Spinlock support INEOS Britannia with performance, purpose, and safety in their quest to win the America’s Cup
British marine industry specialist Spinlock has today announced a renewed partnership with INEOS Britannia, the America’s Cup team led by the world’s most successful Olympic sailor Sir Ben Ainslie, becoming the Official Personal Flotation Device Supplier of the Team.
Having worked with the team on all three of their previous attempts to win the Americas Cup, Spinlock were excited to be given the chance to join the team again. With strong feedback and commentary from several teams members, Spinlock have been quick to identify new flotation designs which offer the crews a new generation of flotation even more suited to the design of yacht and crew functions. Racing in Villanova at the Preliminary Regatta the team wore for the first time their new ‘AC PRO’ flotation, which offers different tailoring and shaping for both cyclors and trimmers. Furthermore, as a brand focused on innovation, Spinlock has introduced a new style of flotation which is minimalist in its size and weight, activated only when needed and providing more buoyancy when required.
In the course of development of AC PRO Spinlock have worked to reduce as much as possible our carbon footprint through the reduction of ‘dirty’ materials and using components sourced and assembled in the UK. Being B-Corp Certified continually challenges us to be accountable to make a positive impact from our design and product development.
Speaking about the innovative new partnership Myles Uren, Product Manager for Spinlock comments “The new AC PRO model is a new style in flotation which provides a very lightweight structure to support the crew carried equipment such as air and comms equipment, which can then be inflated when required to provide a massive 75 newtons of buoyancy. We have worked hard to develop a new product which is very lightweight and unrestrictive for the crew, sailing in their very confined spaces, cooler in the hotter climates and each PFD tailored to the crew and their role. Cyclors and trimmers and not wearing the same, they are wearing a PFD tailored to their roll, with air and comms equipment mounted to provide the least discomfort. In the event of a MOB or capsize the AC PRO allows the crew to swim, dive and move more easily, unrestricted, before inflating manually when flotation is required. The inflatable support is high visibility and at 75N sits the wearer high out of the water, allowing safety crews to identify quickly.
As well INEOS Britannia, Spinlock will be providing specific flotation for the Athena Pathway team, racing in the Youth and Puig Women’s Americas Cup and for both shore team and guest programs.
INEOS Britannia sailor Luke Parkinson outlines the impressive partnership with Spinlock; “The AC Pro Lifejacket design and production process o has been the ultimate performance collaboration, Spinlock has been very specific to our needs and quickly reacted to any of our feedback, it’s a epic piece of kit."