Newport-based Lemon & Line has announced that they have been chosen as an official accessory for the 2017-2018 Volvo Ocean Race.

Partnering with preeminent European rope manufacturer Gottifredi Maffioli, the line supplier for the Volvo Ocean Race fleet, and Musto, the event’s official kit supplier, Lemon & Line will manufacture the Official Volvo Ocean Race Bracelet from its headquarters in downtown Newport and make the product available at each of the 13 global stopovers as well as through the online shopping portal of the Volvo Ocean Race website. The first shipment has been sent to Alicante, Spain, where the race village is now open for Leg One on October 22, 2017.

“As a lifelong racer and sailor, this partnership represents everything I’ve been working for,” says David Norton, founder of Lemon & Line. “We’ve been at this for seven years. From day one we have remained committed and connected to our sport. This is our opportunity to solidify our market position in partnership with one of the most recognizable elite-level sailing events.”

“We’re just doing what we do best,” Norton adds. “We’re crafting incredible, authentic, products in the sailing capital of the world and we’re able to reach across oceans uniting sailors from all over with the same passion. Simply incredible.”

For more information on Lemon & Line, visit www.lemonandline.com.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...