Musto returns to America’s Cup by signing up with Groupama Team France

by Groupama Team France on 27 May 2016 By signing up with Groupama Team France, Musto, one of the world’s leading brand of technical marine clothing for the past 50 years, is returning to the America’s Cup circuit after accompanying Team New Zealand to victory in 1995. With a year to go till the 35th Cup, Musto is providing the French team with its support and expertise.

Musto is relying on over 50 years of experience in the manufacturing of technical marine clothing that has been thoroughly tested and widely approved by the most famous skippers in the world. Created by Olympic medallist Keith Musto, the silhouette of his boat, a Flying Dutchman, appears on all the brand’s equipment and is globally recognised as proof of excellence.

The Musto products are trialled in the most extreme environments in the world and under laboratory conditions so as to constantly break new ground and offer a range of high performance, hard-wearing products that users can count on.

Musto, the team’s partner through until 2017, is working with Groupama Team France to supply it with the most competitive equipment possible in its quest for excellence.

Adapted technical clothing

The primary focus of the collaboration between Musto and Groupama Team France is linked to the technical clothing worn by the sailors. The latter will be donning a special outfit geared towards high speed sailing on catamarans. In agreement with the sailors, the developers have to come to a compromise between several elements. Indeed, the suit must be able to retain heat and protect against impact, whilst favouring aerodynamics. Naturally all of these factors must retain a certain flexibility so that there is freedom of movement.

This is why Musto, which has taken inspiration from the protective gear worn by motorcyclists and skiers, is one of the first companies in the marine world to use the “D 3.0” brand technology, a flexible foam that hardens on contact, thus absorbing shock. The suit for the French team competing in the 35th America’s Cup is reinforced with this foam in seven key areas: the tibia, the knee, the hip, the back, the shoulders, the elbows and the forearms. A safety jacket, it too reinforced, completes the outfit.

Meantime, Musto and Groupama Team France have jointly developed a limited edition of Lifestyle clothing, which will kit out the entire team.

This kit comprises a light blue jacket (Snug), a red gilet (Crozier jacket), as well as T-Shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, a cap and shorts, not to mention a small, practical bag suitable for any occasion.

Quotes:

Peter Smith – CEO Musto: “Our last participation in the America’s Cup dates back to 1995 when we teamed up with Russell Coutts for his historic victory with Team New Zealand. Our products are developed and tested by and for the world’s top athletes. We are very proud to be working with Groupama Team France and this partnership will enable us to continue our quest for excellence among the top sailors. The next two years are going to be both fantastic and stimulating for all our teams.”

Bruno Dubois, Team Manager Groupama Team France: “When we were looking for a clothing partner for Groupama Team France, Nigel Musto was on it straightaway. We’ve known each other for a long time and Nigel and I have already worked together on previous projects. He is the heir to a brand that knows how to listen to sailors and he has his finger on the pulse in terms of satisfying their needs. His level of technical requirement is akin to ours. I’m delighted about this collaboration and I’d like to thank Musto for its support.”