SLAM's Laboratory
SLAM’s high-tech “floating laboratory” has fine tuned high performance clothing for Top International Sailing Teams.
Research conducted to find the most suitable fibers, the use of innovative finishes which use the latest in nanotechnology and numerous scientifically measured performance tests, made the creation of a series of technologically advanced “limited edition” garments possible.
SLAM, at the side of the Italian Sailing Federation as its official supplier for many years now, has been focusing its research on providing the best support to the athletes, in terms of technical clothing.
SLAM’s Research & Development department has worked tirelessly to find the best solutions possible for the clothes athletes wear during the regattas; thanks to its input of and close collaboration of with all of the Top teams which compete, wearing the SLAM label, in the seas the world over… from Europe to the USA, from Asia to Australia. SLAM’s team of expert testers participate in the most technically demanding and diverse sailing classes such as the Transpac 52, Melges 32 and Melges 24, International Etchells, IRC Class, not forgetting of course, the specific Olympic classes.
The R & D department worked particularly close with the Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino to conduct studies into new yarns, new fabrics, and new solutions which would respond best to both climatic conditions and to the biomechanics of the athlete aboard a sailboat.
A “Slam Top”, was designed for the Italian National Team and the world’s top sailing teams. In conjunction with the University of Milan, a detailed sailor’s “body map” was produced to enable in-depth studies to be made of the situations in which the athlete will find them. This “body map” reflects the body’s critical points during sailing related tasks.
Scientific tests conducted by SLAM in order to experiment with and compare prototypes of these new products, SLAM staged a series of new tests at the LATT Laboratory in Biella, an organization which works in R & D for new materials and applications for the textile sector, and in close collaboration, with the Politecnico di Torino’s Department for Material Science and Chemical Engineering.
In short, true and proper scientific research to evaluate the performance of a SLAM Top (manufactured using technical fabrics) during sports activities, compared with another “control” garment of the same construction, but made entirely from cotton.
All the activity in order to provide athletes with the maximum technical benefits available from today’s fabric industry, and to contribute to improving their performance.
