Just in time for its long-awaited home debut, the New Zealand SailGP Team’s official merchandise range with partner Rodd & Gunn hits shelves today, available in all New Zealand Rodd & Gunn stores and online.
The new range will form the team’s ‘onshore kit,’ to be worn while traveling and when the Kiwis aren’t competing on the water. The full supporter range includes a bomber jacket, long and short sleeve polos, a luxurious knit, a hoodie, tee shirts and more.
The inspiration for the range came from the sport of sailing itself, and specifically SailGP, said Rodd & Gunn Creative Director John Prikryl.
“Powered by nature is such a strong ethos and that philosophy is shared with Rodd & Gunn - it’s in our DNA. Combining performance with natural fabrics was the inspiration for the range, and the design challenge itself,” said Prikryl.
That design challenge led Prikryl and the team at Rodd & Gunn to explore the use of innovative materials, designed to be good for people and the planet, including organic cotton, combined with Seacell, a textile fibre derived from sustainably-sourced Icelandic seaweed.
“SeaCell is an innovative and sustainable fabric material that combines a cellulose fibre with a kelp yarn which is naturally derived. The kelp is grown wild in Iceland and harvested every four years in a sustainable manner,” explained Prikryl.
In addition to being lightweight, breathable and moisture wicking, the inclusion of Seacell means garments also contain traces of nutrients found naturally in the seaweed, including iron, magnesium, calcium and vitamins A, B12, C and E - giving the New Zealand SailGP Team a competitive edge, even while relaxing.
Previewing the new range at last month’s KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix | Sydney, New Zealand SailGP Team co-CEO Blair Tuke said, “It's been awesome to have Rodd & Gunn with us here in Sydney, and to preview our new team range for the first time. It’s been a lot of hard work over the last year and we’re stoked as a team with how it’s all come together.”
Rodd & Gunn came onboard as the Official Merchandise Partner for the New Zealand SailGP Team at the start of Season 3, and the launch of the new range marks an important milestone in the four-year partnership with the iconic Kiwi label.
“Pete [Burling] and I have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Rodd & Gunn and it’s great to have them with us on our journey in SailGP. For them to put so much effort into designing a range that not only looks great, but will help us to reduce our impact as a team over time is huge for us. We can’t wait to wear the new kit going forward, and to see it on fans at our first home event in Ōtautahi, Christchurch later this month,” Tuke said.
The new range will also be available for purchase on-site at the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch, 18-19 March 2023.
