Tagesberichte siehe Menu unten
December 13th 2010
Team GAC Pindar confirm entry in Extreme Sailing Series(tm)
Williams to take helm
Team GAC Pindar, today announced its entry in the 2011 Extreme Sailing Series(tm), which will be skippered by the team's twice previous ISAF Double World Match Racing sailor, Ian Williams.
The announcement was made at a media event in Estoril, Portugal ahead of the World Yacht Racing Forum, hosted by series organisers OC ThirdPole, who unveiled detailed plans for the 2011 season. Now set for a fifth season, the series will feature a nine-event global calendar, ten teams representing eight different nations, exciting new venues including Boston, Nice and Singapore and the inclusion of match racing as a permanent fixture to the exciting race format.
The Extreme Sailing Series(tm) has firmly established itself as one of the most exciting events on the sporting calendar. It unites world class sailors who compete on identical high-speed 40ft catamarans, around a spectator friendly race course and provides unique marketing opportunities for commercial partners. The chance to race alongside the professionals as an adrenalin-packed '5th Man' passenger, has become one of the hottest seats in sport.
Having recently completed his sixth consecutive World Match Racing season, the move marks an exciting new chapter for Williams, who has been an integral part of Team GAC Pindar's (formerly Team Pindar) success since joining the team in 2007. Speaking about his new challenge, Williams commented: "I've enjoyed six great years on the World Match Racing Tour but have always kept a keen eye on the Extreme Sailing Series(tm). There's no doubt that with the new America's Cup rule change, the event will continue to attract a world class line-up. We are in the process of putting together an experienced crew who are all eager to take part. I am looking forward to some intensive training over the winter months, before heading to the first event in Oman in February."
Williams is one of the most revered technical sailors of his generation and brings a wealth of competitive racing on the world stage. His remarkable story saw him quit his City job as a solicitor in 2005, to focus full time on his sailing ambitions. Within just two years he had become the first British sailor to lift the World Match Racing trophy - a feat that he repeated a year later, in 2008.
Team GAC Pindar, which entered two events on the 2010 circuit in Sète and Cowes has committed to the full 2011 season. The partnership combines Team Pindar's 30-year sailing involvement with Dubai-based global logistics provider, GAC.
Bill Hill, Executive Vice President, GAC, who attended the event in Cowes, commented: "GAC is associated with some of the most exciting sports properties in the world, including Premier League Football and Formula One. We are thrilled to be entering the Extreme Sailing Series(tm). To be involved at the cutting edge of sailing, at key locations around the world, including on our doorstep in the Gulf, is a powerful marketing tool for GAC. Sailing is driven by energy, dedication and teamwork - the same core values at the heart of our business."
Team Principal of Team GAC Pindar, Andrew Pindar commented: "We've been fortunate enough to experience winning the World Match Racing Tour twice with Ian at helm - he is a tremendous talent and this entry marks an exciting new challenge for both him and the team. We are delighted to be partnering again with GAC, as they look to sailing to help gain further global exposure and expand their shipping, logistics and marine services around the world."
The 2011 Extreme Sailing Series(tm) gets underway on February 20, 2011 in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
For more information, please visit: www.extremesailingseries.com
Extreme Sailing Series(tm) Schedule 2011
Act 1: 22-24 February, Muscat, Oman (20-21 'open-water' racing*)
Act 2: 15-17 April, China (13-14 'open-water' racing)
Act 3: 27-29 May, Istanbul, Turkey (25-26 'open-water' racing)
Act 4: 30 June-4 July, Boston, USA (all days public event)
Act 5: 6-12 August, Cowes, UK (all days public event)
Act 6: 16-18 September, Trapani, Italy (14-15 'open-water' racing)
Act 7: 30 September-2 October, Nice, France (28-29 'open-water' racing)
Act 8: 12-16 October, Almeria, Spain (all days public event)
Act 9: 9-11 December, Singapore (7-8 'open-water' racing)
* 'open-water' racing means that the Race Manager can use whatever part of the arena is best for racing - once the public village is open in 'stadium' mode there are sometimes constraints in this respect in order to ensure the fans can see all the action.
2011 Confirmed Teams & Skippers:
Team Name
Nat.
Skipper Name
Nat.
Alinghi
SUI
Tanguy Cariou
FRA
Artemis Racing
SWE
Terry Hutchinson
USA
Emirates Team New Zealand
NZL
Dean Barker
NZL
Groupe Edmond de Rothschild
FRA
As Yet Unknown
n/k
Luna Rossa
ITA
Max Sirena
ITA
Oman Air Masirah
OMA
Sidney Gavignet
FRA
Red Bull Extreme Sailing
AUT
Roman Hagara
AUT
Team GAC Pindar
GBR
Ian Williams
GBR
Team Nice
ITA
Alberto Barovier
ITA
The Wave, Muscat
OMA
Torvar Mirsky
AUS
-ends-
About Team GAC Pindar
Team GAC Pindar is a unique partnership between independent sailing company Team Pindar and global shipping, logistics and marine services provider GAC Group.
Jointly, the two leading brands aim to leverage the synergies from their combined strengths and networks to build brand awareness and generate business opportunities in the exciting sailing arena.
Team Pindar is one of the world's leading independent sailing teams. Since the company's first ever sports sponsorship of The North Sea Yacht Race in 1980, Pindar has become one of the most established names in sailing. Best known for its sponsorship of Emma Sanderson (née Richards) in the 2002-03 Around Alone Race, Pindar has supported sailing campaigns across every level, ranging from grass roots and local community projects through to match racing and global offshore events at the very pinnacle of the sport.
GAC's portfolio of shipping, logistics, marine and related services are constantly being refined and integrated to serve the customers' increasing need for competitive solutions. GAC Logistics serves the worldwide needs of manufacturers, distributors and retailers in diverse sectors. It delivers a complete range of supply chain and logistics solutions.
No stranger to the specialist field of sports logistics, GAC has an established track record in combining speed and precision to deliver time-definite solutions to sporting events from sailing, motorcar and motorbike races to regional multi-sports games.
Emphasising trust, reliability and a strong human touch, GAC has been building its reputation in its chosen markets since 1956. headquartered in Dubai, GAC employs over 9,000 people in more than 300 offices worldwide.
www.gac.com / www.teampindar.com
|
