The 2025 Ocean Race Europe is a sprint with the pressure of a marathon — a high-stakes test across some of Europe’s most unpredictable waters. For Paprec Arkéa, skippered by the world-renowned Yoann Richomme, this race marks a pivotal transition from solo endurance to crewed intensity. With Zhik onboard as the official gear partner, this long-standing collaboration continues to deliver innovative, sustainable performance apparel designed for one thing: winning. Together, we're not just racing across Europe, we're setting the standard for what's possible offshore.
A Race That Redefines Europe
Returning for its second edition, the 2025 Ocean Race Europe is more than a sprint, it’s a showcase of offshore mastery. The course connects Europe’s iconic waters, from the Baltic Sea to Boka Bay, threading through the North Sea, English Channel, and Mediterranean. It’s the first time The Ocean Race will compete on the Adriatic, underscoring the event’s message of "Connecting Europe" through performance, sustainability, and sporting excellence. For IMOCA-class competitors like Paprec Arkéa, it’s a proving ground and a battleground.
The Transition: From Solo Mastery to Crewed Precision
With strong performances in recent offshore solo campaigns like the Route du Rhum and the 2024 Vendée Globe, skipper Yoann Richomme is now leading his team into the complexity of a fully crewed format. The transition is both technical and tactical. Paprec Arkéa will line up against six other elite IMOCA teams — all hungry for podium finishes. But with a seasoned skipper, a refined crew, and the backing of gear built for the extremes, the team is more than prepared.
“It’s an opportunity to shift our vision, from a single-person rhythm to a shared intensity,” says Richomme. “We need gear that lets us stay sharp, agile, and ready to react as one.”
That shared intensity relies on more than teamwork, it demands gear that performs in every condition. Whether grinding through icy spray in the North Sea or concentrating under blistering Mediterranean sun, the Paprec Arkéa crew trusts gear that’s been tested, refined, and proven offshore.
Built for Europe’s Toughest Waters
From unpredictable North Sea weather to the relentless heat of the Mediterranean, offshore conditions demand gear that goes beyond expectations. It’s not just about keeping dry or staying cool, it’s about maintaining peak performance when the elements are challenging and relentless. Zhik has partnered with Paprec Arkéa for multiple seasons, working side-by-side with Yoann Richomme to develop and refine kit that delivers in the most punishing race environments, from the fierce conditions of the Fastnet Race to the solo intensity of the Vendée Globe.
"We'll be crossing the North Sea, the English Channel, the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean," Yoann recalls. " We'll have to deal with the weather, the current, the proximity of the coasts... It's extremely varied and extremely interesting."
Latest-generation Zhik gear provides dynamic protection, breathability, and freedom of movement with sustainability at its core. Every garment is engineered to help sailors stay focused, responsive, and protected in the harshest offshore conditions. Whether battling spray during a night watch or enduring intense heat under canvas, this gear is trusted by elite crews to perform without compromise.
- OFS800 Ocean Jacket and Salopette: Built in partnership with eVent® Fabrics utilising 3-layer high performance Bi-component Membrane, this jacket offers elite-level durability and breathability while remaining lightweight and highly manouverable. Engineered for serious offshore performance, it features fully seam-taped construction, a high-cut offshore collar with quick-dry fleece lining, an adjustable high-visibility hood, and a double storm flap front for maximum protection. Tested across 25,000 nautical miles the OFS800 is designed for full-day wear in demanding conditions, delivering comfort, reliability, and weather resistance without compromise.
- Seaboot 700: Lightweight performance seaboots engineered for offshore agility and comfort. Created in partnership with eVent® Fabrics and featuring Soles by Michelin®, the Seaboot 700 combines cutting-edge waterproof technology with elite grip performance. The extremely lightweight and flexible design provides sneaker-like agility and manoeuvrability, while fully protecting the feet from the elements. A low-profile build enhances freedom of movement, while integrated drainage channels and breathable construction keep feet dry and secure through extended heavy-weather sailing. With an athletic fit and reinforced ankle support, these boots deliver race-ready responsiveness across shifting decks and demanding manoeuvres.
- UVActive Tops: Certified UPF50+ rated and constructed with moisture-wicking, quick-dry technology, the UVActive tops provide essential protection for long hours of high-exposure daytime sailing. These tops serve as a barrier against harmful UV rays, while actively managing heat and perspiration. Their lightweight, breathable fabric helps regulate core temperature, reducing fatigue and preventing sunburn, crucial for maintaining focus, hydration, and overall endurance throughout the most demanding legs of the race.
- Deck Shorts: Designed for versatility and endurance, Zhik's Deck Shorts are built to handle the constant movement and physicality of offshore racing. Reinforced in high-wear zones and crafted from water-repellent, quick-dry fabric, they provide durable protection and comfort whether crouching on deck or scrambling through the cockpit. With multiple utility pockets and an ergonomic cut that allows full range of motion, they’re a reliable choice for race crew needing both functionality and speed.
- Surge Performance Shoes: Built for offshore endurance and inshore agility, Surge Performance Shoes deliver responsive cushioning, breathable support, and maximum grip underfoot. Featuring a lightweight mesh upper for ventilation, quick-drainage design, and a technical sole for multidirectional traction, they are ideal for extended shifts on deck, rapid manoeuvres, or high-output moments during coastal legs. Whether worn for long offshore stages or fast-paced port approaches, they’re designed to reduce fatigue, dry fast, and perform across every mile.
- Cell Puffer Jacket: Lightweight, insulated, and packable, the Cell Puffer Jacket is engineered to provide instant warmth before and after intense on-water sessions. Its synthetic insulation retains heat even when damp, while the windproof outer shell shields crew members from chill on breezy decks or during dockside prep. Made with 100% recycled synthetic fill and a PFC-free water-repellent coating, the jacket combines performance with a reduced environmental impact. Highly compressible and easy to stow, it’s the ideal layer for recovery, travel, and cooler legs of the race where thermal regulation and sustainable design matter most.
- ZhikMotion Tops: Made from 250gsm recycled polyester, these breathable, stretch-infused performance layers act as a second skin, delivering warmth, flexibility and quick-drying comfort. Ideal for layering beneath outer shells during cold night watches or worn solo in milder climates, ZhikMotion Tops give the crew versatility without compromise. The slim, contoured fit allows for unrestricted movement during high-intensity manoeuvres, while advanced moisture-wicking properties pull sweat away from the body to help regulate temperature and prevent discomfort. With a sustainable construction that doesn’t compromise performance, they’re a go-to thermal layer for changing offshore conditions.
Every piece of gear worn by the Paprec Arkéa team represents Zhik’s pursuit of technical excellence, refined through constant testing and athlete collaboration. Our design philosophy combines advanced materials and construction techniques with a deep commitment to sustainability, from eco-conscious fabrics and PFC-free coatings to reduced-impact adhesives and recycled content. It's not just about protection or performance in isolation; it's about building gear that can go the distance, adapt to extremes, and minimise environmental impact at every stage. Because pushing performance should never come at the cost of the planet.
Performance Through Partnership
This partnership is built on shared values: technical innovation, sustainable progress, and a refusal to settle for second best. Zhik’s design team has worked directly with Richomme and crew to prototype, test, and refine gear in the toughest environments - not in the lab, but on the water.
As the team enters Ocean Race Europe, every decision, every movement, and every piece of gear matters. We’re proud to be part of that journey, because when it’s all on the line, performance isn’t optional. It’s essential.
“In a race like the Fastnet, you learn quickly what works and what doesn't. We tested ourselves and our equipment to the edge,” - Yoann Richomme.
