The Volvo Ocean Race is fast approaching and this one will see three times more sailing in the Southern Ocean than recent editions of the round-the-world classic. However, the new course still takes the fleet four times across the Equator, so extremes of weather and climate are still very much part of the contest. Demanding on the sailors and very demanding on their clothing... This is shaping up to be perhaps
the most competitive Volvo Ocean Race yet, because it’s very hard to pick a likely winner from the strong line-up of seven, potentially eight teams. Introducing the one-design element to the last edition of the race made for some of the closest finishes seen in the race. With teams using identical equipment, the focus now is on marginal gains wherever you can find them; one of those key areas is what you wear. Two crew with a real chance of
winning the 2017-18 edition are Team AkzoNobel and Dongfeng Race Team, and they’ve both opted to wear Zhik on their race around the world. In a relatively short space of time
54 SEAHORSE
Above: Charles
this Australian company has established a fierce reputation for never-ending development, for never settling for the status quo. It all started with sailors like Tom Slingsby, Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen, Pete Burling and Blair Tuke, who wanted the best kit they could get their hands on to help them win gold medals at the Olympic Games. As this younger generation of high-performance sailors has begun to branch out onto the grand prix scene, including Burling and Tuke’s integral part of Emirates Team New Zealand’s victory in Bermuda, so too has Zhik broadened its remit. Tom Hussey, R&D manager at
Zhik, says the toughest test for offshore sailing gear has to be the Volvo. ‘The one-design nature of the boats means there is no hiding away from hard work,’ he says. ‘The sailors are racing the VO65s with the same intensity as in a round- the-cans race lasting just an hour or two. Except they’re doing it for days and weeks on end, and often within sight of each other because the fleet’s performance is so even. ‘With the boats being short-
Caudrelier’s Franco- Chinese
Volvo entry is one of two this year to now have committed to Zhik foul
weather gear (in the last event Zhik gear was being worn discretely by some of the sailors but under the ‘surface’ to avoid spon- sor issues). Caudrelier is a past Figaro Race and Volvo winner so this is a potential first big step into the French market for the Australian ‘clothier’
staffed and so little down-time for the crew, it’s vital that everyone onboard is capable of operating as close as possible to 100 per cent for as long as possible.’
Why Isotak X will make a competitive difference Following a diligent and lengthy consultation with offshore racing veterans, Hussey says an immense amount of R&D has gone into Zhik’s latest range of offshore garments, Isotak X. ‘It uses the same fabric as the previous Isotak Ocean, but with some significant innovations.’ New features include: 1. Hydrovision hood – Smock, drysuit and jacket. This has been developed to provide a high level of protection while enhancing the sailors’ field of vision. Hydrovision refers to the new hood visor, a rigid clear polycarbonate that provides unprecedented peripheral vision and protection. The visor can be positioned to cover almost the entire face while still allowing the vision necessary for a helm or trimmer to perform to the highest levels. ‘We developed this as a result of the feedback from sailors
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