World-leading sailing apparel brand Helly Hansen has signed on as official clothing supplier to The Ocean Race.
With over 140 years of knowledge, experience and expertise in developing performance-driven apparel, the Norwegian-based brand is trusted by professionals around the world..
Helly Hansen has also developed lasting partnerships with the sport’s top athletes and has been an official apparel sponsor for teams in The Ocean Race since the initial event nearly 50 years ago.
“Since 1973, The Ocean Race has been demanding the best of everyone who participates,” says race chairman Richard Brisius.
“As sailors we not only love to promote the highest levels of competition on the ocean, but we are also working to promote and implement solutions towards restoring ocean health.
“In Helly Hansen, we have a partner who is equally dedicated to performance and to being a leader in contributing to a healthier ocean.”
‘We are honoured to collaborate with The Ocean Race, a partner who also holds sustainability as a true core value, in restoring ocean health’
Helly Hansen chief executive Paul Stoneham added: “No other sailing race in the world is as challenging and rigorous as The Ocean Race, attracting the sport’s top professionals who are pushed to their limits in extraordinary conditions.
“Helly Hansen is committed to working closely with professionals to develop gear that they can trust no matter what conditions they face.
“We are honoured to collaborate with The Ocean Race, a partner who also holds sustainability as a true core value, in restoring ocean health.”
As high-performance racing boats have raised the bar for technical sailing gear, Helly Hansen delivered jackets with improved Helly Tech waterproof, breathable fabric and stow-away facemasks for added protection.
In the 2014-15 edition, the brand outfitted the all-women’s Team SCA, featuring innovative, gender-specific designs that are still used across existing collections.
Today, Helly Hansen’s Ægir offshore collection is the direct result of having worked closely with The Ocean Race teams through the years.
Last refined with the MAPFRE team in the 2017-18 race, the Ægir line is the culmination of five generations of design improvements, using the sailors’ feedback to create and develop gear they can trust to withstand even the harshest environments.
The next edition of The Ocean Race will start a year later than scheduled in October 2022, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.
