Volvo Ocean Race- Mapfre named as Spanish team sponsor + Video

by Sail-World on 26 Sep 2014 The Volvo Ocean 65 'Mapfre' will sail under the colours of Spain in the new edition of the Volvo Ocean Race. It was confirmed today, Friday, that the insurance company Mapfre would become the naming rights sponsor of the Spanish team headed by Pedro Campos.

With this sponsorship Mapfre moves forward with its support to Spanish sailing, where it has been present in different sailing disciplines, such as Olympic and offshore sailing, claimed an official media release. Skipper Iker Martínez and Xabi Fernández, finished second in the two handed non-stop round the world race, the Barcelona World Race, back in 2011. The crossing of the Atlantic Ocean was its latest offshore campaign, with the accomplished mission of setting a new record in Columbus’ Discovery Route. The two also led Telefonica in the last edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Pedro Campos, CEO of the team, said the team is 'pleased and grateful to Mapfre for having its support in this new great adventure which is competing in the Volvo Ocean Race representing Spain. Mapfre has been supporting sailing for years and we have already worked together in big campaigns. Without a doubt, we will do our best to get Mapfre and Spain in the highest place we possibly can.'

Antonio Núñez, Mapfre Vice President, remarked 'being the main sponsor of a campaign like this one is an exceptional opportunity. The experience of this team and its excellent crew are great to represent the brand Mapfre around the world. We thank their effort to compete in such an adventure and we wish them a lot of success in this regatta.'

Knut Frostad, Volvo Ocean Race CEO, said 'this is great news for the race and we’re delighted to welcome Mapfre to our family of title sponsors. We know the global company has a love of sailing and share many common values with us, putting people at the heart of everything they do. They are backing a very strong crew which has already shown it will be competitive in what I believe will be another extremely closely contested race.'

The Volvo Ocean 65 'Mapfre' has a strong crew leaded by Olympic champions and offshore sailors Iker Martínez and Xabi Fernández. The crew is mainly formed by Spaniards but it also has an important international character, with other nationalities as Brazilian André Fonseca, the only Brazilian in the whole fleet, and Frenchman Michel Desjoyeaux, a top solo trans-oceanic competitor.

On October 4th, the Spanish team will compete in Alicante in the first inshore race of the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race. One week after, on the 11th, Leg 1 from Alicante to Cape Town (South Africa) will start, and with it the first points for the overall classification will be at stake.