7 November 2012
ROYAL OCEAN RACING CLUB
20 ST JAMES'S PLACE, LONDON SW1A 1NN
Sevenstar Commit to RORC Round Britain & Ireland Race 2014
At the UK (Southampton) offices of Sevenstar, the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC)
confirmed the leading Dutch specialist yacht transport company as title sponsor
of the 1,802 nautical mile non-stop race starting from Cowes, Isle of Wight on
10th August 2014.
Eddie Warden Owen, RORC CEO and MD of Sevenstar, Richard Klabbers raise a glass
to their longterm partnership and the 2014 Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race
Credit: RORC/plugphotography.com
Sevenstar sponsored the race in 2006 and 2010 when 30 yachts from nine different
nations competed in a thrilling and world record breaking event. Three records
were broken in what was a very memorable race, highlighted by the monohull record
set by Franck Cammas' French team aboard the Volvo 70 Groupama, completing the course
in5 days 21hrs 2mins and 55 seconds, breaking Dee Caffari's 2009 record on Aviva
by over half a day.
Determination and Tenacity
Richard Klabbers, Managing Director of Sevenstar who competed in the last two events
and secured victory in IRC Two aboard Harry Heijst's S&S 41, Winsome, explains the
reason for their sponsorship:
"After beating upwind for 14 days non-stop in the now renowned 2010 Sevenstar Round
Britain and Ireland Race,I am hooked on this event! We are very proud to be the
title sponsor once again and feel that the determination and tenacity this endurance
race demands from competitors is in line with what Sevenstar stands for as the Global
leader in Yacht Transport. Together with what the RORC stands for in terms of values,
traditions and reliability, we are certain to be the right partner for the race
and the RORC. We also believe that this race is attractive to the serious offshore
racer and we will see an impressive fleet at the start line in 2014."
New Prize Incentive: $20,000 transport voucher
Sevenstar also announced a significant new incentive for competitors in the race
- a prize for the first boat under IRC rating will receive a US$20,000 voucher
for yacht transport to their selected destination in the world.
Long Term Partnership for challenging race
"As organisers, The Royal Ocean Racing Club is delighted to secure this long term
partnership with Sevenstar Yacht Transport who have now supported the race for the
last three events," says RORC CEO, Eddie Warden Owen.
"I won't forget the hair-raising sight as I watched the 2010 race explode into action
under grey leaden skies and big breeze. It was a magnificent start, 25 knots from
the southwest with gusts of up to 30 knots coming out of the Medina River. All the
yachts made an impressive sight as they charged down the Solent! This race is much
more challenging than an Atlantic crossing because the crews will face the vagaries
of the tides and unpredictable weather; dodging oil rigs and container ships and
constant sail changing as the course alters at each major headland."
Testing Conditions on tactical course
The 1,802nm course will take competitors around some of the busiest and most tactically
challenging sailing waters in the world. It attracts a diverse range of yachts and
crew, most of which are enticed by the challenge it offers as well as the diversity
and beauty of the route around Britain and Ireland with spectacular scenery and
wildlife. Most sailors agree that this race is one of the toughest tests as it is
nearly as long as an Atlantic crossing, but the changes of direction at headlands
will mean constant breaks in the watch system for sail changes and sail trim.
Diverse fleet and entry
The race attracts a diverse fleet including multihull, IMOCA Open 60 and Class40,
but the overall winner will a yacht racing under the IRC rating system which is
expected to attract top professional teams as well as seasoned RORC members and
the less experienced offshore sailors. The last edition included world champions,
racing 'rock stars' as well as newcomers to the sport.
Support from Volvo Ocean Race Two Volvo Open 70s used the Sevenstar Round Britain
& Ireland Race in 2010 as a trial before the start of the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race.
It was the first time the Volvo 70s Telefonica (ESP) and Groupama (FRA) had raced
against each other.
Today, Volvo Ocean Race CEO, Knut Frostad confirmed their support for the 2014 edition
which starts two months before the Volvo Ocean Race in Alicante:
"The Volvo Ocean Race wholeheartedly support the 2014 Sevenstar Round Britain &
Ireland Race as it's an ideal race for our teams to use as a warm up with the new
one design VO65 fleet. The testing conditions round Britain and Ireland are perfect
for an extreme shakedown and also offers the chance for teams to race up against
each other for the first time before they head for Alicante and the start of the
2014 Volvo Ocean Race."
Completing the course: a feat for all yachts
Jonny Malbon's IMOCA 60, Artemis Ocean Racing, crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron
Line to set a new course record for an IMOCA 60 and overall victory in the 2010
race. Artemis Ocean Racing was also declared as the overall winner under IRC:
"I hope that we will be able to return in 2014 to defend our title once again. It's
such a fantastic race, very demanding with lots of corners and opportunities to
make both gains and losses. It is a course we have very much enjoyed over the years
with Artemis and the team and I hope the fleet will be as diverse and exciting next
time as it was in 2010. Thanks to both RORC and Sevenstar for organising and sponsoring
such a special race," commented winning skipper Malbon.
The last boat to finish the race in 2010 was Adrian Lower's Swan 44, Selene from
the Royal Burnham Yacht Club who took two weeks to complete the course compared
with only six days for the biggest boats. Twice as long in a boat half the size,
what a feat; the very essence of Corinthian RORC racing.
Enquiries are open for the race via the Royal Ocean Racing Club: www.rorc.org
ENDS/..
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