Marine apparel brand, Zhik, has joined Alex Thomson Racing as Official Technical Clothing Supplier.
The announcement comes as the ocean racing team celebrates the official launch of its new HUGO BOSS boat, marking the beginning of the team’s journey to the 2020 Vendée Glove round the world race.
Since breaking into the market with its game changing wetsuits for athletes in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Zhik has sought to truly change the face of sailing clothing design. Unafraid to challenge conventions, the brand continues to push the boundaries and combine innovative design with new fabric technologies.
From outfitting some of the world’s best-known Olympic athletes, through to clothing the winners of the 2017/2018 Volvo Ocean Race, Dongfeng Race Team, Zhik has rapidly forged a reputation as one of the most forward thinking, innovative technical clothing brands in the world of sailing. The brand will now equip Skipper Thomson and his team with technical clothing, specifically designed to be worn during offshore training and races, in the harshest of environments.
Upon announcing the partnership, Skipper Thomson said: “As we train and race offshore, we’re exposed to incredibly extreme weather conditions. For myself and the team it’s crucial that we stay warm and dry in colder environments, and cool when the conditions are hot and humid onboard. Having access to reliable, lightweight technical clothing, which fits well and is comfortable to wear for long periods, is key to our performance.
“We chose to work with Zhik because, like us, they focus on innovation and precision, and have a solid reputation for supporting sailing teams competing at the highest level. We’re delighted to join that line up”.
Following the official launch of the HUGO BOSS yacht in London on September 19th, Thomson and his team will now prepare for their debut race onboard the new boat, the classic double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre on October 27th, a race which begins in Le Havre in France’s Normandy region and finishes in Salvador, Brazil.
Piet Poelmann, CEO of Zhik, said, “We are thrilled to be supporting Alex Thomson Racing and their bid to win the 2020 Vendée Globe. The Zhik team is passionate about sailing, and dedicated to continuously innovating, redefining and creating the ultimate technical gear, enabling sailors to perform at their best day in, day out. We feel a great synergy with Alex Thomson Racing, with our shared ambition to be the best and our relentless pursuit of excellence.”