London, 29 June, 2011. Gamesa, a global wind power technology leader and a world reference in the development and sale of wind farms, and Mike Golding, OBE, have today announced their intention to be on the start line of the 2012 Vendee Globe in Les Sables d’Olonne, France, on 10 November 2012 with the IMOCA Open 60 Gamesa.
Billed as ‘the Everest of yacht racing’, this will be the fourth start for the Hampshire, UK, based skipper; something he himself describes as ‘unfinished business’.
Mike Golding is one of the world’s most accomplished solo ocean sailors. With over 250,000 racing miles and some 25 equator crossings, he has competed in three previous Vendée Globes, held three world championship titles and created a reputation for being “King of the South”, setting the fastest speed record in the Southern Ocean.
Golding commented, “This is obviously fantastic for us to be able to formally announce our partnership with Gamesa. With Gamesa’s support and our existing infrastructure we are now certain to be able to mount a very competitive campaign for the 2012 Vendée Globe – which is simply wonderful news. Having enjoyed enormous success in the sport of sailing, the Vendee Globe remains ‘the event’ I would most love to win.”
Mike Golding’s Owen Clarke/Clay Oliver - designed Open 60 is currently undergoing some major optimisation work including new mast, sailplan, coachroof and cockpit arrangement. the target is to be on the water again later this summer. To read more about the changes click here.The first major event for the team will be the double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre from France to Costa Rica in October 2011.
During May 2012 the Gamesa IMOCA 60 will race fully crewed in the Europa Race (a tour of Europe) before the team makes final preparations for the non-stop solo around the world race, the Vendée Globe.
For video of the launch and 3D representation of the Gamesa Open 60 go to: Gamesa launch
For more information and high resolution graphics go to: mikegolding.com
