Please select your home edition
Edition
A+T Instruments 2024 Leaderboard

SailGP joins forces with Mover to create the world's first plastic-free technical sportswear

by SailGP 11 Oct 2023 22:31 PDT
SailGP joins forces with Mover © SailGP

SailGP, one of the world's fastest growing sports leagues, has announced an exciting purpose-driven collaboration with Mover, a pioneer in 100 percent plastic-free apparel, to create the world's first plastic-free technical sportswear.

A 2023 survey of 1,500 adults in the US, UK and Switzerland, commissioned by SailGP, found that 72 percent of people would prefer plastic-free sportswear if it were available. This collaboration between SailGP and Mover will see a capsule collection available to purchase now and the future development of a line of high-performance sportswear for athletes to trial in a sailing environment. There are six items in this capsule collection, including t-shirts, polos and fleece hoodies, all of which are crafted from 100 percent natural fibers, featuring plastic-free stitching and labelling, and water-based printing.

This project challenges the status quo in sportswear and apparel, where the industry promotes synthetic fibers as the only viable solution to meet the technical demands of high-performance clothing. Synthetic fibers, such as nylon, polyester and acrylic, account for 69 percent of all fibers used worldwide and this figure is expected to reach almost 75 percent by 2030. These fibers are derived from fossil fuels and contribute to primary microplastic pollution and the plastic waste crisis.

SailGP Chief Purpose Officer Fiona Morgan said: "At SailGP our ambition is to be the world's most purpose driven and sustainable global sport and entertainment platform, and it's only by collaborating with innovative, like-minded partners that we'll be able to achieve this.

"That's why we're incredibly excited to be joining forces with Mover after two years of development to totally rethink sports performance clothing with plastic free materials, a cause very close to my heart. This purpose-driven collaboration demonstrates that change is possible if you innovate and re-design the norm."

By testing plastic-free technical sportswear in some of the most challenging environments, this pilot project aims to demonstrate that high-performance textiles can be achieved without relying on fossil-fuel fibers.

CEO and Founder of Mover, Nicolas Rochat, said: "Our collaboration with SailGP is a fantastic opportunity to prove that natural fibers can excel in one of the most demanding sports on the planet. Our materials that are the most technical and intelligent, genuinely designed to be digested by nature."

The collaboration between SailGP and Mover is championed by A Plastic Planet, an organization working to inspire the world to reduce its plastic usage.

Founder of A Plastic Planet, Sian Sutherland, said: "The plastic crisis can feel overwhelming with billions of pieces of plastic still being pumped out into our oceans and soil. But it doesn't have to be this way. Mover is proving that technical performance textiles from natural, truly breathable materials not only feel great but mean we are no longer adding to plastic pollution with every wear and wash. We are so proud to bring Mover together with SailGP to highlight that change is possible."

The survey also found that 54 percent of people were unaware or unsure of any health or environmental-related impacts of chemicals that are used in synthetic technical clothing.

There are several chemicals involved in the treatment of synthetic fabrics that are a cause of concern, including the carcinogen antinomy, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are known to be toxic, persistent and bio accumulative in the environment, and are often now called 'forever chemicals.' Recycled polyester offers no durable solution to the problems associated with synthetic materials as it emits the same toxic substances as any virgin plastic, such as Bisphenol A (BPA) which causes developmental issues, serious eye damage, respiratory irritation, skin allergies and reproductive harm.

The Mover capsule collection can be purchased at shopsailgp.com or mover.eu and is shipped in plastic free kraft mailers.

Related Articles

Italian SailGP Team acquired by investors
The consortium includes Hollywood royalty, Anne Hathaway SailGP has today announced that the Red Bull Italy SailGP Team, has officially been acquired by a consortium of accomplished investors and sports industry leaders, including Hollywood royalty, Anne Hathaway. Posted on 27 May
SailGP Docuseries Spotlights Spithill's Sacrifices
Showcasing growth of the most exciting racing on water SailGP announced it will launch its first-ever, long-form premium docuseries Uncharted next month in order to highlight how the global championship has flipped the narrative on traditional sailing through the lens of Jimmy Spithill. Posted on 21 May
Coutts gives some advice to ageing pro teams
Coutts sounds a warning to the 12 teams to refresh their talent and upskill younger sailors Speaking with Stevie Morrison at the SailGP Technologies facility in Southampton, UK, Coutts sounds a warning to the 12 teams to refresh their talent, upskill younger sailors, and bring them into the SailGP teams. Posted on 15 May
SailGP upgrades F50 fleet ahead of New York event
A series of upgrades are now under way to all 12 wingsails Following a full inspection and review, SailGP can confirm a series of upgrades are now under way to all 12 wingsails in the championship's fleet of high-speed F50 catamarans. Posted on 12 May
Diego Botin on 'getting back in the game'
After a slow start to SailGP Season 5 Young guns Spain may have swept to victory last season, stealing the Season 4 Championship title from under the noses of league heavyweights Australia and New Zealand, but they began the 2025 Season with a string of mixed results. Posted on 4 May
SailGP: Russell Coutts gives a progress report
Progresson on review of wingsail structures, new boat builds, and building up the spares inventory. SailGP CEO Russell Coutts has provided an update on the League's issues as it undertakes a review of the wingsail structures, new boat builds, and building up the spares inventory. Posted on 3 May
Grael reflects on Mubadala Brazil's first season
Challenging conditions, big goals and gaining the team's trust It's been a whirlwind first season for Mubadala Brazil so far. The team, led by SailGP's first female driver and double Olympic champion Martine Grael, entered the league alongside Red Bull Italy at the start of the season. Posted on 19 Apr
Auckland responds to 2026 SailGP ommission
Auckland Events CEO responds to 2026 SailGP venue ommission despite a valid Hosting Agreement. Auckland Unlimited CEO has responded to the ommission of Auckland from the 2026 preliminary event list circulated by the SailGP League, despite a four event Kiwi hosting contract having one event remaining. Posted on 16 Apr
Australia expands to two events
For 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship SailGP, the global sail racing championship, has today revealed an expanded Australian footprint, with two events - Perth and Sydney - confirmed among the first 2026 Season destinations. Posted on 16 Apr
SailGP Rio event cancelled
After identifying a defect in select wingsails across the F50 fleet After identifying a defect in select wingsails across the F50 fleet, SailGP has made the difficult decision to cancel next month's Rio event (May 3-4) in order to facilitate required repairs ahead of New York and the remainder of the 2025 Season. Posted on 10 Apr
Lloyd Stevenson - Catalyst Yacht Tender 1456x180px BOTTOMZhik 2024 DecemberAllen Dynamic 40 Footer