Helly Hansen to provide apparel for US sailing team

Helly Hansen, a global leader in sailing apparel, has become the exclusive apparel provider for the US sailing team through 2020. Helly Hansen originally produced apparel to protect Norwegian mariners from challenging Nordic weather, but more recently, the brand has made technical and fashionable improvements through innovation and the use of the latest technologies.

“As US sailing team athletes compete around the world, it is of critical importance that they are equipped with the best technical sailing apparel available,” said two-time Olympic Champion Malcolm Page, the chief of US Olympic Sailing.

“Regardless of whether we will be facing oppressive heat or bitter cold, we know that Helly Hansen can offer advanced solutions to provide our team with the comfort, protection, durability and mobility required for competitive success. The brand is trusted by professional sailors around the world and we look forward working with them to give our sailors every possible competitive advantage,” Page said.

Helly Hansen’s involvement in high-performance sailing has been notably distinguished, with Norwegian athletes wearing Helly Hansen gear at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki. 

“We are thrilled and humbled to be partnering with the US Sailing Team. Sailing is where the Helly Hansen brand started 140 years ago, and partnering with the pros of the sport is a critical element in ensuring that we continue to lead in the category. We look forward to supporting the athletes as they train, compete and continue to work toward their goals,” said Erik Burbank, Helly Hansen’s chief marketing officer (Oslo, Norway).

US sailing team athletes have begun receiving Helly Hansen team gear at training venues across the country.

“We compete in some really cold places, like Palma de Mallorca, Spain, every March, for example. Places like that are windy, wet, and have the kind of cold that gets into your bones. Having sailing gear that can breathe but also shed water is vital to being able to perform well. If you’re cold, you’re not going to win races,” said US Olympian and Nacra 17 athlete Louisa Chafee.