Please note: A few days after recording this video, Annie and the rest of GUYOT environnement - Team Europe experienced what all sailors fear during an ocean race. Just as they dipped into the zone below 40 degrees south, around 600 nautical miles from the start of the third leg of The Ocean Race, the crew noticed cracking and movement in the hull structure below the laminate. The damage was so serious that a safe continuation of the stage from Cape Town to Itajaí, Brazil, was not possible. They decided to suspend racing and return to Cape Town. We are happy the whole crew is safe and can't wait to see them back in the race soon. 

The most important part of the clothing is the waterproof gear. Annie recommends the Modular Smock, which offers options to zip off or zip on the hood and the collar. The trousers designed for ocean sailing are the most waterproof and durable design we offer, and they also have built-in knee pads.

Annie packs merino wool base layers for sailing, because the natural fibers wick sweat away much better and dry quickly. She has different thicknesses of merino for different parts of the body, and she recommends layering.

Annie recommends using fleece for the next layer. She likes it because it dries quickly and is comfortable to wear. She has two layers of fleece, a standard one and a thicker one. In addition, she brings a gilet to add some core warmth without limiting movement, and when it gets really cold and wet, she puts on a midlayer jacket.

When it comes to what she describes as her "hardcore Southern Ocean gear", Annie has ski gloves from Helly Hansen, thick diving gloves for on-deck work, balaclavas, and neck buffs. It's all about ensuring she stays warm and dry in the harsh and unpredictable conditions the journey serves up. 

Annie keeps the extra items to a minimum because weight and space are limited onboard. She brings a small towel, a wet notebook, a marker pen, some red and white tape, sunscreen, her iPod, a head torch, a spare hairband, and her sunglasses. In addition, she packs a plush toy unicorn belonging to her daughter – a keepsake to remind her of home – plus a lucky $2 bill from a friend, and some letters from her friends. These items in particular are less about practicality and more about morale – little personal reminders that can come in handy when things get extra tough on the ocean.

Preparing for The Ocean Race requires a lot of planning and preparation, especially when it comes to packing. The right sailing gear is imperative for any leg of the journey, especially one as diverse and challenging as the Southern Ocean.  As a seasoned professional, Annie Lush knows layering and using the highest quality waterproof gear is vital, and bringing personal items to keep you motivated and inspired goes a long way too.

Crew member – GUYOT environnement – Team Europe 
Olympic competitor, two-time circumnavigator, and four-time match race world champion: Annie Lush is a prime example of an all-rounder in sailing – but not just sailing. Born in Poole on the south coast of England, the 42-year-old also won the famous rowing race against Oxford University during her university days in Cambridge. But sailing is where all her passion lies. She became match race world champion for the first time back in 2004 and was able to take part in the Olympic Games in her native Britain in 2012. She then switched to offshore sailing, participating in two Volvo Ocean Races. In 2014/15, she was part of Team SCA, the first all-female team to win a leg of the Ocean Race. In the 2017/18 edition, she sailed with Team Brunel and is now aiming for her third world race.