SLAM: Revolutionizing Sailing Garments

SLAM was born on December 19, 1979, in Genoa, the result of the vision and passion of four friends: Gian Andrea Zucchi, Luigi Monaco d’Arianello, Giovanni Crosio, and Andrea Laura. United by their love for the sea, sailing, and regattas, they set out to revolutionize technical sailing garments in Italy. Their journey began with a simple question: Is there a type of clothing that can enhance the sailing experience?

At that time, the answer was no. This sparked an innovative idea: they chose Thermal Fleece, commonly known as
"pile," as their material of choice. While pile was mainly used for stuffed animals and interior linings, SLAM’s founders recognized its potential for sailing.
They noticed that English sailors were already using it in competitions and decided to introduce it to the Italian market.
This decision marked the beginning of a revolution.

On December 19, 1979, these four friends delivered the first pile-made sailing sweaters to several boats participating in the Winter Championship, forever changing the perception of technical sailing garments. Since then, SLAM has consistently pursued new yarns and materials, ensuring that everything the textile industry offers can be adapted for use at sea by sailors and athletes.
From their historic headquarters in Piazza S. Matteo, within the 14th-century Palazzo del Capitano Domenicaccio Doria, SLAM began producing and selling their first garments, establishing a maritime identity and becoming a symbol of innovation and quality in the sailing world.

SLAM was the first to introduce a high-quality waterproof jacket to Italy: the High Seas, comprising bib pants, a vest, and a jacket, made from innovative materials such as Oxford nylon, polyester fiber, polyurethane foam, nylon tricot, and PVC. This jacket achieved significant success, accompanying athletes like the Italian team in the 1988 Sardinia Cup and Olympic athletes in 2000, who won two medals wearing SLAM gear.

SLAM also pioneered the production of a three-layer stretch fabric jacket, designed for the BMW Oracle Racing Team.
This garment was a perfect blend of technicality and comfort, ensuring high performance even in the most challenging conditions.

SLAM’s offerings have extended beyond sailing garments to include successful shoes and accessories.
One notable example is the Mistral Shoes and the Velcro wallet, introduced in the 1990s.
The Mistral Shoes were practical and functional, featuring soft rubber soles and breathable fabric derived from cycling gear. These shoes were a hit, leading to unprecedented advancements with the Boat Shoes and Pro Sailing
Shoes, showcasing SLAM’s ongoing commitment to research and innovation in footwear.

The Velcro wallet, on the other hand, was the first SLAM accessory not specifically designed for racers but aimed at a broader audience. It was immensely successful, marking SLAM's initial venture beyond the sailing world.

Over time, the range of accessories has expanded to include backpacks and bags, hats, belts, and sailing gloves.

Since its inception, SLAM has supported professional sailors, not only by providing them with top-quality technical garments, tested under extreme conditions to ensure exceptional performance, but also by fostering a relationship of trust and attentiveness.

One prominent example is Pierre Fehlmann, the famous Swiss ocean sailor, who wore SLAM gear during his most challenging competitions, fully trusting in the technicality of SLAM products.
His connection with SLAM went beyond competition; he once remarked that whenever he was in Porto Cervo, he never missed visiting the SLAM sailing store, where he would buy some sportswear. He still uses SLAM bags that were part of the crew’s gear during the Whitbread.

Another significant partnership is with Emirates Team New Zealand, for which SLAM is the official clothing supplier for the America’s Cup. This collaboration has led to the development and testing of new technologies and materials to enhance the crew’s performance during the America’s Cup. The garments created for ETNZ combine technicality and comfort, ensuring high performance even in the most challenging conditions.

Enrico Chieffi, CEO of SLAM, emphasized that this collaboration goes beyond providing clothing; it is a true partnership based on innovation and determination for success.

Not to be overlooked is the RS21 Mentoring Program, which offers young sailors the opportunity to train and learn from the best, developing the technical and strategic skills essential to becoming professionals. The support for the young RS21 sailors includes not only technical garments but also educational and technical support, building a solid foundation for the future of sailing.

Over the years, SLAM has continued to evolve, promoting sustainable practices and offering products made from environmentally friendly materials.

The story of SLAM is an exciting journey that transformed a group of friends into leaders in the technical sailing garments industry. Continuing to push beyond their limits, SLAM remains committed to offering the best to sailors around the world.