PREMIER CHALLENGE  -     THE VOLVO OCEAN RACE 2005-2006

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PREMIER CHALLENGE : (Australia) The Australian team, Premier Challenge, headed by Grant Wharington, has been joined by ING Real Estate as Construction Sponsor. This sponsorship alleviated any financial concerns during design and construction phase. Don Jones, has been appointed as Chief Designer and construction of the boat began in October 2004, with a planned launch date of early June 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

July 24 marked the beginning of a more public persona, as Hart Marine and Premier Challenge joined forces to cajole the hull out of the shed, and on to a low loader truck.  After tens of thousands of man-hours in design and build time, the appearance of this first ever all-Australian effort, indicated to the outside world that the Premier Challenge indeed means business and is on its way to the start line in Spain in November 2005.

 

Mal Hart, Chief Builder, directed proceedings to ensure the move went off without a hitch. “This has been a great project for us to be involved in. The Volvo Rule stipulates all sorts of specific weight and strength ratios, and so it has been both exciting and challenging. I am proud that we have been able to exceed all expectations with regard to these issues – it is a really satisfying outcome.”

 

 

Premier Challenge Volvo Open 70

 

Together with the keel, painted bright orange in colour, the hull is bound for Melbourne Docklands, home of the Melbourne Stopover in January 2006. The keel will be fitted on Wednesday and then the yacht will perform an inversion test in front of the Waterfront City site on Thursday 7 July.

The hull, designed by Don Jones (designer of Wharington’s other racer “Skandia - Wild Thing”) has been painted white, with Construction Partner ING Real Estate’s branding towards the stern, and “Made in Melbourne Victoria” boldly stamped on the bow, reflecting the Victorian Government’s support of this project. The secret of Australia’s first ever Volvo Ocean Race entry Title Sponsor remains a mystery.

 

 


 

 

 

Premier Challenge will promote Victoria’s advanced design capabilities across the globe and the Victorian Government will provide $500,000 towards the $15 million project.

 

 

November 18 2004 - John Brumby, the Minister for Innovation, for the Victorian State Government in Australia, today welcomed plans to design and build Premier Challenge’s Volvo Open 70 in Victoria. The construction of the race boat began last week and it will be launched at the beginning of June next year.

Premier Challenge’s Volvo Open 70 is being built at Mornington and the Docklands Central Pier and it is currently the only Australian entry in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06.

 

John Brumby and Premier Challenge model

 


“Our funding from the Science, Technology and Innovation Initiative will be used to optimise the design of the yacht and support the showcasing of innovation in marine design, materials and construction,” Mr Brumby said.

Premier Challenge’s Volvo Open 70 will build on the success of the Victorian designed and manufactured Skandia Wild Thing, which is Australia’s most successful super-maxi yacht.

Facilities at Central Pier will enable the public to follow progress of the yacht’s construction and to learn more about the Volvo Ocean Race and the Melbourne stopover which the Premier announced in July last year.

At a later stage, the completed yacht will be on display with multi-media resources showing the yacht’s progress through the race.

Mr Brumby said that the Premier Challenge project reflects the Victorian Government’s commitment to the marine industry, which pumps over $2 billion annually into the State economy.

 

 

 

 

 

Related stories:

 

 

 

 

 

Contacts:

 

Premier Challenge

PO Box 1158

Mornington Vic 3931

Australia

 

Bindy Lockhart

Sponsorship Directo

Tel:  +61 3 5977 0096

Fax: +61 3 5977 0066

Mob: 0405 348 438

 

info@premierchallenge.com.au 

www.wildthingyachting.com.au

 

 

 

Sponsors:

 

 

                            

 

 

 

 


 

7 BOATS SEPTEMBER 2005 START ............... HOW MANY WILL COMPLETE

 

 

 

 

PLEASE USE THE LINKS ABOVE TO FOLLOW THE VOLVO OCEAN RACERS

 


 

 

 

 

Volvo Ocean Race
Ocean House
1490 Parkway
Whiteley
Fareham
Hampshire
PO15 7AF
T: +44 1489 564 555
F: +44 1489 564 333
info@volvooceanrace.org

 

 

 

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