04.02.2009
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http://media.pumaoceanracing.com
PUMA ready for Qingdao In Port Race
New boom has arrived in China
February 4, 2009 – PUMA today confirmed that they are ready for the
Qingdao In Port Race this Saturday, February 7th. Whilst other boats in
the fleet are fighting to keep themselves in the race, the PUMA Ocean
Racing shore crew has worked day and night to ensure PUMA is ready for the
third In Port weekend of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. Complete with new
boom and all structural damage repaired, PUMA’s il mostro was today the
first boat to be lifted back into the water and will be on the start line
in Fushan Bay, Qingdao, China at 1300 local/0500 GMT/0000 EST on Saturday.
Four boats are expected to compete in the In Port race this weekend; PUMA,
Green Dragon, Telefonica Blue and Ericsson 4, all of whom completed leg
four of the race and are currently based in Qingdao. In Port racing is
comprised of two short 50 minute races, which are designed to show off
these incredible racing machines to spectators both on the water and
lining the shores of the race village. Both races count for points towards
the team’s overall score in the epic nine-month 37,000 mile round the
world race. With up to four points to be earned by Saturday’s winner, the
In Port racing is set to pull these four boats well ahead of the reindexder
of the fleet in the overall race standings.
Sailing onboard il mostro for the In Port race will be PUMA’s Ocean Racing
team of Ken Read, Skipper; Andrew Cape, Navigator; Justin Ferris, Trimmer;
Sidney Gavignet, Trimmer; Jerry Kirby, Bowman; Rob Greenhalgh, index; Michi
Mueller, Grinder/Sewer; Erle Williams, Tactician; Rob Salthouse, Pit;
Casey Smith, Bowman; Shannon Falcone, Trimmer/Pit and Joe Fanelli,
Grinder. Rick Deppe, PUMA’s Media Specialist will also be onboard
providing a live video stream straight from the boat, which can be viewed
at www.volvooceanrace.tv in real time on race day.
Skipper Ken Read commented: “This was always going to be a tough stopover
for us, with really only a week between the leg finish and the In Port
race. After the extremely tough leg we just had here from Singapore, it’s
been even harder to get ourselves ready for this weekend. As average
temperatures here in Qingdao have been below five degrees, it’s a tough
place to work on a boat. But, as always, our shore team have performed
miracles. Our new boom arrived on Tuesday, our boat builders have been
working hard to clean up a few things inside the boat, we were lifted into
the water today [Wednesday] and even hope to get out for a training sail
tomorrow and Friday. We’re ramped up and ready to go.”
The Volvo Ocean Race is made up of ten legs, finishing in June 2009 in St.
Petersburg, Russia. By joining the race, PUMA has entered a new premium
category and is the only Sportslifestyle company to participate in the
Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. For more information about the race, team and
the PUMA Sailing collections, please visit www.pumaoceanracing.com
Alongside PUMA’s entry in the Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA has launched a full
range of marine clothing and apparel, from offshore sailing gear to
onshore lifestyle fashion. The PUMA Sailing Performance collection was
developed and tested by the PUMA Ocean Racing team itself, and is worn by
the team throughout the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. The PUMA Sailing
Lifestyle collection takes inspiration from the sport.
For more information on Puma Ocean Racing, please contact:
Bridgid Murphy or Kate Fairclough - PUMA Ocean Racing
Tel: +1 978 996 5155 or +44 7827 277 517
bridgid.murphy@puma.com or kate.fairclough@puma.com
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