It's tempting for the average leisure sailor to look at the Volvo Ocean Race, or the Velux 5 Oceans, or the Route du Rhum, and think: "Well, it's all very well, but what's it got to do with me?"
We may have absolutely no interest in seeking out the huge seas and storms of the Southern Ocean, or sailing our boats to destruction, or clocking such huge speeds that we cross the frontier between adrenalin rush and sheer terror.
We may think the ocean racers who do so are somewhere between dangerously unseamanlike and absolutely barking mad. But the fact is, we all owe them a debt of gratitude. For, just as technologies developed in Formula One help to make family cars safer and longer lasting, so weekend sailors benefit from developments resulting from extreme sailing.
Take foul weather clothing, for example. In the last Volvo Ocean Race, six out of the seven teams participating chose Musto's HPX Ocean foul weather gear - and now the range has been completely upgraded, in the light of feedback from Mike Sanderson, skipper of the all-conquering ABN Amro One.
In a promotional DVD entitled Dry Run Mike Sanderson explains just why effective waterproofs are essential to staying "at the top of the game" in the round the world race. There is extraordinary footage of Volvo 70s at speed (they reach top speeds in excess of 40 knots) showing just how much water can come across the deck.
It is not the sort of spray experienced on even the windiest days in British waters. It is solid water pouring into the cockpit at times, and hitting the crew at up to 40 knots. It must be like standing in front of a fire hose.
Mike Sanderson explains that testing and development of their clothing, just as with sails, spars and everything else, continued “round the world,” and following feed back from him to Nigel Musto at sea, there would be “a new improved version by the next leg.”
The most radical change to what is already the market leading range of foul weather gear is a new, heavier fabric. Mike Sanderson explained that the sheer weight of water flying about pushed the oiles hard against the wearer's skin, reducing the insulating properties of the layering system underneath, making them feel cold and wet, even though the state of the art foul weather gear was not leaking.
The new, slightly stiffer fabric stands away from the body better, making it feel warmer and drier inside, and so more comfortable. New stretch technology and articulated limbs have also been incorporated, so that the heavier fabric is no more restrictive to wear.
The collar, hood and face guard have also been redesigned to provide better protection, more adjustability and more comfort for the wearer.
Basically, if it's good enough to keep out the Southern Ocean on a Volvo 70 at speed, it should be absolutely wonderful in our more temperate latitudes. No wonder Musto say they are “chuffed to bits” with the new range - and with Mike Sanderson's involvement and endorsement.
For more information visit www.musto.com.
