A water repelling 'adventure' with the Australian Olympic Team sailors

by Charlotte Stollmann on 11 Mar 2016 Zhik is proud to announce its partnership with the Australian Olympic Committee as an Official Supplier to the Australian Olympic Team for Rio 2016.

Zhik unveiled its sailing uniform collection at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in Kirribilli this morning, showcasing the revolutionary new super light and extremely water repellent “Avlare®” fabric.

Mike Tancred, Media Director of the 2016 Australian Olympic Team opened the proceedings by welcoming Zhik as an official Supplier to the Team.

“We would like to thank Zhik and welcome them onto the Australian Olympic Team.

“We are very excited the sailing section will be wearing the latest in technology to give them that extra edge on the water in Rio.”

The sailing section of the 2016 Australian Olympic Team is busy preparing for the South American Games, with a total of six sailors already selected out of an anticipated 12.

Aussie sailors will be looking to replicate the powerhouse performance from the London 2012 Games, where Australia stamped itself as a dominant force in World sailing with three Gold medals and a silver.

“Zhik is very proud to be working with the Australian Olympic Team, and we hope our latest innovations help to secure gold in Rio.

“This new Avlare® product is really quite extraordinary, as it dramatically reduces weight, increases comfort, maintains breathability and protects the sailors from the water,” emphasized Brian Conolly, CEO of Zhik.



During the one-hour press event selected Australian Olympic Team Athletes Will Ryan, Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin showcased their new grey, white, green and gold technical uniform, along with five-time Olympic coach Victor Kovalenko.

Avlare’s® extreme water repellency is extraordinarily combined with high stretch, providing a low weight, highly breathable fabric unrivalled in water sports. The new Olympic suit is thinner, lighter and more comfortable than anything currently worn by the sailors. It actually prevents them from getting wet, thereby significantly reducing their water weight and keeping them shielded from the elements.

Lisa Darmanin and her Nacra 17 partner, Jason Waterhouse, have been testing the gear throughout its development and in the lead up to Rio, “it’s light and flexible, but really insulating which is critical on the Nacra. We go so fast that I get cold just wearing spandex as soon as the wind picks up. At the same time, Avlare® just doesn’t absorb any water like a wetsuit would. I have been wearing it pretty much every day out on the water.”