Ecover commits to the future of Mike Golding Yacht Racing
by Sophy Williams 11 Mar 2003 13:33 GMT
Golding to compete in Vendée Globe with new generation Owen Clarke Open 60
Mike Golding Yacht Racing is delighted to announce that Title Sponsor, Ecover, producers of ecological washing & cleaning products, has committed substantially to the long-term future of the team. At a press conference in London, the team announced today that the build of a brand new Owen Clarke Open 60 was in progress at Southern Ocean Marine Ltd in Tauranga.
Golding comments, “the support from Ecover heralds the start of a new long-term partnership that will be fully incorporated into the company’s marketing strategy and the new boat gives Mike Golding Yacht Racing the opportunity to re-structure and develop the company. We are entering a very exciting phase.” With two premier Open 60s to race, the Challenge 67 for corporate hospitality, and dedicated crews and support staff, the company is set for a great future.
Perhaps the most exciting new development is that Golding will skipper the Owen Clarke Open 60 in the 2004 Vendée Globe, where he will be fighting for the success that eluded him in 2000. Fresh from a fantastic showing in the 2002 Route du Rhum, Golding is looking forward to the challenge.
Entering the third year of partnership between Ecover and Mike Golding Yacht Racing, the team has big plans for the future. The team will run a total of 3 boats from its base in Ocean Village, Southampton. The all-new Owen Clarke Open 60 will be in the UK by summer 2003 and skippered by Golding, will enter its first race The Transat Jacques Vabre, in November. The current Finot 60 will race in all 2003 IMOCA events, including the Round Britain Challenge and the classic Fastnet Race.
The Mike Golding Yacht Racing commercial team is actively seeking both new talent and sponsors to campaign the existing 60 in the Transat Jacques Vabre and through to the Vendée Globe.
The team’s Challenge 67 (winning yacht in the BT Global Challenge), now branded in Ecover colours, will be the centerpiece of a new corporate hospitality project, enabling the public to get a taste of sailing racing thoroughbreds.
Mick Bremans, Managing Director of Ecover commented, “our sponsorship of Mike Golding Yacht Racing has lead to a massive presence of our brand name in the media and that's our main aim - to increase the recognition of our brand and ecological messages. Both Mike and Ecover rely on the power of nature – it’s a perfect match, so we are delighted to announce a long-term relationship, allowing us to realise maximum value for the company. We will be promoting our entire range of ecological cleaning products across the world using the yacht racing and power of nature themes. It's an exciting time for us all.”