Hannah Burywood talks about Crewsaver's partnership with Artemis Racing

Crewsaver, technical supplier for Artemis Racing © Mark Jardine

Crewsaver, technical supplier for Artemis Racing © Mark Jardine

Crewsaver, technical supplier for Artemis Racing © Mark Jardine

We visited the Crewsaver stand at the Southampton Boat Show to view the latest Artemis Racing gear and chat to Hannah Burywood of Crewsaver. Crewsaver are the technical supplier of Artemis Racing, a challenger for the 35th America's Cup.

Mark Jardine: Hannah, can you tell me how Crewsaver started their partnership with Artemis Racing?

Hannah Burywood: We were initially in partnership with the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (and still are) which was founded by Iain Percy. Iain is also involved in Artemis Racing, which created a link. After lots of discussion we found that the team were concerned with safety, so they wanted to work with us.

Mark Jardine: I can see with the buoyancy aid for the AC45 sailors that its roots come from Crewsaver's standard buoyancy aid. What additional features have you had to add, specifically for the foiling racing that they are doing?

Hannah Burywood: We started with our normal dinghy buoyancy aid, and developed it to meet the Artemis Racing team's needs. Some of the key additional features include the spare air cylinder, full body armour and knife attachment points. So if you were trapped under the boat for any reason you've got a way to breathe and knives easily accessible to get yourself out.

Mark Jardine: For the larger America's Cup class cats I see the team have gone for a very specific set of clothing and safety equipment. What features does this have?

Hannah Burywood: The spare air cylinder is more heavy duty - it will last a bit longer - and it sits at the back not at the front. There is full body armour; front, back and sides. This comes with level 2 spinal protection. So if you're running around the boat and fall over you are protected.

Mark Jardine: So this really is an amalgamation of a buoyancy aid and a complete safety device?

Hannah Burywood: Absolutely.

Mark Jardine: Do you see what you are doing in partnership with Artemis Racing trickling down into standard dinghy racing? Are the ideas you're building here already getting incorporated into your designs?

Hannah Burywood: We very much hope so. The plan is for our AC45 buoyancy aid, the smaller one, to be sold to high performance sailors. Anyone sailing at this level will be able to benefit from the extra features, such as spare air and armour protection.

Mark Jardine: Many thanks for your time.

Hannah Burywood: A pleasure.

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