Dubai - Momentum in the run up to the Volvo Laser SB3 Middle East Grand Prix continues to grow across the UAE and throughout the world's sailing community with nine confirmed teams for Round 1, to be held on the 19th and 20th October at Dubai Offshore Sailing Club. These teams feature some of the regions top sailors and businessmen competing for the regions ultimate sailing prize.
Early entrants include:
1. 'deVere Racing'; skippered by renowned local yachtsman David Worrall and featuring a highly skilled crew, this team will be hard to beat. Sponsored by deVere & Partners Group, the world's largest and most respected independent offshore financial advisory firm, they have put together a top level team to take a shot at the title.
2. 'Petite Tazo'; as the smaller sister ship to Markus Fiala's new Farr 11s Tazo, this team should prove competitive straight from the first race. An internationally experienced sailor familiar to classes such as the Farr40 and Farr36, Markus will bring a fierce competitive spirit to the Grand Prix.
3. 'Hill Racing' ; Skippered by Jonathan Hill, a local player in the commercial shipping finance industry, this team has proven to have the early upwind advantage in pre-race training and practice. Great results are expected from the team, featuring the father and son team of Jonathan and Ed Hill.
4. 'Premier Composite Technologies Racing' ; A recent entry by boat building brothers Hannes and Max Waimer who have had a long history with the Laser SB3 class, since manufacturing the boats in Malaysia. Both organizers and sponsors look forward to them bringing their vast experience and legendary perfection to the Volvo Laser SB3 Grand Prix.
5. 'Team Maclaren'; Headed by Becky Britton, Sailing Coach and new mother
at Dubai Offshore Sailing Club, this all women's team will be creating history in the GCC by not only competing in the full Grand Prix series, but by shooting for victory.
"Volvo is keen on encouraging sailing in the region and the Volvo Laser SB3 Middle East Grand Prix echoes our international Volvo Ocean Race" said Roula Beiruty, Marketing Manager, Volvo Cars Middle East. "Interest in the race has been increasing year on year both regionally and internationally. With the support of Laser and ART Marine, Volvo Cars Middle East is committed to the future of this prestigious sailing event."
Along with these local fleet stand outs there will be entries by international sailing teams such as Holt, Harken, Seldon Spars, and Hyde Sails.
"This is the first time these teams will compete in the GCC region, lured here by the prestige of the Volvo Laser SB3 Middle East Grand Prix. We are looking forward to learning as much as possible from these masters of the sailing industry and sport" said Russell Burns, Sailing Director, ART Marine. "We have just received a new shipment of Laser SB3's with the next boats being delivered in time for Eid, enabling teams to train hard over the holiday," added Burns.
International private competitors have also expressed interest in using the Volvo Laser SB3 Middle East Grand Prix as a winter training ground for their assault on the Laser SB3 European Championships that will take place in Dublin in September 2008. Teams include runners up in the Irish National Championship, Ronan Collins, and Geoff Carveth, multiple European and World Championship winning yachtsman, currently at the top of the European Laser SB3 Fleet.
Volvo, Laser and ART Marine are now half way to their goal of seeing twenty boats on the water for the competition by the end of the season, and interested parties can contact the organizers at sailing@artmarine.net or on +971 50 458 0891
The Grand Prix calendar is as follows:
Grand Prix Opening Round
October 19th & 20th, Dubai Offshore Sailing Club
Grand Prix Round Two
November 23rd & 24th, Ras Al Khaimah
Grand Prix Round Three
December 14th & 15th, Abu Dhabi International Marine Club
Grand Prix Round Four
January 25th & 26th, Muscat, Oman
Grand Prix Round Five
February 8th & 9th, Fujairah International Marine Club
Grand Prix Final Round
March 14th & 15th, Dubai International Boat Show, DIMC
- Ends -
For further press information, please contact:
Leila Amar
Account Director
Tel: +971 50 451 3876
Tel: +971 4 305 0318
e-mail: Leila.amar@ogilvy.com
© Press Release 2007
