BT backs Ellen MacArthur sailing team

by Offshore Challenges Sailing Team on 12 Sep 2007 Today [11th September 2007] in Paris, BT and legendary sailor Ellen MacArthur presented ‘BT Team Ellen’ outlining a unique partnership encompassing the sport of sailing and BT’s corporate social responsibility campaign under BT’s ‘Better World’ banner. BT Team Ellen will also be collaborating with Cisco, the worldwide leader in networking.

From Francois Barrault, CEO, BT Global Services: 'It’s wonderful to be taking our long-term relationship with Ellen that first began 10 years ago to the next level. Our mutual determination to win is matched by our shared desire to act responsibly towards the environments and societies in which we work. We believe that BT can make an important contribution by inspiring people and communities to make a better world through the power of communication skills and technology.

'In addition to our investment in the communities where we operate, we are working to create new products and services that will help our customers do business in a responsible way and become more sustainable. Through this new partnership with Ellen, we hope that we can make an even bigger difference for a better world.'

From Ellen MacArthur: 'I first came into contact with BT in 1995 when I won the BT/YJA Young Sailor of Year award at the age of 18 for passing my Yachtmaster Qualification, which is now an incredible 13 years ago! Since 1998 BT have been our communications partner, and were one of our founding partners. I am therefore delighted that our relationship has resulted in me being here in Paris to announce the title sponsorship for our sailing team, BT Team Ellen, that will incorporate the sailing programmes of our new IMOCA 60 monohull and the BT Extreme 40 campaign.

'With ours and BT’s combined passion for both sport and the world around us, I am convinced that the projects we will be working on together, both on and off the water, will help us to achieve our mutual objectives of not only being able to win races, but to promote the power of communications and technology to help create a better, more sustainable, world. When you sail around the world you have no choice but to be completely tuned into what is around you. How to harness the power of nature and manage the limited resources you are carrying on board. You sail around our planet and realise it’s not so big after all, and that it has it’s own fragility.

'By working as an ambassador for BT’s corporate social responsibility projects, we’ll be able to draw much more attention to those issues that effect people across the globe. Part of BT’s Better World Campaign aims to give all young people a voice and help them develop the communication skills they need to reach their full potential and achieve their life goals.

'For the sailing team, I have already been closely involved with the design of the new IMOCA 60 monohull and out on the water I plan to race in some of the crewed IMOCA races throughout the 2008-10 IMOCA World Championship and also participate in the 2008 Extreme 40 Sailing Series [see sailing programme below].

'Collectively, Nick, Seb and I, have sailed thousands of ocean miles, solo and with a crew; each of us has competed in the solo Vendée Globe and we believe that our shared experience will ultimately help Seb achieve his ultimate goal of podium success in 2008. Already we have worked closely together on the design and build of the new IMOCA 60 monohull. We are all driven individuals who have pursued many dreams in the past and who have been given some unbelievable opportunities. As part of the BT Team Ellen project we hope to be able to give similar opportunities to the next generation of young sailing talent.

'I firmly believe that teamwork is everything and I truly believe that with our combination of skills, our team has the potential to achieve extraordinary results both on and off the water. We look forward to proving that.'

Sébastien Josse to compete in next edition of The Transat and the solo Vendée Globe 2008/09.

French sailor, Sébastien Josse already has a very impressive track record and a real international stature. A product of the famous Figaro single-handed class, he quickly moved into the IMOCA 60 world and threatened the 'rock stars' in the 2004 Vendée Globe before hitting a growler (part of a broken iceberg), an incident that compromised his chances of stepping on the podium. Sébastien was appointed skipper of ABN AMRO 2 for the 2005-2006 Volvo Ocean Race and during the race broke the 24-hour monohull record with an impressive 562.96 mile run – a record that still stands today. This winter Sébastien is competing in the double-handed, non-stop round the world race called the Barcelona World Race departing on 11th November with previous Vendée Globe winner, Vincent Riou.

'I’ve been working with Ellen’s team right from the conception of the Farr designed IMOCA 60 they have been building since last summer, which will become my racing boat for the Vendée. I’m extremely motivated and looking forward to stepping onboard her early next year in time for The Transat, the final hurdle before what will be the most competitive ever Vendée Globe in November 2008. It’s a real pleasure for me to be teaming up with BT.'

Nick Moloney skippers BT Extreme 40.

Part of the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team since 2002, Nick is currently in his first season of racing an Extreme 40. After three iShares Cup Extreme 40 events, Nick has skippered his international crew into third place overall ahead of the final event taking place in Amsterdam this coming weekend. Nick’s enthusiasm for sport, and life, knows no bounds and his career has spanned both crewed events, such as, the America’s Cup, Jules Verne Trophy and the Volvo Ocean Race, as well as solo events like the Route du Rhum, Mini Transat and the Vendée Globe.

'The Extreme 40s are just awesome to race, requiring 100% focus at all times. It is very different to offshore sailing but requires just as much dedication to achieve success on the water. It is a pleasure to be part of this team working alongside Ellen and Seb, who are not only consummate professionals, but also close friends.'

BT Team Ellen: sailing programme

IMOCA Ocean Racing World Championship Circuit 2008-2010

IMOCA activity in 2008:
April 2008 – Launch of the boat
May 2008 - The Transat (solo transatlantic)
June 2008 – Round the Island Race (crewed)
August 2008 – Skandia Cowes Week (crewed)
November 2008 to February 2009 – Vendée Globe (solo, non-stop around the world)

IMOCA activity in 2009:
February 2009 – Finish of the Vendée Globe Race
May 2009 – Calais Round Britain & Ireland Race (crewed)
June 2009 – Round the Island Race (crewed)
August 2009 – Cowes Week (crewed)
August 2009 – The Fastnet Race (crewed)
September-November 2009 – Transat Jacques Vabre Race (two crew) or other European event tbc by the IMOCA class

IMOCA activity in 2010:
To be confirmed

Extreme 40 Races for the 'iShares Cup' Extreme 40 European Sailing Series 2007 and 2008

Extreme 40 Races in 2007
7 – 9 July: Marseille, France (4th place)
3 -5 Aug: Cowes, UK (2nd place)
14 – 16 Sept: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Extreme 40 Races in 2008
The BT Extreme 40 will compete in the 2008 iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series to include at least four similar events to those included in 2007.

To download high resolution copyright free images for editorial use, please click on the links below. Please credit all images to Mark Lloyd / DPPI / BT Team Ellen.

Ellen MacArthur, Nick Moloney and Sébastien Josse onboard BT Extreme 40:
http://www.ocftp2.com/MacArthur_Josse_Moloney_1.jpg
http://www.ocftp2.com/MacArthur_Josse_Moloney_2.jpg

BT Extreme 40 sailing:
http://www.ocftp2.com/BT_Extreme40_1.jpg
http://www.ocftp2.com/BT_Extreme40_2.jpg

http://btteamellen.com