Shootin’ the Breeze...

...with Lucy Davis, a Sailing Designer with technical clothing provider Musto.

QTell us about your role at Musto.

LD: I am Sailing Designer, but I was previously a Product Developer working with the design team and liaising directly with our factories on the production and development of our technical sailing collections. Within my role as Sailing Designer, I am able to lean on my development background and really understand what information the factories need to build these highly technical garments.

QCan you explain the new technology in the HPX collection being launched this year?

LD: The new HPX collection is technology packed and I could fill several pages describing it all, so I will stick to a few key elements.

Firstly, the HPX collection is now a complete threelayer system, with base layers, mid-layers and foul weather outerwear utilising different waterproof, thermal and abrasion resistant technologies (to name a few) designed to work in harmony with one another to ensure the highest levels of comfort and protection in the harshest conditions.

With foul weather outerwear we are using GORETEX’s new pro membrane, which still offers high levels of waterproofing and breathability but is now even more durable. We have chosen a face fabric with a very tightly woven construction meaning the surface of the fabric will wet out (saturate and become heavy and cold) more slowly. The fabric is also Blue Sign approved with a 100 per cent recycled polyamide face and solution dyed backer (solution dying is a water-less dying process), so as well as upgrading the performance we have a much more sustainable collection than previous generations.

We developed the XVR modular collar system in collaboration with 11th Hour Racing Team who needed adaptable kit due to reduced space onboard their IMOCA 60. The external collar and hood on the smock and drysuit are completely detachable negating the need for a separate dry smock.

Safety is a major concern for Clipper Race sailors (we partner with the race to supply all the clothing), who must wear life vests when on deck. Taking this into consideration we developed a top loading, helmet compatible hood to reduce the bulk at the back of the neck when worn with a life vest. We also moved the pockets, so the life vest does not restrict access to tools or GPS devices.

QWhat kind of research and development goes into new technology at Musto?

LD: The first point of call when developing new kit is always speaking to our ambassadors; many of the world’s leading sailors race in Musto and their feedback and insight is invaluable.

We worked very closely with 11th Hour Racing Team in developing the new HPX three-layer system, which happened to coincide with the development of their IMOCA 60. The covered cockpit and reduced space onboard changed the requirements of the kit and presented us with new challenges, hence the development of the XVR hood.

We also got incredibly valuable feedback from our Clipper sailors who experience very different conditions on the exposed decks of the Clipper 70 yachts.

Once we have established what is required of the kit we will reach out to our technology partners including GORE-TEX and PrimaLoft to discuss how best to meet those requirements.

Fabric technology is always evolving, which has enabled us to create truly breathable yet highly water resistant mid-layers by combining GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ (GORE-TEX’s most breathable membrane) with PrimaLoft gold active insulation.

QHow long does the R&D process to being on sale usually take?

LD: The development time varies depending on the type of product and its end use. HPX is designed for prolonged use in extremely harsh conditions (e.g. during The Ocean Race) so we need extended periods of testing on the water to be confident that any new fabric technologies or garment constructions are performing to Musto’s high standards.

We have worked on fabric development with GORETEX almost continually since 1994 and this HPX range has been three years in development; that time has given us the opportunity to experiment, test, make sure we exceed our ambassadors’ needs and create outstanding products.

QWhat other technology is Musto working on?

LD: The development of the foiling classes has seen boat speeds increase significantly. It can be pretty tricky moving around a boat travelling 40+ knots and our sailors are experiencing more impact injuries.

We worked closely with SailGP Team France to provide impact protection with the LPX Foiling Long John (which they are big fans of and have nicknamed the ‘Mad Max pants’) and are currently developing impact protection options for other categories. We are in the testing phase at the moment so it will be a few seasons yet before you see anything, but it is very cool.

QWhat would you say are the staple items of sailing clothing worth investing in?

LD: I would invest in a really good pair of waterproof trousers. The HPX salopettes protect a large part of the body and are built to withstand rough seas and decks. It is the product that gets used the most on the water and where you will feel the benefit of the GORE-TEX Pro membrane.

QTell us something people might not know about you.

LD: Many years ago, I appeared on the children’s television show Beat the Boss as the ‘expert designer’ - one month into my first design job. I was not entirely happy about this so did not mention it to anyone, and my parents only found out when a friend told them they had seen me on TV!