As Season 4 of SailGP gets into full swing with the second US event of the series, Zhik is excited to announce its partnership as official Technical Apparel Supplier of the Germany SailGP Team.
This newly formed team made their debut at the Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix in Chicago in June this year, the first event of the season, and were able to showcase their potential mixing it with the veteran teams whilst having minimal lead up training. Led by two-time Olympic bronze medallist and Zhik Team athlete Erik Heil, the team includes a star-studded line up including multiple Olympic medallists Kahena Kunze and Stuart Bithell MBE, along with many other of the world’s top sailors.
The team is backed by some strong business and sports individuals including entrepreneur and investor Thomas Riedel of Riedel Communications, along with co-investor and four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel. Both are familiar with high performance sporting environments and team management, so will play a pivotal part in ensuring the German team is able to learn and grow in this inaugural season.
Zhik has had an ever-growing presence in the German sailing scene with a strong connection to many trade partners including well known wholesaler Peter Frisch GMBH along with a group of the country’s top sailing individual athletes and teams.
“This is another exciting partnership for Zhik as we solidify ourselves as a top brand in one of the highest and most competitive series in the sailing world,” comments Mat Belcher, Zhik CEO and triple Olympic medallist. “Zhik is working to continually expand its reach in the sailing market globally and showcase the quality of our sailing equipment, so being able to support the Germany SailGP Team as they look to take on the world’s best is a great fit. We work very closely with many water sports stores across Europe including Germany, so working to build the Zhik brand in their customers region is a win for both.”
Erik Heil, Germany SailGP Team Driver explains, “It is great to be able to have support from Zhik as I and the Germany SailGP Team embark on this journey. I have been partnered with Zhik for some time now so, when we needed to find a brand to supply technical clothing this was an easy choice.”
Johnny Rodgers, Zhik Global Sponsorship Manager adds, “Over the years Zhik has built some very strong relationships across many sailing disciplines and competitions. So, to be able to continue supporting and working with a previous Zhik athlete, Erik Heil, as he progresses and builds this world class team is a very exciting endeavour. The partnerships that we are forming with all the SailGP teams directly impacts and supports the development of Zhik as a brand and the technical gear that Zhik is able to produce for sailors all over the world.”
