Australian Sailing Team Targets Plastic Pollution with Cheeki Partnership
by Lisa Darmanin / Australian Sailing Team 6 May 06:17 BST
Ethan McAullay using Cheeki products © Beau Outteridge
The Australian Sailing Team (AST) is pleased to announce the renewal of our partnership with Australian-owned water bottle brand Cheeki, who will continue to serve as the Team's Official Hydration Partner.
The announcement builds on a successful relationship that began in 2021, with Cheeki playing a key role in keeping athletes hydrated in daily training environments and at major regattas both in Australia and around the world. The three-year partnership will see Cheeki bottles aboard AST boats until at least the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Over the past several years, Cheeki's high-performance reusable bottles and hydration solutions have become a staple within the team environment, supporting athletes through the physical demands of elite competition while helping reduce reliance on single-use plastics.
AST High Performance Director Iain Brambell said the renewal of the partnership reflects both performance benefits and shared values.
"Cheeki has been an integral part of our program since 2021, supporting our athletes at training camps and regattas across the globe. Our athletes love the quality and full range of Cheeki products, establishing them as a cornerstone within our team's hydration and cooling strategies. As a proven performer in these high-pressure environments, Cheeki continues to underpin our team's competitive advantage.
"Our team and Cheeki also share a commitment to protecting the oceans, a critical ingredient to preserving our community and competitive environments. This partnership aligns perfectly with our responsibility to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable practices within our sport."
Founded in Sydney in 2009, Cheeki has long been driven by a mission to eliminate single-use plastic through durable, reusable alternatives, an ethos that closely mirrors the AST's focus on safeguarding marine environments.
A Cheeki spokesperson said the evolution of the partnership is a natural next step.
"We're incredibly proud to be named the Official Hydration Partner of the Australian Sailing Team. Since 2021, we've worked closely with the athletes and staff to ensure they stay hydrated wherever they are competing around the world.
"Sailing is uniquely connected to the health of our oceans, and that makes this partnership especially meaningful. Together, we're demonstrating that high performance sport and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand."
The collaboration continues to highlight a shared ambition, combining podium performance with leadership in sustainability. With sailing taking place on waterways around the globe, both organisations recognise their role in protecting the environments that underpin the sport.
As the AST looks ahead, the strengthened partnership with Cheeki ensures athletes will continue to be supported by reliable hydration, while contributing to a broader responsibility of reducing plastic pollution and protecting the ocean.