| UK & Norway. Amundsen appointed official race timekeeper for Velux 5 Oceans |
|
|
|
| Friday, 06 January 2006 | |
|
Tim Collins: Clipper Ventures, the AIM-listed event management company founded by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, today announced that Amundsen Oslo has joined forces with the Velux 5 Oceans Race as the Official Race Timekeeper. The Velux 5 Oceans is the oldest, most established and continuously run single-handed round the world yacht race. The latest announcement is another boost for Clipper Ventures and the Velux 5 Oceans race. Since its reformatted structure, which saw the race renamed from the ‘Around Alone’ to the ‘5 Oceans’, the race has grown from strength to strength. Earlier this year Velux, the leading producer of roof windows, was announced as the new title sponsor and Bilbao was unveiled as the start and finish port along with Fremantle, Australia which will host one of the two race stopovers. In its role as Official Race Timekeeper, Amundsen Oslo will supply highly reliable timekeeping equipment for the race (in accordance with ISAF/IMOCA regulations), and equip each skipper with a custom made timepiece prior to the start of the race. Amundsen Oslo will use its association with the race to launch its new yachting timepiece range at the London Boat Show – the Amundsen Oslo Solo Navigator. The skippers will also compete for the Amundsen Trophy, named after the legendary polar explorer Roald Amundsen, the greatest polar explorer of all time. The Amundsen Trophy will be awarded to the first yacht to pass 163° West longitude (Amundsen Gate), which marks the starting point on the route taken by Amundsen on his legendary trip to conquer the South Pole in 1911. Jřrgen Amundsen, Founder and President of Amundsen Oslo, commented today, “We are delighted to be involved with such a prestigious race as the Velux 5 Oceans. We feel this premier global sailing event reflects the characteristics of our extreme sport watches of quality, endurance and precision. As the Official Timekeeper of the race, we are proud of the services we can provide to the skippers and race organisers in order to make 2006 the best edition yet of this classic.” Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Clipper Ventures, commented “This announcement is another important step on the road to building the most successful edition yet in the long history of this race. The support of Amundsen Oslo continues to reflect the appeal of the new format and concept for the Velux 5 Oceans. We can already see that this is a winning partnership for skippers and organisers alike.” Amundsen Oslo are already involved in the sport of yachting through their agreement with the World Sailing Speed Record Council, where Amundsen Oslo has set up the official prestigious Amundsen Trophy for Round the World non stop single-handed records, both from east to west and west to east. The special Velux 5 Oceans timepiece is designed especially with this race in mind, and will be a truly spectacular addition for the skippers. The timepiece includes a unique solar navigation system in addition to various other special features related to extreme conditions at sea. The Velux 5 Oceans is the longest and toughest event, for any individual in any sport. The race has a rich heritage, having been contested every 4 years since 1982, previously under the titles of ‘Around Alone’ and ‘BOC Challenge’. In 2006, the race’s 25th Jubilee year, the event is getting even tougher. The legs between ports are now longer and the stopovers fewer and more compact - with a shorter window of preparation for the next leg. By the end of the event, skippers will have sailed 30,000 miles of ocean alone, facing all the extremes that nature can throw at them. The unique Grand Prix format, calling at international ports in different continents, gives the Velux 5 Oceans a truly global appeal, on and off the water, on an affordable scale for skippers, sponsors and commercial partners. |
|
| Last Updated ( Friday, 06 January 2006 ) |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|