional challenges of ensuring that the athletes’ technical clothing maintains body temperature during long days on the water, as well as aiding agility, performance and comfort in all weathers encountered when sailing in venues around the world.

'Our athletes are constantly moving around the boat, hanging off trapezes and hoisting up huge spinnakers in challenging and changeable weather conditions,' said RYA Olympic Manager Stephen Park.

'Sailing as a sport requires very specific technical clothing, and for our sailors what they wear out on the water is vital to helping them perform at their very best day in, day out.

'Zhik has a comprehensive understanding of what the athletes need when racing, and is constantly looking for innovative ways to better its technical range – with that in mind we are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them in the coming years.'

Dylan Fletcher, 49er helm in the British Sailing Team, said: 'I’m a big fan of Zhik kit – it has always been at the forefront of sailing kit since they started out, especially for skiff sailing where flexibility is of such an importance to us.

'My favourite bits of kit are the Microfleece Skiff Suit coupled with the Titanium top, which keep me warm but most importantly allow me to run around the boat without feeling like the kit is slowing me down.'

Simon Payne of Zhik commented: 'We are honoured to be working with the British Sailing Team for this next four year cycle. As the team’s new Official Technical Clothing Partner, our focus will be on working with the team to develop new products and systems that will allow this country’s athletes to perform better at all their key events on the world stage.

'Zhik has an enviable reputation at Olympic level and this is great news for our Zhik website