Team Basilica sign 2nd Volvo Ocean Race Winner

by Vicki Prince on 12 May 2007
The Extreme 40 Racing Team ‘Basilica’ today announce the addition of Volvo Ocean Race winner Justin Slattery to the team.

Justin will join fellow VOR winner and new Basilica Skipper Robert Greenhalgh, on board the 40ft cat alongside Peter Greenhalgh and James Grant for the forthcoming iShares cup series that will take place throughout Europe this summer.

Nick Gorringe, Basilica Managing Director comments 'Justin is a great addition to the team, he is a proven winner at many different levels of competitive sailing and I am confident that his contribution both on and off the water will give Basilica the best chance possible of success in the series.'

At the age of just 31, Justin Slattery became the first Irishman to win the most famous yacht race in the world - the gruelling Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006 (formally the Whitbread). This victory last summer, on the yacht ABN Amro One, was the third time he has sailed around the world in five years.

Justin, from Wexford,is one of the most accomplished sailors in the world. In 2004 he broke the round the world record onboard the yacht Cheyenne, becoming the fastest crew to sail the globe in a mere 58 days – taking a huge six days off the previous record..

Justin has competed in all the prestigious ocean races in the world, including five Fastnets’ and five Sydney-Hobarts’.

Upon joining Team Basilica, Justin stated 'Since competing in and winning the Volvo Ocean race last year with team ABN AMRO I’ve been sailing on several different yachts from TP 52’s to giants like Mari Cha IV. Now sailing on the extreme 40 with team Basilica; this is a fantastic opportunity to sail and a very exciting fun catamaran with an awesome crew for the iShares circuit this summer.'

Team Basilica are currently preparing for the iShares Cup and will once again be going all out to win and improve on last years second place overall, with a new look crew and first rate support from Basilica and co-sponsors Holt, Fat Face and Henri Lloyd they are raring to go.