Knut Frostad launches new entry for Volvo Ocean Race
by Lizzie Green 12 Jul 2000 17:42 BST
Knut Frostad launches new Norwegian entry in the Volvo Ocean Race 2001-2002
Oslo, Norway - Knut Frostad, a veteran of two Whitbread Round the World
Races, announced yesterday there will be a Norwegian entry on the starting
line of the Volvo Ocean Race in Southampton 23rd September 2001. This is
the third Norwegian entry in the history of the race, the latest being
Innovation Kvaerner '97-'98, skippered by Knut Frostad.
The management teams of Kvaerner Innovation Whitbread Team have joined Knut
Frostad yet again, and are well on their way with the preparations for the
world's premier ocean race.
The post-analysis of the Kvaerner Innovation Whitbread Team Campaign made a
good foundation for the new syndicate, and there is a strong and
enthusiastic project organisation backing the new campaign. The team will
build two new Volvo Ocean 60s to make the most out of the two-boat training
period prior to and during the race itself, and the team will focus a lot
of time and resources on sail-design and sail-testing. Several of the
sailors from the Kvaerner Innovation Whitbread Team Campaign will be among
the crew. Among them Espen Guttormsen (NOR), who was one of the helmsmen
and trimmers on Innovation Kvaerner. Ed Baird (USA), Skipper of the
Americas Cup entry Young America and tactician on Innovation Kvaerner will
also be involved in the new campaign.
Knut Frostad's shore team so far consists of Harald Hjort and BJ Grimholt,
respectively Project Manager and Shore Manager of the Kvaerner Innovation
Whitbread Team. In addition a lot of the sponsors and supporters from the
last campaign are yet again part of the team. The new sponsor-family
consists of the following companies:
Main Sponsor:
- Djuice.com Mobile Internet portal
- Backed by Telenor Mobile Communications
Sponsors:
- Nera ASA Radio & satellite communications company
- NutriPharma ASA - Pharmaceutical and Nutrition
- SAS Norge AS - Scandinavian Airlines Systems
- Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines AS - World-wide shipping services
Suppliers:
- Helly Hansen ASA - Sailing gear and team clothing
Partners:
- TV2 Media-partner
- Wiersholm Mellbye & Bech - Lawyers
- JBR McCann - Advertising Agency
- Scandinavian Design Group - Graphic Design
- Business Navigation - Accountant and cost control systems
The new campaign has a total budget of US$ 14 million. The Kvaerner
Innovation Whitbread Team Campaign had an estimated marketing value of US$
52,5 million, which indicates a good return on investment for the sponsors.
Boat construction will commence this autumn. Both new boats will be used in
two-boat testing from the day they hit the water, with the new crew in
place. The teams training base will most likely be located in
Southern-Europe, or on the East Coast of the USA, during the winter of
2002. The last period before the race, the team plans to spend in Norway
with Sandefjord or Fredrikstad as two likely candidate cities.
More Information: