An iconic jacket for ocean racing
The Vendée Globe, scheduled to start on November 10, 2024, is renowned for its extreme conditions. Facing violent winds, freezing cold and crashing waves requires high-performance equipment that is equal to the challenge. It's against this backdrop that the Aegir watch jacket, developed by Helly Hansen, has gained in popularity among skippers. Nearly a quarter of the sailors taking part in this edition will be wearing this jacket for the two months of the race.
This jacket, part of the Aegir collection, named after the god of the sea in Norse mythology, was developed to meet the demands of offshore sailing. The 2.0 edition, launched after five years of research, was designed with recycled materials, in line with the sustainability issues that are becoming increasingly important in the maritime field.
Innovation for skippers
The Aegir jacket is more than just a piece of clothing. It embodies innovation in nautical equipment. In collaboration with experienced sailors such as Thomas Coville, Helly Hansen has redesigned the jacket using HELLY TECH Professional fabric, renowned for its waterproof qualities. This material, in addition to being made from recycled fishing nets, is free from PFAS, chemicals harmful to the oceans.
The jacket features a three-part modular collar, designed to protect sailors from the elements, and a Hi-Vis hood with transparent visor. Watertight closures and latex seals at the wrists guarantee maximum protection against water infiltration. These features have been designed to enable skippers to stay focused on sailing, despite the difficult conditions they'll encounter at sea.
" This exceptional equipment has become my second skin "declares Thomas Coville, expressing his attachment to the jacket he wears during his oceanic challenges.
Helly Hansen, official Vendée Globe outfitter
Founded in 1877, Helly Hansen is a leading name in nautical equipment. This year, it is the official equipment supplier for the Vendée Globe. In addition to the skippers, all the race's technical and safety teams will benefit from the Norwegian brand's expertise. This commitment underlines the importance of safety and comfort in a race where every detail can make the difference.
For the 2024 edition, eight skippers will be equipped with the Aegir jacket:
- Romain ATTANASIO
- Benjamin FERRÉ
- Pip HARE
- Giancarlo PEDOTE
- Alan ROURA
- Kojiro SHIRAISHI
- Maxime SOREL
- Jingkun XU
- Ocean Jacket Aegir, from ?1,200
- Ocean Trousers, from ?900
