Increasingly hi-tech and fast, America’s Cup vessels expose the crews to risks that increase at exactly the same rate. You need protection to sail AC75-class yachts safely. The Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli crew turned to Dainese to create a jacket developed specifically for the most extreme regattas in the world, paying attention to the smallest detail.
Sea-Guard is the name of the garment, an innovative protector, designed specifically to be worn on America’s Cup yachts. It offers coverage on the ribs, collarbones and back. All the panels are made of soft material, a solution that offers the right balance between protection and flexibility, to leave athletes free to move on board unimpeded. But there’s more.
What sets Sea-Guard apart from any other sport protector that Dainese has ever made is its flotation certification. This is expressly required by the regulations of the 37th America’s Cup, so that the jackets are technically classified as Personal Flotation Devices. To obtain this certification, no special operations were necessary, since the ability to float is intrinsic to the materials used in Sea-Guard foam. Fine-tuning was then required to limit the bulk and give the garment the right lightness and optimal wearability.
The specialization of the device is constantly growing. Compared to the Sea-Guards brought to the race in the 2021 edition, for the 37th America’s Cup, the crews requested two versions, intended for the different roles of the crew members. Four of them are Cyclors, the other four are Trimmers. The first are positioned at aerodynamic stations and pedal hard to generate the energy that allows the vessel’s hydraulic systems to be activated. The Trimmers, on the other hand, operate the controls that move the mast and sails, exploiting the energy created by their companions.
Sea-Guard Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli illustrates obsession down to the smallest detail. It’s made from an elastic fabric, very light and resistant, perfect for guaranteeing safety and giving athletes maximum freedom of movement in all situations. The foam panels on the back extend to the coccyx, to protect the lumbar vertebrae.
New for the 37th edition of America’s Cup is the women’s trophy. The Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli women’s crew will be equipped with a new version of the garment, where Dainese has configured the characteristics of the male Sea-Guard, with dedicated sizes and fits.
An oxygen cylinder is stored in a special compartment, a fundamental aid in emergency situations such as capsizing or falling overboard. In the jackets worn by the Trimmers it’s to be found on the chest, in the one worn by the Cyclors on the back. The essential kit for each athlete also includes the intercom system, useful for communicating with other team members and with the race director, and a knife for cutting the lines in the most critical circumstances.
The attention to detail dedicated to the Sea-Guards of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli crew, as well as to those of their Emirates Team New Zealand rivals, is connected to its purpose – to cope with the extreme conditions that develop at sea, you need the utmost confidence. Having technical support capable of assisting sailors in every situation can really make a difference to a race’s outcome, especially in extreme situations like the America’s Cup, with ever greater speed and forces in play.
