Australia’s Nick Moloney's Solo Round the World campaign

by Skandia UK & with additions by TetraMedia on 25 Jan 2004 Nick Moloney's 2004 Round the World race campaign was given a huge boost tonight at Skandia Geelong Week as Skandia announced crucial sponsorship
which enables Moloney to secure Ellen MacArthur's famous Open 60 (ex-Kingfisher that completed the 2000/2001 Vendée Globe) and prepare the boat for racing.

Moloney was the first competitor to register his entry for the 2004 Vendée Globe race and will become the first Australian to ever compete
in this non-stop round the world race that starts on 6th November 2004 from Les Sables d'Olonne on the north-west coast of France.

In front of a huge crowd of sailors, Moloney was cheered as the sponsorship was announced.

'Skandia's support has come at a critical time for my Vendée Globe 2004 project,' said Moloney at Skandia Geelong Week. 'With their funding I
can now look ahead to modifying the boat for The Transat race in May this year, and set the final platform for my Vendée Globe assault.'

Moloney added, 'I’m really looking forward to working with Skandia to realise my dream of competing in this awesome event'.

Skandia co-sponsored Moloney and Samantha (Sam) Davies to compete in the two-handed Transat Jacques Vabre race last November on the Open 60
renamed 'Team Cowes'.

'We have been hugely impressed with the commitment and professionalism of both Nick and Sam, not only in their pursuit of achieving their sailing goals, but also in their dedication to helping others enjoy the sport of sailing' said Andre Oszmann,
Skandia's Group Marketing Director.

'Skandia have been a long supporter internationally of sailing at all levels, and a key aim of our Skandia Set Sail programme is to give aspiring sailing individuals the chance to realise their dreams. Nick has proven his determination over and over again and at Skandia we are equally determined to ensure he competes in the 2004/5 Vendée Globe.'

Skandia have already provided sufficient funds for Moloney to secure the Open 60 for the year, prepare her for racing and to compete in one of the big solo races this year - The Transat from Plymouth to Boston starting on 31st May - and will assist with securing other partners to complete the support required for Moloney's Vendée Globe participation.

The race has a rich history and has created many of today's sailing legends. The Vendée Globe represents the third and final sailing goal
that Moloney set himself nearly a decade ago: 'When I sat down and thought about what sailing goals I really wanted to achieve, three were completely evident,' said Moloney.

'To race round the world with a crew [which he did competing in the 1997-98 Whitbread Round the World Race on board Dennis Conner’s 'Toshiba']

To set the fastest circumnavigation of the globe non stop under sail with a crew [he was the only non-Frenchman among Bruno Peyron's crew when they set a new non-stop round the world Jules Verne record of 64 days on board the maxi-catamaran 'Orange' in May 2002]

…. and to race around the globe solo.

I have been a professional sailor since I was 21 and I cannot imagine doing anything else, but these particular objectives I have set myself
are the pinnacles of that career...

The Vendée is the final pinnacle for me and I am prepared to give it everything to get there.'

Moloney has also competed in two America's
Cup campaigns, in 1992 and 1995.

Moloney added 'being able to make this announcement on home turf makes it even more special.'

His CV boasts nine sailing World Speed Records and one Guinness World
Record.

While Nick was growing up in the Geelong region, close by in Ocean
Grove, he was a regular surfer and wind surfer on the local beaches. It
was in 1998 he became the first and still the only person to windsurf
200 miles non-stop across the Bass Strait from mainland Australia to the
Island of Tasmania.

The young Victorian was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for
services rendered to the sport of sailing.

Grant Wharington, owner-skipper of Skandia, the super-maxi yacht -winner
of line honours in the 2003 Rolex Sydney-Hobart race, and Nick’s long
term friend and sailing companion said on this occasion:

“It's fantastic to see Team Skandia go from strength to strength with
fellow Australian yachtsman getting support from Skandia. We have
benefited from their involvement in our Skandia Wild Thing campaign for
some years now.

It has been both a pleasure and certainly a competitive advantage to be
supported by such a forward thinking and enthusiastic sponsor. We are
still on a high from our recent Rolex Sydney-Hobart win and wish Nick
all the best in this new and exciting venture. Go Team Skandia!”

John Bertrand, skipper of Australia II in the 1983 America's Cup, the
first man to wrest the trophy from the New York Yacht Club, knows Nick
Moloney well. Nick was a sailing team member on oneAustralia, Bertrand’s
1995 America’s Cup campaign.

Of this latest step towards the completion of Nick’s objectives,
Bertrand said:

'Nick Moloney is a winner. He has focused in on every goal he has ever
set himself with unreserved commitment and application. His efforts
have been extraordinary...Whitbread, Jules Verne record holder and now
his ultimate challenge...the 2004 Vendee Globe. Extraordinary people do
extraordinary things. Nick will continue to succeed'.

The announcement today coincides with Skandia Geelong Week in Victoria,
Australia, which Nick is attending with Sam Davies. Nick grew up in the
area and, with Sam, is helping competitors in Australia’s largest
regatta to improve their technique through the Skandia Squad initiative.

Skandia Geelong Week runs from 22-26 January 2004.

(Visit www.skandiageelongweek.com for more information.)