The Oryx Quest 2005 www.oryxquest.com - zur Übersicht 28.09.2004 www.trimaran-geronimo.com The Geronimo trimaran newsletter n° 72 The Oryx Quest 2005 introduces its partners, skippers and boats. Quest International Sports Events (QISE) has just revealed the key features of the Oryx Quest 2005, which pits the world’s largest and fastest multihulls against each other, in a non-stop round-the-world race scheduled to start from Doha in February 2005. At today’s launch in Qatar, four of the world’s leading ocean racing skippers confirmed that they will be there on the start line in Doha on 5 February next year. HSBC declared itself a major multi-million dollar partner of the event, whilst the Gulf State of Qatar reconfirmed its major partnership with Oryx Quest 2005. Skippers Loick Peyron, Tony Bullimore (Team Daedalus) and Olivier de Kersauson (Geronimo) attended today’s ceremony to confirm their entries for the first QISE event. It was also confirmed that the maxi catamaran 'Qatar 2006' will also compete, with a skipper whose identity has yet to be confirmed. Cam Lewis (Team Adventure) and representatives of “Cheyenne” were also present in preparation for their participation in this first global sailing event to be organised in the Middle East. Fotos: www.oryxquest.com HSBC is one of the world’s largest banks and was here to explain its decision behind its multi-million dollar investment in the Oryx Quest project. This partnership contract is the largest ever signed by the company in this part of the world and confirms it as the event’s lead sponsor. Not only does the HSBC commitment give this innovative event a solid financial base, but also associates it intimately with the reputation and brand image of a globally-recognised company. The Gulf State of Qatar has been involved in the Oryx Quest 2005 project from the very beginning. The presence at today’s ceremony of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (representing His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani) underlines the reality of this support at a time when the country is seeking to establish itself as the base for a range of major international sporting events. During her speech at the ceremony held earlier today at Doha’s Diplomatic Club, QISE CEO Tracy Edwards MBE explained: ”We feel that today’s event marks the official start of the Oryx Quest 2005. The outstanding package of sponsors, partners, sailors and boats we are able to confirm today has taken a lot of hard work by many people to pull together. I am hugely grateful to all our backers for the confidence and commitment that they have shown in the Oryx Quest 2005. “We are all looking forward to February, and although there is still a lot of work to be done before then, we can confirm that, thanks to the calibre of our partners and supporters, the Oryx Quest 2005 is going to be a truly world-class event”. “This event struck us as crisp, modern and dynamic,” said Robert Gray, Chairman of HSBC Financial Services Middle East. “We have a rich tradition in the Middle East and are celebrating our 50th anniversary in Qatar this year. We have forged close links with Qatar on many levels over the past half century. We are proud of our significant presence in Qatar and the fact that we are the largest and highest profile international bank in Doha. This event provides us with a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate what HSBC really means in Qatar and in the region”. The dignitaries at today’s event unveiled the exclusive Oryx Quest Trophy, designed by William & Son and created by William Asprey. Standing at 56 cm high, the stunning trophy is in sterling silver and silver gilt, with diamonds, the finest lapis lazuli, mother-of-pearl and enamel. Also confirmed at today’s launch were the official start date of 5 February 2005, the race route and the nomination of the Qatar Foundation as the official charity of the Oryx Quest. Geronimo's latest news are on http://www.trimaran-geronimo.com Copyright © 1996-2016 - SEGEL.DE