Henri Lloyd and Ben Ainslie Racing
by Henri Lloyd 7 Jul 2014 11:28 BST
7 July 2014
Ben Ainslie skippering the J.P.MORGAN BAR AC45 catamaran © Mark Lloyd /
www.lloyd-images.com
Henri Lloyd and Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) – a partnership of uncompromising performance designed to bring the world's most prestigious sailing trophy, the 35th America's Cup, to Great Britain
Premium British marine and lifestyle clothing brand, Henri Lloyd, has been selected as the Official Technical Clothing Supplier and Merchandise Partner to the Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) team. Bringing over 50 years of technical expertise in innovative marine clothing, Henri Lloyd will support the team in their quest to win the 35th America's Cup for Great Britain. In a sport where every technological improvement counts, Henri Lloyd's commitment to intelligent innovation made them the natural choice to design the sailing wear that will give the team every possible competitive advantage.
An America's Cup boat is a feat of engineering, pioneering new technologies and utilising expertise from automotive, aerospace as well as marine sectors to produce ever more competitive craft. Henri Lloyd has been set a unique challenge to design and engineer garments as part of this quest for speed.
Paul Strzelecki, Henri Lloyd Joint CEO "We have been supporting Ben for 20 years, so to be able to continue that with BAR and into the next America's Cup is really exciting!"
Sir Ben Ainslie, team Principal and Skipper explained, "It is fantastic to have the continued support of Henri Lloyd, my first ever commercial partner. As a team we are looking forward to working closely with them, using their expertise and knowledge, to develop a new technical kit that delivers the team's needs on and off the water."
Henri Lloyd's partnership will span three years encompassing the 35th America's Cup final in 2017. Henri Lloyd will be working alongside a dedicated panel from BAR on the collaborative development of a specialist range of clothing for the sailors and shore team.
Paul Strzelecki continues
"In this campaign, where the boats are at the pinnacle of engineering design, every tiny detail counts! The technical clothing will be engineered to enhance performance using the latest fabrics, design and new technology that work with the athlete and the boat to capitalise on every iota of speed. We want to ensure the team have the best kit available to enable them to concentrate on racing the boat to the optimum. We look forward to the ride!"
In addition to the highly specialized technical clothing range, Henri Lloyd will also design an attractive merchandise range to be launched in 2015, which will not only echo the Britishness of the campaign being played out on a global stage, but will also reflect BAR and Henri Lloyd's values of innovation and technology.
Reaching speeds of up to 45 knots (approx. 50 miles an hour) these supreme sailing machines are built entirely for speed and crewed by athletes at the peak of fitness. Strategy, tactics and nerves of steel combine with carbon fibre construction, foiling fins and a sail constructed like an aircraft wing, to make the modern day America's Cup the Formula One of sailing. The boats are pushed to their limits to literally fly above the water, often out-running the high-powered RIBS that follow them.
The sport of sailing has always been led by pioneers; in the design of the vessels, but also equipment, clothing and the athletes that sail them. Henri Lloyd is no stranger to this pioneering spirit and has led the way with innovative firsts which have since become the benchmark for modern sailing wear such as the first use of Bri-nylon, taped seams and Velcro fastenings. The company prides itself on working with sailors themselves to develop kit that enhances their performance and have previously helped develop clothing that supported quadruple Olympic Gold medallist Sir Ben Ainslie in his pursuit of success.
The prestigious trophy, first known as the 100 Guinea Cup, was first competed for in front of Queen Victoria at the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes in 1851 and was re-named America's Cup in honour of the first winner the schooner, 'America'.
163 years on the British BAR challenge for the 35th America's Cup was launched in the presence of the Duchess of Cambridge, herself a keen sailor, and the British Government who have pledged support and funding for a base for the team in Portsmouth, which is set to bring jobs, facilities and opportunities to the region, building on the city's reputation for excellence in marine and composites technology.
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