06.05.2008
With 13 IMOCA Open 60 and 12 Class40 monohulls entered,
The Artemis Transat 2008 boasts an impressive lineup - a closer look at the names and associated
CVs reveals quite a few significant figures, proving once again that this mythical event created in 1960 remained the ultimate ocean racing test throughout the decades.
The Artemis Transat 2008 - Key figures
13 IMOCA Open 60s, 12 Class40, 6 nationalities, More than 270 Atlantic
crossings between them, 6 Vendée Globe participations, 2 Vendée Globe
winners, 16 Transat* participations, 5 Transat* victories between them
(overall or class victories)
*OSTAR, Europe 1 Star, Europe 1 New Man Star, The Transat
Ten boats to compete in Prologue.
Following on from the Grand Prix Petit Navire in France, up to ten of The
Artemis Transat race fleet plan to take part in the official prologue from
Douarnenez to Plymouth. The IMOCA 60s include Akena Vérandas (Arnaud
Boissieres), Brit Air (Armel Le Cleacıh), Foncia (Michel Desjoyeaux),
Generali (Yann Elies) and PRB (Vincent Riou). The Class40 players are
Appartı City (Yvan Noblet), Beluga Shipping (Boris Herrmann), Custo Pol
(Halvard Mabire), Prévoir VIE (Benoit Parneaudeau) and Telecom Italia
(Giovanni Soldini).
Race partners Omega, Renault and BT add their support.
Joining title partner, Artemis, and an array of other supporting partners,
are Omega, Renault and BT. Omega, who were the main partner for The Transat
in 2004, continue their association as official timekeeper. A giant Omega
clock will be placed at Sutton Harbour to countdown to the start at 1400BST
on Sunday, 11th May. And it will be the precision of Omega timekeeping that
will record key timings during the race as the fleet cross race gates and
ultimately the finish line. Omega will also be offering six The Artemis
Transatı special edition watches as prizes to competing skippers: three for
the podium winners in the IMOCA class, one for the Class 40 winner, one for
the first boat to Omega Race Gate 1 at Eddystone Lighthouse, the first gate
of the course, and one for the 24-hour distance record setter in the race.
Communications provider, BT, and car supplier, Renault, will provide
essential services in kind in their respective categories to The Artemis
Transat. BT, as official communications supplier to the race, is providing
integral communications and IT support. This includes providing Sutton
Harbour with WiFi via BT Openzone to the race fleet, when in port, visiting
guests and international media. Renault, official vehicle supplier, has
provided a fleet of Espace vehicles to the organisation for use during the
start period. ³All professional sporting events rely on sponsorship and we
are no different in that regard,² commented Francois Vergnol from the OC
Events Commercial Team, ³so it is especially pleasing to welcome Omega, BT
and Renault to the family of supporting partners and suppliers to The
Artemis Transat.²
Official charity, Ellen MacArthur Trust on the fundraising trail.
The Ellen MacArthur Trust is the official charity to the race and is
planning a proactive week of fundraising in Plymouth. Members of the public
can come and have a go at a Virtual Skipper game and try beat Ellenıs best
time and the chance to win a bottle of G.H. Mumm Champagne for the best time
of the week. The Ellen MacArthur Trustıs aim is to support, empower and
enliven children suffering from cancer, leukaemia or other serious illnesses
by introducing them to the joys of sailing on the sea. The Trust work with
children all over the UK including the south-west of England.
http://www.ellenmacarthurtrust.org
website http://www.theartemistransat.com
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Martin Silnevs
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