Partners
Musto
One year after winning an Olympic Silver Medal in the Flying Dutchman class during the Tokyo Olympics, Keith Musto joined forces with Eddie Hyde to create Musto and Hyde Sailmakers.
Keith soon realized that sailing clothing was particularly wanting. In the 60s there was none of the lightweight, waterproof and breathable materials that have become so commonplace. It was either keep the water out with heavy, stiff, sweaty PVC, or get wet wearing natural fabrics. So, while Eddie Hyde continued to make the successful sails that still bear his name, Keith Musto started making breakthrough clothing and accessories in the 70s, and finally made the complete break in 1980, forming MUSTO Ltd.
Through the 80s and into the 90s, MUSTO continued to make breakthrough clothing, moving from their starting point in dinghy clothing to make a name for themselves in the offshore world. The French singlehanded sailors soon realized the benefits of offshore clothing that would keep them warm and dry therefore allowing them to work at maximum efficiency. The Transat, the Vendee and then the fully crewed Whitbread – later the Volvo Ocean Race - became almost the exclusive province of MUSTO clothing.
In 1995 a chance provision of a set of clothing for a young sailor named Ellen MacArthur who wanted to sail around Britain, started a relationship that continues to this day. All Ellen’s achievements have been with MUSTO and her new Team Ellen is fully equipped with MUSTO clothing. MUSTO clothing is worn by all the top ocean sailing achievers: Francis Joyon – who took Ellen’s Round the World record - wore MUSTO.
MUSTO has agreed to become the Official Clothing Supplier of the Global Ocean Race 2011-12 and we look forward to sporting their stylish, practical clothes around the world.
“ MUSTO is delighted to be linked again with the Global Ocean Race," said Nigel Musto, Keith Musto’s son and now the company's Managing Director. "Throughout our history we have been associated with the frontier events of our sport – the Transat, the Vendee, the Route de Rhum – and with the sailors that take part – Ellen MacArthur, Mike Golding, Francis Joyon and more. Now with the Global Ocean Race 2011-12 we continue our involvement with this great event."
Josh Hall, Race Director, has used MUSTO gear extensively in both the Around Alone and Vendee Globe. “I know from my own offshore sailing experience that one of the most important aspects of being competitive is to have good sailing gear,” he said. “I have always relied on MUSTO gear. It’s as simple as this: when you are offshore and the weather is bad you want the best, and MUSTO is the best. We are very happy that they will work with us to get our competitors the clothing they need for their own safe and successful circumnavigations.”
