Leading independent sailing company, Team Pindar, has joined forces with Dubai-based global logistics provider GAC, to form a ‘Team GAC Pindar’ entry in this year’s European Extreme Sailing Series, which begins in Sète, Southern France on 27 May, 2010.
The dual entry will race under a British flag and will be skippered by Australian all-round yachtsman and experienced Extreme 40 sailor, Nick Moloney. Nick has competed in the series since it began in 2007 and boasts a rich and successful sailing career, including 2 America’s Cup campaigns and 12 individual World Sailing Speed Records. He will be joined by three other accomplished international sailors - Britons Andy Walsh (helmsman) and Olly Smith (bowman), plus New Zealand yachtsman, Fraser Brown (trimmer).
Now in its fourth year, the Extreme Sailing Series is owned and managed by OC Events and is one of the most exciting events on the sporting calendar. It unites some of the world’s best sailors at stunning locations, where they compete on spectacular, high-speed 40-ft catamarans. The simple race format allows spectators to follow the action up-close from the shoreline and a select few are offered the chance of enjoying an adrenalin-packed ‘5th Man’ passenger-ride alongside the professionals.
Director of Team Pindar, Nick Crabtree commented, “The Extreme Sailing Series combines all that is exciting about sport and offers some fantastic marketing and hospitality opportunities at key territories around Europe. We are delighted to be joining a world class line-up and are looking forward to some exciting and competitive racing.”
Team Pindar has operated as an independent sailing company since 2008. It has been actively supporting sailing campaigns for the past 30 years, including entries on the IMOCA 60 circuit, the World Match Racing Tour and individuals at grassroots levels through to the very pinnacle of the sport.
This is the first time the team has entered the Extreme Sailing Series. Its partner for the jointly-managed ‘Team GAC Pindar’ entry is the global logistics provider GAC, which delivers a complete range of international supply chain and logistics solutions, including air and sea freight, warehousing and distribution, road transportation, project logistics, ship spares logistics, international moving and courier services.
Captain Peter Gronberg, Managing Director of GAC (Bahrain) said: “We have been working closely with Team Pindar over the last year on its Sail Bahrain project and it has become clear that there are a number of synergies and business opportunities for a sailing team and a shipping and logistics service provider to work together. We are thrilled to be partnering the team in the Extreme Sailing Series, as we look to extend our niche maritime services into the European market.”
Team Pindar has named international environmental organisation Earthwatch as its nominated charity, to help raise awareness of its oceans research programme, which comprises projects around the world, studying coastal ecosystems and threatened marine species.
The 2010 Extreme Sailing Series begins on May 27 in Sète, France before visiting four other European destinations: Cowes (UK), Kiel (Germany), Trapani (Italy) and Almeria (Spain).
