Dainese Gears Emirates Team New Zealand for Final Round of Louis Vuitton America's Cup

2016-11-19 14:22
Following Dainese’s recent announcement of the partnership with Emirates Team New Zealand in Milan at the EICMA 2016 Motorcycling World Exhibition, the iconic Italian brand equips the Kiwi Team for the final round of the 2015-2016 Louis Vuitton America’s Cup with SEA-GUARD, a “safety life jacket,” essential gear for the crew’s protection while sailing.

The result of a collaboration between Dainese experts and the Emirates Team New Zealand crew, SEA-GUARD is the first protective device expressly designed for sailing competitions. Officially worn for the first time during the final round of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup held in Fukuoka, thanks to the perfect balance between Crash Absorb and PE low-density materials, the SEA-GUARD jacket guarantees impact protection and floating functions in an integrated, ergonomic and comfortable solution. The innovative jacket also offers the possibility to integrate the oxygen tank, a safety device used by athletes in case of emergency when the boat crashes, and features an emergency opening system, a special zipper designed for quick removal of the garment.

The new SEA-GUARD jacket is equipped with the data collection platform from D-air®, Dainese’s airbag system, thanks to which it will be possible to analyze the environment of sailing competitions and consider a possible future application of the D-air protective system to this field as well. First produced for World Championship motorcycle riders, the D-air system has since been developed—together with the FIS-Ski—for professional skiers and now it is officially used in World Cup Series skiing races.

The foiling AC50 catamarans that will be raced in the next America’s Cup are flying machines, the most advanced yachts in terms of technology and performance. These boats will be able to reach speeds never seen before. Safety on board therefore became fundamental in preparation.

Dainese confirms its commitment in researching innovative solutions for protection in dynamic sports and chooses Emirates Team New Zealand, which is at the forefront of international sailing, to explore a new field, complementing other successful collaborations that the company has established in the past.

Contents about the partnership between Dainese and Emirates Team New Zealand and about the Fukuoka race are available to the media at the following link: http://media.dainese.com

DAINESE GROUP
Founded in 1972 by Lino Dainese, Dainese produces advanced protective wear for motorcycling, biking, winter sports and equestrian use. In 2007, the company acquired the internationally renowned AGV brand to produce racing and sports helmets. In 2015, the Group expanded with the acquisition of the POC brand that is the market leader in the production of winter sports and cycling protective gear. The protective gear made by Dainese, AGV and POC showcase some of the most innovative technologies applied to dynamic sports and used by the world’s top athletes.

EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND
Emirates Team New Zealand challenging for the 35th America’s Cup to be sailed at Bermuda in 2017 is the most successful team in recent America’s Cup history. Winner of two America’s Cups (1995 and 2000), a finalist and Louis Vuitton Cup winner a further three times, Emirates Team New Zealand is the breeding ground for the world’s top sailors. The only team to ever compete in both the America’s Cup and the Volvo Ocean Round the World Race, Emirates Team New Zealand continued to diversify competing in events such as the Audi MedCup and the Extreme Sailing Series, further enhancing its reputation as a truly global entity. The team had its beginnings in the New Zealand Challenge team which contested the 1987 America’s Cup event, sailed at Fremantle, Western Australia. It is the only commercially funded sailing team to survive from the last multi-challenger America’s Cup event raced at Valencia in 2007. With some of the best sailors, most innovative designers and boat builders in the world, combined with the vision and leadership of Grant Dalton, Emirates Team New Zealand remains at the forefront of international sailing.

Source: Dispatch Communications

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