For Immediate
Release: 24th June 2009
Rights-free
race images available to download in high-resolution from http://press.velux5oceans.com/
Interviews
and video footage available on request from the communications team
CLIPPER
VENTURES PARTNERS WITH FASNET MARINE INSURANCE
VELUX 5 OCEANS
competitors to be offered competitive insurance solutions
The VELUX 5 OCEANS race requires that all competitors have a minimum of
Third Party Liability insurance, with a minimum limit of indemnity of £2
million. Clipper Ventures PLC, the race organisers, have therefore introduced
specialist yacht insurance brokers Fastnet Marine Insurance Services Ltd., to
arrange for Third Party &/or comprehensive insurance to be available for
all competitors who have paid their full race entry fees. This insurance will
be underwritten by LloydÕs and by secure London insurance companies, and will
offer competitive rates and packages to all competitors.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Chairman of Clipper Ventures and the VELUX 5
OCEANS, commented, ÒWith the establishment of the new Eco 60 Class for the
VELUX 5 OCEANS 2010-11, we talked to skippers around the world about key areas
where we as a race organisation can provide assistance. Beyond the significant investments
we have already committed to prizemoney, accommodation, logistics and
communications, it became clear that we need to find a more efficient and
valuable insurance package than what is currently on offer within the Open 60
world. Clipper Ventures therefore undertook a number of negotiations with
Lloyds of London, the home of the international insurance market, and we are
delighted to announce that a very competitive package is now on offer from
Fastnet Marine Insurance Services for any boat entered into the VELUX 5 OCEANS
2010-11.Ó
Speaking from their headquarters, Director Richard Power concluded, ÒFastnet
Marine Insurance Services Ltd. are delighted to be involved with this historic
race. As specialists in yacht insurance, and in particular, the arrangement of
insurance for yachtsman undertaking long distance ocean racing or cruising in
remote areas, whether solo, short-handed or fully crewed, we understand the
needs of VELUX 5 OCEANS competitors. A competitively priced, but more importantly,
secure and responsive insurance package will be available, covering the yacht
herself as well as Third Party Liabilities. We look forward to working with
Clipper Ventures PLC, and with VELUX 5 OCEANS competitors, to assist them in
this vital aspect of their race preparation.Ó
David Adams, Race Director of the VELUX 5 OCEANS, added, ÒI am pleased
we are now in a position to offer a comprehensive and reliable insurance
solution to competitors in the VELUX 5 OCEANS, whether they are competing in
the new Eco 60 Class for third generation boats or in our Open 60 Class for the
latest generation of offshore racing yachts. Combined with Û500,000 prizemoney
for competitors, plus a minimum direct investment of Û36,000 to cover
accommodation, logistics and communications, I hope that our race will continue
to offer a tangible return on investment for sponsors and meet the needs of
modern solo racers.Ó
To download an insurance form from Fastnet Insurance Brokers, please go
to www.velux5oceans.com.
For further information on the VELUX
5 OCEANS, please contact:
Tim
Kelly, Race
Director of Communications
M:
+ 44 7773 325 533
For further information on
Fastnet Marine Insurance Services, please contact:
Richard Power, Director Fastnet Marine Insurance Services LTD
T. +44 (0)23 8063 6677
F. +44(0)23 8063 6678
M. +44 (0)7767 822500
E: richardp@fastnet-marine.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
VELUX
5 OCEANS Ð The Ultimate Solo Challenge
THE
ORIGINAL
The
VELUX 5 OCEANS is the original single-handed round the world yacht race. Run
every 4 years since 1982, the race is the longest and toughest event for any
individual in any sport. Single-handed around the world's oceans in
thoroughbred racing yachts represents the ultimate odyssey. The ultimate in
human endeavour, only 90 people have so far finished the challenge.
THE CONCEPT
Ð 5 Ocean Sprints
The VELUX 5
OCEANS is a series of high-pressure sprints within a marathon circumnavigation.
In the course of the 30,000 mile race, the skippers cross five oceans alone:
1. Cape Town
Ocean Sprint: 7,500 nautical
miles from La Rochelle (France) to Cape Town (South Africa), starting October
17, 2010
2.
Wellington Ocean Sprint: 7,000 nautical miles from Cape Town (South Africa) to
Wellington (New Zealand)
3. Salvador
Ocean Sprint: 7,400 nautical miles from Wellington (New Zealand) to Salvador
(Brazil)
4.
Charleston Ocean Sprint: 4,000 nautical miles from Salvador (Brazil) to
Charleston (USA)
5. La
Rochelle Ocean Sprint: 3,600 nautical miles from Charleston (USA) to La
Rochelle (France)
The various
stages and stopovers allow the skippers to push their boats harder and faster
over long and diverse legs through some of the planetÕs most hostile and
treacherous waters. Skippers need to set up their boats for the specific
challenges of each leg, such as the light and fluky conditions of the Doldrums
versus the fierce winds and seas of the roaring 40's and screaming 50's of the
Southern Ocean.
THE
CHALLENGE
The solo
skipper is the central character of the VELUX 5 OCEANS. These unique
individuals must demonstrate determination, skill, courage, endurance and
competition at the highest level in order to succeed. The skippers must face
the mental challenges of being alone, tired, cold and wet thousands of miles
from land. They must endure the physical, physiological and psychological
challenges of seven months racing around the world. Each skipper must be
navigator, weather guru, cook, sailmaker and computer wizard while racing alone
at sea. Although they rejoin family and friends ashore at stopovers, they must
wrench themselves away to face the vast oceans alone again.
THE
HERITAGE
With
a rich sporting heritage, the VELUX 5 OCEANS has been contested every four
years since 1982, previously under the titles of ÔBOC ChallengeÕ and ÔAround
AloneÕ. The race celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2007 when it returned to
the forefront of ocean racing as the VELUX 5 OCEANS. Over 25 years, the event
has created an enormous sporting heritage of endeavour and achievement,
including many peaks of excitement, dramatic rescues and tragic loss of life.
The race has consistently attracted competitors from diverse countries around
the globe, skippers who were often little known before this event, including
Philippe Jeantot (France), Bernard Stamm (Switzerland), Giovanni Soldini
(Italy), Brad Van Liew (USA), Isabelle Autissier (France), Yukoh Tada and
Kojiro Shiraishi (Japan), Emma Richards (UK), Bertie Reed and John Martin
(South Africa) and Jose Ugarte (Spain).
THE FUTURE
The next
VELUX 5 OCEANS will take place 2010-2011 and promises to reach a global
audience as the dramatic stories are followed live across TV, radio, print,
Internet and via mobile technology.
About The VELUX Group
VELUX
creates better living environments with daylight and fresh air through the
roof. Our product programme contains a wide range of roof windows and
skylights, along with solutions for flat roofs. In addition, VELUX offers many
types of decoration and sun screening, roller shutters, installation products,
products for remote control and thermal solar panels for installation in roofs.
VELUX, which has manufacturing companies in 10 countries and sales companies in
just under 40 countries, is one of the strongest brands in the global building
materials sector and its products are sold in most parts of the world. The
VELUX Group has around 10,000 employees and is owned by VKR Holding A/S. VKR
Holding A/S is a limited company wholly owned by foundations and family.
About
Clipper Ventures Plc
This year marks the 39th anniversary of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's
historic solo and non-stop circumnavigation in 1970. Now, as Chairman of
Clipper Ventures PLC, he is at the forefront of promoting round the world yacht
racing. Clipper Ventures, the marine sports company founded in 1995 and listed
on AIM stock market in London in 1999, is focussed on developing and promoting
major events capable of attracting significant participation, income, media
coverage and associated sponsorship revenue. The company owns the rights
to the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, the VELUX 5 OCEANS, and Zapcat
Racing, the world's largest one-design powerboat series.
About La Rochelle
For
1,000 years, La Rochelle the "rebel" likes being different:
democratic a long time before the rest of France, it is Protestant when the
whole France is Catholic; it always innovates and disrupts commonplaces and the
city becomes a pioneer as regards urban ecology. Throughout history, La
Rochelle shows its difference. It has always been turned toward the sea and has
a rich and turbulent past. La Rochelle remained bubbly of ideas and events.
Boating and sailing races are deeply rooted in La RochelleÕs culture and many
events were held in this city where the French boating industry could develop
its numerous assets.
Stopovers
of the Volvo Ocean Race, of the Global Challenge, of the Clipper Race, start
city of the Transat 6.50 Charente-Maritime/Bahia, commemoration the 400th
anniversary of the discovery of Quebec, International In-water Boat Show... a
multiplicity of events that ranked La Rochelle as one of the major capital of
International sailing. La Rochelle still steer the course to the future!