11 February 2014
Zhik: Yachting New Zealand’s new Official Technical Clothing Partner
Yachting New Zealand and Zhik have formally teamed up to give New Zealand’s best sailors access to world class technical
wet gear and clothing.
Zhik, the Australian based watersports brand, will be supplying the NZL Sailing team athletes and coaches with on water
gear and shore uniform through until Rio 2016 as Yachting New Zealand’s Official Technical Clothing Partner.
“Zhik wet gear is a clear winning choice of technical apparel for the NZL Sailing Team” says High Performance Director
Jez Fanstone. “The team is really comfortable in this brand and are excited to wear the new team uniform.”
Brian Conolly, Zhik’s Managing Director, was introduced to the NZL Sailing Team at the 50th Anniversary 2013 Volvo
Yachting Excellence Awards in Auckland.
“I was humbled to hear the recent achievements of the NZL Sailing Team, and knew this was a team we wanted to be a part
of.” Brian explains.
Like the NZL Sailing Team’s rise from grassroots clubs around New Zealand to successful international athletes, Zhik has
grown from a small Australasian dinghy sailing company to a global leader in fast wet gear products and high tech
footwear.
“We put the same dedication and commitment into developing our gear as these sailors put into their campaigns. We want
our gear to help the NZL Sailing Team win medals at World Championships and the Rio 2016 Olympics.” Brian continues.
The NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team will also benefit from this new relationship, as will other YNZ programmes such as
Volvo Sailing…Have a Go! and the Learn to Sail/ Learn to Race courses.
Later this year, the public will be able to purchase Zhik items from the NZL Sailing range, with a percentage from all
products sold going back into YNZ grassroots sailing programmes.
YNZ’s Chief Executive Dave Abercrombie explains: “When we launch the NZL Sailing range of clothing later this year, a
percentage of sales from those garments will be put back into YNZ’s club-based programmes.”
The announcement of this new relationship brings an opportunity for both brands to grow together to their mutual
benefit, and most importantly for the NZL Sailing Team to have every chance of success toward 2016.
ENDS