Australian Sailing Team announce Maui Jim as new sponsor

by Craig Heydon on 27 Sep 2011 The Australian Sailing Team is pleased to announce that Maui Jim, the world’s fastest growing premium polarised sunglass maker, has come onboard to sponsor the team through until 2013.

The new arrangement with Maui Jim will see Australian Sailing Team athletes kitted out in the latest Maui Jim premium polarised sunglasses both on and off the water as they compete at regattas around the world.

'Maui Jim is extremely pleased to be the official sunglass sponsor for the Australian Sailing Team for the next two years, we believe it’s a great partnership and are looking forward to providing performance enhancing protection' said Richard Hoare, Marketing Manager, Maui Jim Australia.

'Our patented colour infused PolarisedPlus®2 lens technology is an optically correct, distortion-free lens providing greater contrast and clarity, which will assist the athletes in being able to read the wind, cut glare, whilst protecting their eyes from harmful UVA ,UVB and UVC rays.'

Australian Sailing Team Head Coach Victor Kovalenko said that the team is looking forward to a long and successful partnership with Maui Jim.

'Maui Jim is a perfect fit for the Australian Sailing Team, it is a brand which embodies top technology, top quality, top reputation and a classic shape,' said Kovalenko. 'Members of our team have been using Maui Jim glasses for some time now and they have been a part of our success at the international level, the nine levels of polarisation gives the sailors the opportunity to see the wind on the water which has a direct effect on their racing.'

Australian 470 crew Malcolm Page and Mathew Belcher have been using Maui Jim glasses for some time now and Page is very impressed with the quality of the product.

'Every pair of Maui Jim’s I’ve used have been great,' said Page. 'The quality of the lens is like nothing I’ve ever used before which makes a major difference on the water.

'Whatever equipment we use in the boats we want to make sure that we’re using the best and it’s the same with our sunglasses,' he said. 'In the past Mathew has always struggled with sunglasses when sailing in the 470 due to the spray in boat and the amount of water which ends up on the lenses, making it incredibly hard to see.

'With the Maui Jim’s he’s able to wear them more often as they provide better vision, he’s not seeing water all the time anymore, he’s able to see the wind, the sails and the other boats, all of which is important,' said Page.

The Australian Sailing Team is in the midst of training, preparing for a busy year both at home and abroad.

The team will be back in action in the coming months, including the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships this December, the largest regatta ever held in Australia, where athletes will be out not only to win their respective world titles but also to qualify Australia for 2012.
Australian Sailing Team website
Maui Jim website