Interview with Hannah Diamond: A Journey in Professional Sailing

Hannah Diamond is a renowned professional sailor from the South Coast of the UK, known for her remarkable achievements including being a World Championship Medalist in Nacra 17, a Team GB Sailor at the Rio Olympic Test Event, a leg winner in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017/2018, securing 2nd place in the Double Handed Class at the Rolex Fastnet 2019, and sailing with the Emirates GBR SailGP Team from 2021-2024. We sat down with Hannah to learn more about her sailing journey and the role Musto gear plays in her success.

 

How did you start sailing? What age were you and who was the biggest influence in this?

I started sailing myself when I was six years old, having been brought up around boats living by the River Hamble. My Dad was a boat builder and my parents met through sailing but it has been my Mum who has been my biggest supporter from an early age up until today.

Young Hannah Sailing

 

Have you had any scary, wild experiences when sailing?

I’ve had plenty! From getting caught under a Nacra 17 trampoline, being involved in a big crash in the Volvo Ocean Race, dismasting in the Southern Atlantic Ocean but probably the scariest moment was SailGP Season 2 in San Francisco, approaching the leeward gate on starboard with France and New Zealand coming across on port and I don’t know how they both managed to avoid us as well as each other but there were only centimetres in it with all three boats doing about 40 knots boat speed!

 

Tell us something about yourself that not a lot of people would know?

I’m a pretty open person so there’s not a lot that people wouldn’t know but I like to eat my foods one by one, preferably without any of them touching in the order of least favourite to favourite!

 

What has been your most memorable sailing destination and why?

I did a race called Sail Arabia The Tour in 2017, racing from Muscat, Oman round the Musandam Peninsula and finishing in Dubai, warm water, good breeze, stunning coastline scenery around countries I didn’t know a huge amount about. It was an amazing experience with fantastic sailing and a lot of culture thrown in!

 

How do you prepare for international sailing trips? What are some essential items you always pack?

For the last 12 years I have mostly been living out of a suitcase for various International Sailing trips, so I have a bit of a packing routine now. I always make sure that I check the forecast before I go because it’s easy to make an assumption about a venue but often if it’s windy it can end up being colder than you would expect. On the list of essential items are a waterproof jacket, wooly hat, cap and sunglasses.

 

What are your top three favourite sailing destinations and what makes each unique?

That’s a tough one, I’ve been so lucky to sail literally around the world and also in so many incredible venues and they are all amazing and challenging in their own way. Lake Garda has to be up there, again for the scenery whilst you are racing as well as the reliable breeze but I don’t find the racing that interesting with it quite often being a one way track. I have spent the last 3 months in Barcelona training for the Women’s America’s Cup with the Athena Pathway Programme and it is certainly a challenging venue with some powerful swell that rolls in from the East. I really love racing in the Solent, especially in a South Easterly, it’s so tricky and even though I’ve been racing there for many years, the strong tides make it a really interesting and complex venue that really keeps you on your toes! It also means I can stay at home for a change!

What are your top Musto gear picks for sailing, and why do you prefer them?

I have been lucky enough to wear Musto for my dinghy sailing, through the Southern Ocean and into foiling boats and the fact that they have kit that covers the amazing breadth of our sport means that I know they will have something for me, whatever I am doing on the water. My top picks are:

• Evolution Sunblock Longsleeve T Shirt 2.0 – it works really well for keelboat sailing on the water but also on shore if you’re changing out of a wetsuit after sailing and still want some sun protection – super comfy and lightweight.
• LPX Gore-Tex jacket – really lightweight, breathable and waterproof and again can be worn on the water whilst racing but also looks great on shore.
• Flexilite Alumin 3.0 Longjohn – this wetsuit is really flexible but also has Kevlar reinforcement in all the right places! You can wear it all year round which makes it a real kit bag staple.

Shop the full Musto collection here.

 

How does Musto's gear enhance your performance during races and training?

One of the best things about Musto gear is that you don’t notice it whilst you’re racing so you can totally focus on the performance. Some classes are really physical so you need to be able to move freely without feeling restricted. The fit is great and there is a piece of kit for every condition. For example, you can team the Flexilite Alumin 3.0 Longjohn really nicely with a Flexilite Vapour 1.0 Longsleeve top on a warmer day.

 

Are there specific products or features that you find particularly beneficial?

The main thing is the quality of the kit, it’s really durable and lasts well. Across the range, there is flexibility to ensure you can move without restriction and reinforcement where needed. You can tell that Musto really value the feedback provided by sailors and you can see where this has been integrated into the kit to ensure it is constantly evolving and improving.

 

Can you describe a situation where Musto gear made a significant difference in your sailing experience?

When sailing offshore, the kit is so important – you don’t have many comforts and when you’re at sea for a number of days and nights so you really need to make sure you have the right kit – not only for performance but also to help regulate your temperature, keep your base layers dry and ensure you don’t get any skin irritation from salt water which can lead to sores or infections. The Women’s MPX trouser has enough storage to keep your safety essentials in your pockets (plus some snacks!), fits really nicely and are nice and lightweight so you can move around the boat efficiently.

 

What Musto items do you consider must-haves for any sailor’s kit?

• For dinghy sailing, definitely the Flexilite Alumin 3.0 Longjohn, works across all seasons teamed with either a 3.0, 1.0 or RashVest top.
• MPX Gore-tex Race Pro Dry Smock for any sailing where you have a lot of water, this can be in dinghies or small keelboats, the neck seal will keep you nice and dry and the material is super lightweight so if you are dinghy sailing you aren’t restricted in any of your upper body movements.
• Evolution Sunblock Longsleeve T Shirt – great both on and off the water, really nice UV protection and comfortable.

 

How does Musto gear help you adapt to all the challenges you face when sailing?

Musto gear has been a constant throughout my varied sailing career and I know that within the collection, there is something that suits my needs at that time. I know that the sizing is reliable, the kit is durable and in a sport with so many variables that are out of our control it is really nice to have something that I know will be suitable for whatever type of sailing I am doing.

 

How do you care for and maintain your Musto equipment to ensure it lasts?

I always ensure that I rinse my kit thoroughly to get all of the salt water off and prevent any damage. Each product has specific care instructions so I make sure to check these. I re-proof my Gore-tex waterproof items as needed to make sure they are in good shape before I need them! Most important of all I make sure I properly dry my kit before putting it away - especially at the end of a season so that I know when I need it again after a period of storage that it is ready to go!

 

 

What new Musto products are you excited about?

One thing I am excited about from the Musto collection is the BR1 Solent Sailing Jacket, it's a great all-rounder.

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