Olympic sailing hasn’t exactly been an American forte in recent years. A bronze medal in Paris was certainly no small feat, but the United States is routinely out classed by countries that have better funded and supported national programs. To that end, ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles games, US Sailing is investing in the “performance pathway,” including Youth Teams and an Olympic Development Program (ODP).
They have also inked a multi-year deal with the Australian performance sports brand Zhik to be their official technical apparel supplier across the program. Zhik has been an increasingly popular brand in the United States, and in recent years have made serving female sailors and improving sustainability company priorities.
“Zhik’s partnership with US Sailing is a powerful step forward in our mission to support Olympic athletes and elevate the sport of sailing,” says Marcus Lynch, High Performance Director at US Sailing. “Their innovative gear and shared values of excellence make them a perfect fit for our team, and we are excited to work together to showcase the best of the sport.”
Zhik’s sponsorship will also extend to major sailing events, such as the Sailing Leadership Forum, and the partnership will expand Zhik’s neoprene wetsuit recycling program, ReZhikle, across the United States.
“This partnership with Zhik is about more than just providing our athletes with top-tier gear,” says Charlie Enright, the newly appointed CEO of US Sailing and 2023 Ocean Race winner. “It’s about pushing the sport forward across the country. Zhik’s reputation makes them an ideal partner as we continue to support our sailors in their pursuit of excellence. With Zhik we’re not only equipping our team for success but encouraging sailing at every level as we build momentum toward 2028.”
For more on the partnership and other news from Zhik, click here.
