Oceanracing Aktuell 2015

www.volvooceanrace.com
September 11, 2015
Frostad steps down as Volvo Ocean Race CEO

- Chief to leave after three editions at the helm
- ‘I want to dedicate time to my family now’
- Search is underway for new Race CEO

ALICANTE, Spain, September 11, 2015 - Knut Frostad, CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, is stepping down at the end of 2015 after eight years at the helm for family reasons.

The 48-year-old Norwegian has guided the event over three editions in 2008-09, 2011-12 and 2014-15 after taking over as chief executive in March 2008.

Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race

Frostad said it had been a journey he was very proud of, transforming the race into a high-level professional organisation as well as making significant and key changes to the race format while retaining a strong focus on the history and legacy of the 42-year-old race.
“With almost half of my life and a lot of passion invested in the race, it has been one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make,” he said.
“I am an ‘all-or-nothing’ person and this is an ‘all-or-nothing’ race. I now want to dedicate more of my time to my young family.
“The Volvo Ocean Race is in a strong position for the future with a proven one-design format, a great team at our Alicante headquarters and ambitious and committed owners in Volvo Car Group and Volvo Group.”

Senior members of the Race’s board have paid tribute to Frostad.
“Knut has done a fantastic job in leading and developing the Volvo Ocean Race. We could not have had a more passionate leader and we understand and respect his wish to spend more time with his family. We will all miss him a lot,” said Henry Sténson, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Sustainability Affairs, Volvo Group, and Per Löjdquist, Chairman of the Volvo Ocean Race Board, in a joint statement.
“Knut has been the face and the driving force behind what is the most challenging and prestigious ocean race in the world. We regret but, at the same time, respect his decision and we can only wish him and his family the best of all winds,” added Alain Visser, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Customer Service, Volvo Car Group.

Frostad, who competed in four editions of sailing’s leading offshore race dating back to 1993-94, including twice as a skipper and founder of teams, continued: “The late Sir Peter Blake once said about the race: ‘There’s nothing like it - it gets in your blood and you can’t get rid of it!’
“I know that will be my challenge too. The Volvo Ocean Race is such a unique life experience and I am truly grateful for my time as head of the organisation, but also for all the friendships I have formed during this time.
“It’s been a privilege to work for Volvo and all the other stakeholders in the race, many of whom have become personal friends.”

Frostad will remain in the position as CEO until the end of 2015, while the search for his replacement has started.
For more on the Volvo Ocean Race, visit our website: www.volvooceanrace.com
For more information on the Volvo Ocean Race visit the Press Zone or contact us: press@volvooceanrace.com
Jon Bramley - Director, News and Media Volvo Ocean Race HQ (Spain) Tel +34 966 011 150 jon.bramley@volvooceanrace.com

High resolution images can be downloaded from our Image Library. For assistance contact the Picture Desk: images@volvooceanrace.com
Embeds - All videos on our official YouTube channel are available for embed.
The 2014-15 edition was won by Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, skippered by Briton Ian Walker. Team Brunel (Netherlands) finished second and Dongfeng Race Team (China) third. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing also won the In-Port Race Series. This was the 12th running of the 40-year-old event, which started in 1973 as the Whitbread Round the World Race. The 13th edition of the race will be held in 2017-18, starting in October 2017. The race started on October 4, 2014, with the first In-Port Race in Alicante, Spain, and finished with one last In-Port Race on June 27, 2015 in Gothenburg, the Swedish home of Volvo. The 38,739-nautical mile route included stopovers in Cape Town (South Africa), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Sanya (China), Auckland (New Zealand), Itajaí (Brazil), Newport (Rhode Island, US), Lisbon (Portugal) and Lorient (France). A 24-hour pit-stop in The Hague was staged between France and Sweden.
The next edition in 2017-18 will also be contested in a new high-performance boat, the Volvo Ocean 65, designed by Farr Yacht Design in the United States.
The new 65-foot (19.8-metre) monohull racing boats are strictly one-design and delivered “ready to sail”. The boats incorporate the latest video, satellite and content production facilities to further enhance the Onboard Reporter programme that has been in place since 2008-09. Seven teams contested the 12th edition. The all-female Team SCA were the first all-women's team to compete in the race since 2001-02. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing were once again skippered by Britain's twice-Olympic silver medallist Ian Walker. Dongfeng Race Team came from China and were backed by Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle. Team Brunel from the Netherlands were skippered by race veteran Bouwe Bekking. Team Alvimedica with a double flag (Turkey/USA) were headed by Rhode Island's Charlie Enright. A Spanish team were announced in June 2014 and was backed by insurance giant MAPFRE. Denmark's Team Vestas was the final boat to be announced in August. Chris Nicholson was skipper. The previous Volvo Ocean Race started in October 2011 in Alicante and was won by Groupama sailing team, skippered by Frenchman Franck Cammas, in July 2012.

Volvo Ocean Race S.L.U. Registered Office: Muelle N° 10 de Levante, Puerto de Alicante, 03001 Alicante, Spain. Registered in Spain No.: B54460910. This email and any files transmitted are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. If you have received this email in error, please notify webmaster@volvooceanrace.com.