Panerai British Classic Week is delighted to announce that dynamic Australian based apparel brand Zhik has been appointed Official Clothing Supplier to the regatta, the 2015 edition of which takes place from 18 to 25 July off Cowes. The sponsorship agreement includes a substantial prize package to include Daily and Overall prizes, the opportunity for competitors to order embroidered crew shirts prior to the regatta and a special promotional offer for competitors through the recently opened Zhik Store in Cowes.
Zhik is at the forefront of innovation, pushing the boundaries in design and fabric technology for all sailors. Founded in 2003 Zhik’s range of wetsuits and dinghy gear completely changed the design approach for performance clothing and has been rapidly adopted by sailors across the globe. This approach helped Zhik secure partnerships with the Olympic teams of Great Britain, New Zealand, Singapore, Denmark and Australia.
Since then, Zhik has taken the same ‘clean sheet’ approach to performance yachting apparel for racing and cruising in all its forms from sports boats and classics through to extreme ocean racing. Recent product launches include the wonderfully soft, high-grip ZKG shoes which give limpet-like levels of grip on teak and varnished decks, and the lightweight Kiama jacket which gives exceptional protection without the bulk of an offshore jacket.
This move into the big boat scene has added Extreme 40s, America’s Cup and Vendee teams plus offshore crews such as Team Realstone (SUI), Melges 32 Team Bombarda (ITA) and Class 40 Arnaud Boissières (FRA) to Zhik’s list of partners. Most recently the company has kitted out one of the J Class yachts that will be attending the Royal Yacht Squadron Bicentenary Regatta and the Classic Superyacht “GAIA".
As well as being passionate about sailing clothes, all of Zhik's team are passionate sailors too. Global Sales Director and double International Moth World Champion Simon Payne and Zhik's Marketing Consultant Liz Rushall, a multi-class dinghy and day boat champion, are both entering their classic yachts in Panerai British Classic Week this year. Simon will be sailing his beautifully restored Nicholson designed sloop “Damian B” and Liz and her husband Mark will race their gleaming Honey Bee “Ragdoll”
“We are delighted to welcome Zhik as Panerai British Classic Week’s Official Clothing Supplier,” said Regatta Chairman Sean McMillan. “Zhik’s innovative approach and the great match between the product range and the needs of our sailors make it a natural partnership. The personal enthusiasm of the Zhik team for classic yachts is the cherry on the cake and I am delighted that both Simon and Liz will be entering their classic yachts for the regatta this year.”
“Damian B” and “Ragdoll” join a rapidly growing list of entrants which already features Herreschoff schooner “Eleonora”, Fife cutter “Mariquita”, the Sparkman & Stephens designed “Opposition”, Fife gaff cutter “Jap”, Laurent Giles sloops “Whooper” and “Cetewayo”, Spirit 52 “Flight of Ufford” and many more.
