Thirteen girls now crewing Amer Sports Too in Volvo Race.

by Volvo Ocean Race media on 20 Sep 2001 In response to a letter from Lisa McDonald, skipper of the Nautor
Challenge yacht Amer Sports Too, the Race Committee of the Volvo Ocean
Race has replied as follows:

'With reference to your letter dated 19th September 2001, the Race
Committee has considered your request. In view of the unanimous agreement
of all competing boats in the Volvo Ocean Race, the Race Committee grants
permission for Amer Sport Too to sail with 13 female crew members for the
duration of the Race.'

The request was also put to the other seven skippers in the race who
signed a letter agreeing to the additional crewmember.

The crew list for Amer Sports Too is now as follows:

Lisa McDonald (USA/GBR) Skipper
Genevieve White (AUS) Navigator
Anna Drougge (SWE) Trimmer and Sailmaker
Emma Westmacott (GBR/AUS) Watch Captain
Katie Pettibone (USA) Watch Captain
Bridget Suckling (NZL) Bow
Keryn Henderson (NZL) Foredeck, Helm and Medic
Sharon Ferris (NZL) Trimmer and Helm
Abigail Seager (GBR) Bow and Boat Captain
Eleanor Hay (GBR) Pit and Trimmer
Willenien Van Hoeve (NED/IRE) Trimmer
Klaartje Zuiderbaam (NED) Trimmer and Helm
Melissa Purdy (USA) Trimmer and Helm

The Nautor Challenge campaign
Nautor Challenge is a two-boat campaign owned by the Italian company
Nautor Swan, builders of the world famous Swan racing and cruising
yachts. A Swan 65, Sayula II won the first Whitbread Round The World
Race in 1973-74. Nautor wants to do it again. Participating in the VOR
also gives Nautor the ability to test new technology and systems,
designed to further improve the Swan yachts.

Partners:
UBS, a global investment services firm headquartered in Switzerland. UBS
employs 70,000 people in 50 countries and has more than 7 million
clients. In world markets, the Group has a leading position in private
banking, asset management, investment banking and private equity. UBS is
the world's largest asset manager and among the 10 largest banks in the
world.

Amer Sports, a leading worldwide supplier of sports equipment with
global brands such as Wilson (racquet sports, golf, team sports), Suunto
(outdoor and sports instruments) and Atomic (winter sports equipment).

The two Nautor Challenge yachts will race under the burgees of Yacht
Club Costa Smeralda, Italy and Nylandska Jaktklubben (NJK), Helsinki,
Finland.

For further press information on the Nautor Challenge, please contact
Warren Douglas – chaucerpartners@clear.net.nz or Mobile 07816 174695
Katarina Bonde - katarina@nautorchallenge.com or Mobile 07816 233325