20.06.2009
PUMA aims to seal overall Volvo Ocean Race result in Stockholm
June 20, 2009 – The PUMA Ocean Racing team could tomorrow seal their final
position in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 with one leg of the race to go.
Competing in the final In Port race of the Volvo Ocean Race in Stockholm,
Sweden, PUMA need to either beat or finish one position behind Spanish
entry Telefonica Blue to confirm second place overall in the 37,000 mile
round the world race. If the PUMA team are unable to close the competition
in this In Port race, second and third place overall in the event will be
decided by the result of the final leg from Stockholm to St Petersburg,
Russia, which begins on Thursday June 25. PUMA are already assured a
podium finish in this edition of the race and are currently seven points
ahead of Telefonica Blue.
Having won the Galway In Port race, won leg nine and finished runner up in
legs seven and eight, the PUMA Ocean Racing team are on a roll. PUMA has
finished on the podium in all but one of the six In Port race days to
date. Two races will be held in the Kanholmsfjärden just starting at 13:00
local (11:00 GMT/07:00 EDT). Thousands of spectators are expected to watch
the fleet strut their stuff round the short 2.7 mile course just outside
the Stockholm archipelago.
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;
Craig Satterthwaite, Trimmer; Erle Williams, index; Rob Greenhalgh,
Tactician; Rob Salthouse, Pit; Casey Smith, Bowman; Jerry Kirby, Mid Bow;
Shannon Falcone, Trimmer/Pit, Michi Mueller, Grinder and Andrew Taylor,
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 (USA) commented: “At this point in the race, we have two
shots at controlling our destiny; tomorrow’s In Port race and the final
leg to Russia. We’re aiming to do that tomorrow. However, the forecast
looks like another pretty light wind, weird day, the type of weather in
which Telefonica Blue excels.”
“We said from day one that our aim in this race was to finish on the
podium. We cannot finish any worse than third, so whatever happens we have
succeeded. No matter what, we will always be able to look back at this
Volvo Ocean Race and know it has been a success. Do I, and the entire team
want to finish this race in second place? Of course. It would be a huge
bonus. We have a battle on our hands, this is not over until it’s over. We
have continued to improve in light air conditions and we know we can do
it. We are as ready as we’ll ever be.”
Following this weekend’s In Port race, the PUMA Ocean Racing team will
compete in the friendly Pro-Am race on Monday, which takes place just
Stockholm. They will then spend their last three days in Stockholm
preparing for the start of leg ten, the final leg of the Volvo Ocean Race
2008-09 on Thursday June 25.
The Volvo Ocean Race is made up of ten legs, finishing in St. Petersburg,
Russia on 28th June 2009. By joining the race, PUMA has entered a new
premium category and is the only Sportlifestyle 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
For images and footage free for editorial use please go to:
http://media.pumaoceanracing.com
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