that ends when a new range is launched. ‘We’re never satisfied and continue to push boundaries to create better products,’ says Kerr. ‘There will always be problems to solve and there's always going to be evolution in product design.’ ‘Zhik is regarded as themost
innovative andmodern sailing apparelmanufacturer and the learning process is therefore non- stop. There’s no specific product timeframe for when product lines are updated. Innovation in technology andmaterials really drives our new product releases,’ says Kerr. ‘It is also driven by feedback fromthemarket, our partnerships with athletes and our customers,’ adds Zhik’s recently appointed CEOMat Belcher, a double Olympic goldmedalist in the 470 class. As one of Zhik’s longest standing teamathletes he has played a key role in Zhik’s product innovations for over 10 years. Yoann Richomme is one of the
brightest new solo offshore racing stars, having won the Class 40 division of the last two Route du Rhum races, while his new Imoca 60 promises to be one of the most interesting of the new boats built for the 2024 Vendée Globe. He wore Zhik’s OFS800 for
the 2022 Route du Rhum and is working with Zhik to develop the next generation. ‘The OFS800 range was a great option for the Route du Rhum,’ he says. ‘You can optimise what you pack for these long runs when you know which gear you can easily rely on.’ Kerr says Richomme has bespoke and unique needs, but the fact he's chosen the 800 speaks volumes: ‘It means we clearly have the best on the market in that category, but we will keep pushing to develop the next evolution of this line. The development work we're doing with him is very informative.’ Zhik’s relentless pursuit of
excellence is a perfect match for anyone preparing a serious race campaign in which you seek to optimise all the diverse elements as far as possible. ‘That was a big thing in our Olympic programme,’ says Belcher. ‘Even at a really high level of performance – whether it’s offshore racing, The Ocean Race or the Olympics – some things can be easy decisions. Every time you can make a decision easy it frees up time to focus on other areas.’ Belcher also makes a big point
about the authenticity of Zhik’s development processes and product ranges. ‘When you see these top sailors wearing the products, they know they're wearing the best because they've been involved in the development, they feel comfortable, they trust the brand. The wider
Above: Tess Lloyd and Dervla Duggan from the Australian Sailing Squad are among the early adopters of Zhik’s new Eco Spandex tops. Right: Carolijn Brouwer of Dongfeng Race Team testing a prototype of Zhik’s current offshore kit in the last Volvo Ocean Race
market can also resonate with that, whether they’re cruisers or Sydney- Hobart competitors.’ Authenticity also extends to sustainability, which is another key pillar of the Zhik philosophy. ‘When we source textiles we do full due diligence, following the supply chain back to the original yarn suppliers,’ says Kerr. ‘That’s how we came across Repreve. They are far above the rest in terms of supply chain transparency, while their product is just as good, if not better.’ It’s the world’s leading brand of certified and traceable 100 per cent recycled performance fibres. Embedding proprietary tracer technology into each fibre enables its exact origins to be traced and verified. The yarn is also sourced and manufactured in every major textile region across the planet, minimising transport. The ECO Spandex range of shorts, leggings, long, short and sleeveless race vest tops were Zhik’s first Repreve products, which were added to the range after extensive testing. ‘We sell a lot of spandex – it’s the core of what people wear in dinghies,’ says Belcher, ‘but you have to make sure it performs. We did a lot of testing, with different athletes in a lot of different classes and it performed on the water just
as well, if not better, than our existing product. So it was a no-brainer for us.’ The material is soft and cooling
to touch, while additional elastane fibres provide 200 per cent four-way stretch, yet always return to the original shape, with the added benefit of being inherently UPF 50+ sun protective. This is one of the products the
New Zealand SailGP team uses, along with Zhik’s ECO wetsuits. The latter are made of a neoprene that’s produced from sustainable, plant based natural resources and recycled plastics. This eliminates the use of petroleum-based raw materials that give traditional neoprenes a high carbon footprint and make them difficult to manufacture responsibly. Use of these garments helped
the Kiwi team reach the top of the SailGP’s Impact League, which gives the leaders a tangible benefit in terms of valuable extra practice time on the water ahead of racing in each venue. ‘It has been really exciting to work with them,’ says Kerr. ‘Our regular testing and development cycles with them are also helping us develop the future for foiling classes. That’s super important for us.’
www.zhik.com
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