February 12, 2009 – The PUMA Ocean Racing team will begin the longest leg ever sailed in the history of the Volvo Ocean Race this Saturday, when they embark on the 12,300 mile journey from Qingdao, China, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Expected to take forty days to complete, this epic journey will take the fleet from one extreme to another as the teams face every single different variety of sailing conditions imaginable. Eating up entire swaths of ocean, crossing the equator and rounding the notorious seafaring landmark, Cape Horn, the team will be battling their way to Rio in the knowledge that a podium finish in Brazil is vital to their overall position in the race.
One of only four boats to finish leg four to China, the PUMA shore team has worked day and night in freezing temperatures to ensure PUMA’s il mostro was ready for the Qingdao In Port race last weekend, and for the start of leg five, this Saturday, Valentine’s Day. In a leg which covers more miles than the previous three summed together, during which several breakages have occurred, outstanding preparation is vital. With forty days worth of sails, spares and food packed, the PUMA team is set for the battle ahead.
Skipper Ken Read commented: “We are expecting the unexpected during this leg. It’s going to be an adventure, and the ocean is going to throw anything and everything at us. Right out of the starting blocks here in China we are expecting to be absolutely fire-hosed with freezing cold water, with a wind chill well below zero degrees. Once we’re sick of the wet and wild conditions, we’ll be back stripping off our layers as we begin dripping in sweat again when we cross the equator for the third time. Our passage down through the Pacific is not a common yacht racing route so once more we’ll have some tricky navigational decisions to make.”
“And that’s just the half of it. Next we’ll be pulling our thermals and boots on again as we delve back into the nasty Southern Ocean, dodging icebergs on the way east towards Cape Horn. After Cape Horn, we head back up through the Southern Atlantic into the tropics, and then to Brazil. It will be an adventure for sure, with many miles and many points at stake. We’re going to take a beating, and this is what ocean racing is all about. This leg is longer than any leg ever sailed in the Volvo Ocean Race ever before, and equates to about half of a solo circumnavigation of the world. Don’t be surprised to see a lot of place-changing amongst the fleet, it will be a great one to watch from a spectators point of view. And expect a big party in Rio!”
Leg five will start from Fushan Bay, Qingdao, China at 1300 local/0500 GMT/0000 EST on Saturday 14th February.
The Volvo Ocean Race is made up of ten legs, finishing in June 2009 in St. Petersburg, Russia. By joining the race, PUMA has entered a new premium category and is the only Sportslifestyle 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.
PUMA Ocean Racing Crew List, Leg Five, Qingdao – Rio de Janeiro:
Ken Read (USA) Skipper
Andrew Cape (AUS) Navigator
Rick Deppe (GBR) Media Crew Member
Sidney Gavignet (FRA) Watch Captain
Robert Greenhalgh (GBR) Watch Captain
Rob Salthouse (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Justin Ferris (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Erle Williams (NZL) Trimmer/Driver
Michael Müller (GER) Trimmer/Pit
Jerry Kirby (USA) Bowman
Casey Smith (AUS) Bowman
PUMA
PUMA is one of the world’s leading sportlifestyle companies that designs and develops footwear, apparel and accessories. It is committed to working in ways that contribute to the world by supporting Creativity, SAFE Sustainability and Peace, and by staying true to the values of being Fair, Honest, Positive and Creative in decisions made and actions taken. PUMA starts in Sport and ends in Fashion. Its Sport Performance and Lifestyle labels include categories such as Football, Running, Motorsports, Golf and Sailing. The Black label features collaborations with renowned designers such as Alexander McQueen, Yasuhiro Mihara and Sergio Rossi. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Tretorn and Hussein Chalayan. The company, which was founded in 1948, distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs more than 9,000 people worldwide and has headquarters in Herzogenaurach/Germany, Boston, London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.puma.com
