Matt Allen steered Ichi Ban to its third podium finish in the blue water classic Sydney to Hobart yacht race. The last three years has seen Ichi Ban take a second and two thirds. Ichi Ban is also second in division 0, for yachts with canting keels, this year.

Zhik Team members in the laser fleets continue their winning ways at Sail Melbourne. This time it is Matias Del Solar, from Chile, that rose to the top, with an outstanding performance to take Gold in the Laser at the first regatta of the new ISAF Sailing World Cup.

At this years METS in Amsterdam, Zhik gave a sneak preview to what's coming in 2009 to the dealers. New gear from Zhik in 2009 is all in the Dry Gear range, and will include some wonderful racing jackets, smocks and salopettes in the remarkable Zhik Isotak material.

Zhik shows the lead in supporting Australian sailing with more than a dozen Australian National championships sponsored this season, in addition to many clubs, and other local regattas.

Mike Leigh (CAN), the highest ranked Laser at the Sydney International Regatta, proved his status with a clear win in the Sydney International Regatta. "It is clear to me that this guy means business for the next quadrenium" remarked Brian Conolly, founder of Zhik, "he has been resting since Qingdao but is already setting the pace for Weymouth".