Helly Hansen congratulate Team SCA for Volvo Ocean Race Leg 8 win

Team SCA, the first all-female team in a decade to tackle the notoriously challenging Volvo Ocean Race, on Thursday sailed into Lorient, France to claim first place in front of the other six all-male crews. Team SCA's 12 female sailors have worked around the clock for days on end to play the shifts, currents, wind and waves in their favour on this excruciating upwind leg – with success.

“We are thrilled to see the women claim a well-deserved place atop of the podium after putting in such terrific efforts over the last two years,” said Erik Burbank, VP Brand and Marketing at Helly Hansen. “While we're proud of the team for this historic victory, we are equally proud to be part of such a hardworking, focused and passionate team of professionals, working together to achieve their goals.”

Helly Hansen has worked closely with Team SCA to create a women's-specific sailing kit strong enough to withstand the full 38,000 nautical miles of boat-crushing waves and unpredictable winds sailed during Volvo Ocean Race. As late as during the Lisbon stopover the Helly Hansen product department was on site to work with the team in their continuous strive to improve and refined their kit to be more competitive and comfortable.

“Often our Ocean Gear is the only barrier between the sailors and the elements,” said Richard Collier, VP Product at Helly Hansen. “We have worked closely with the team for nearly two years to develop next-generation sailing gear capable of keeping them safe in the ocean's harshest environments – and we're still at it improving details and functionality.”