Helly Hansen launches Aegir Offshore Racing collection for Volvo Ocean Race

Sponsored by Helly Hansen, Team SCA, the first all-women’s team in a decade to tackle the Volvo Ocean Race, departs Cape Town for the prestigious ocean race’s second leg. The 12-person crew will face tough heads, unpredictable pressure systems and boat-breaking seas as they race six all-male crews northeast towards Abu Dhabi.

Team SCA will work 24 hours a day to sail 38,739 continuous nautical miles in just nine months’ time. They are relying on Helly Hansen’s offshore ocean dry-tops and bottoms to keep them dry, safe, and comfortable.

The 137-year-old Norwegian company, worked closely with team SCA to create women’s-specific sailing apparel strong enough to withstand this leg’s quickly changing weather systems.

Helly Hansen’s all-new Aegir offshore racing series is named after the mythical Norse god of the sea and is built to endure around-the-globe voyages. It will be available to the public in March 2015.

The flagship Aegir Ocean Dry Top is the industry’s most advanced and versatile waterproof top for ocean racers and adventurous seafarers. Built to withstand the world’s most punishing waters, the dry top features a knee-length design with a drop-tail that reaches the calves in order to provide extreme waterproof protection from pounding waves, wind and sea spray. The lower quarter may be zipped off, transforming the dry top into a racing smock with a neoprene sea skirt, to enable greater mobility when more agile activities are required in the front of the boat. Made with further improved waterproof and breathable Helly Tech® Professional fabrics, the fully seam-sealed Aegir takes it to the next level with waterproof rubber neck and wrist cuffs, an EN-471 high-visibility hood, a Polartec® fleece-lined high collar and Solas reflective details.

The all-new Aegir Ocean Jacket offers seasoned sailors maximum protection in unruly seas. The full-zip, 3/4 length jacket is built with a fully adjustable, high-visibility hood, an extra high Polartec® fleece-lined collar, and double cuffs. The Aegir Jacket’s multi-layered waterproof, windproof and breathable Helly Tech® Professional fabrics provide advanced protection without restricting movement.

The stormproof Aegir Ocean Trouser completes the ensemble with features that protect from wind, waves and rough contact with boating equipment. The ocean racing bib and brace overalls are durable with built-in seat and knee reinforcements.

For more information, visit www.hellyhansen.com.