The hand-crafted nautical bracelets made by Lemon & Line of Newport have been chosen as an official accessory for the 2017-2018 Volvo Ocean Race.

Barrington resident David Norton is founder of Lemon & Line.

“As a lifelong racer and sailor, this partnership represents everything I’ve been working for,” said Mr. Norton. “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."

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. 

The local company will 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. 

Mr. Norton debuted the company's original square knot bracelet in 2010.

“We’re just doing what we do best,” Mr. Norton said. “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.”

Mr. Norton said sailing and the sea were key components when creating the bracelet.

"I wanted to wear something that was a symbol of my passion for sailing and the water, but I wanted it to be more grown up, streamlined and I wanted to be able to take it off," said Mr. Norton. 

Mr. Norton and his wife Elizabeth worked on the design and made their first batch of bracelets in the basement of their former Newport home. 

"We brought them to the Newport Boat Show and sold out the first day," said Mr. Norton. "We went home and worked through the night to make enough for the next day — same thing happened, people loved them. 

"At that time we were both working full time but we decided to start an online store and run it from our basement. We started social media accounts and just started getting our product out there. We wanted to keep it simple. Using marine grade materials we set out to build the new 'rope bracelet.'"

Mr. Norton and his wife grew up in Barrington and attended Barrington schools, and recently moved back to town. They are Barrington Yacht Club members.

"The roots of the business can be traced to growing up on the docks of Barrington Yacht Club," Mr. Norton said.

The Volvo Ocean Race is regarded as one of the toughest, most grueling, races in the history of the sport: around the world — 13 ports, 45,000 nautical miles, eight months, seven teams.