Surf and SUP Sensation Laird Hamilton Signs On as Honorary 12th Crew Member for the PUMA Ocean Racing Team
Adventure at Sea Begins with Monster Waves, Pioneering New Products and an Ocean Preservation Campaign Led By 13th Crew Member Mascot.
PUMA Ocean Racing and VOR 2011-2012
As the honorary 12th crew member, Hamilton will also serve as a fitness and nutrition coach for the PUMA Ocean Racing team, applying his proprietary regimen to get the boys ready to face Mother Nature's fury at sea. Hamilton's fitness routine varies based on the conditions, but he believes a program should be both functional and fun. He focuses on building speed, strength and endurance through specialized circuit training in the gym. Hamilton also practices yoga and uses his "anywhere workout" for exercising in different locations – from the beach to a hotel room. After working up an appetite, Hamilton's diet centers on eating for performance, health and, of course, pleasure.
The PUMA Ocean Racing team is once again under the leadership of Ken Read (Newport, Rhode Island, United States). The core includes: Tom Addis, Navigator (Sydney, Australia); Ryan Godfrey, Trimmer & Driver (Adelaide, Australia); Kelvin Harrap, Trimmer & Driver (Napier, New Zealand); Brad Jackson, Design Coordinator & Watch Captain (Auckland, New Zealand); Rome Kirby, Trimmer & Driver (Newport, Rhode Island, USA); Michael "Michi" Muller, Bowman (Kiel, Germany); Tony Mutter, Aerodynamics Coordinator & Watch Captain (Auckland, New Zealand); Casey Smith, Systems Manager & Bowman (Brisbane, Australia); Jonathan "Jono" Swain, Helmsman & Trimmer (Durban, South Africa); Arden Oksanen, Media Crew Member (Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA); Kimo Worthington, General Manager (Portsmouth, Rhode Island, United States); and Tim Hacket, Shore Team Manager (Sydney, Australia).
The management and sailing team for PUMA Ocean Racing shares a level of success difficult to match with 22 Volvo Ocean Race entries and 20 America's Cup editions. Collectively, the core team holds seven 24-hour mono hull speed records and has won the Around the World Race seven times.
"The unique part of this collaboration with Laird Hamilton is that on the boat we're trying to avoid the monster waves whereas he's trying to find them! The fact is we can't elude those waves, so we'll be a good indicator of where he may be able to drop in," said Read. "It's also rare to have a designer, like Juan K, and a larger development team involved in so many other aspects of a program beyond just a boat. Personally, I can't wait to get out and paddle on one of the PUMA/LAIRD boards – if it has half the performance of PUMA's Mar Mostro, it's an activity you won't want to miss."
PUMAVision Ocean Preservation Campaign
In keeping with PUMA's long-term commitments to sustainability, for the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA will reach out to young sailing and sports fans to raise awareness and learn about the importance and shared responsibilities of ocean preservation. PUMA's environmental campaign will be fronted by Marmo, a specially created "sea monster" mascot whose identity was inspired by PUMA's Mar Mostro. Marmo, PUMA's honorary 13th crew member, will be the face of PUMA's ocean conservation efforts aimed at young children. His adventures will be featured in a children's book, available this fall that teaches youngsters what they can do in their daily lives to help protect marine resources. Additionally, Marmo will be the star of a comprehensive educational campaign that includes family events in port stop-overs, and online activities including practical tips, games, quizzes and more. Children can follow Marmo on his journey with the PUMA Ocean Racing team online.
General Background
For the 2011-2012 race, PUMA Ocean Racing has proudly partnered with BERG Propulsion, one of the world's leading designers and producers of controllable pitch propellers for commercial shipping. BERG Propulsion products are designed and engineered with the reduction of adverse environmental impact in mind, striving to bring fuel savings and environmental benefits to every product. This commitment to sustainability and strive for high performance makes them a perfect partner for PUMA.
PUMA first announced their entry into the Sailing category in May 2007, when they officially entered into the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 with the PUMA Ocean Racing Team aboard il mostro, which was skippered by Ken Read and netted an impressive second-place finish. In tandem with the race, the sportlifestyle brand launched a full line of performance and lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories. The PUMA Sailing performance gear valiantly withstood some of the toughest wear-testing on earth, subject to gale-force winds, torrential rain, extreme heat and below-freezing cold as the PUMA Ocean Racing covered 39,000 nautical miles in the gear during the VOR 2008-2009.
The sailing performance collections have been updated for the VOR 2011-2012 and now feature patented GORE-TEX® technology, specifically highlighting GORE-TEX® Pro Shell professional outerwear. Exceptionally rugged and durable, GORE-TEX® Pro Shell garments are developed by sailors for sailors. The products are tested in the field, proving to be breathable while also durable, windproof and waterproof, and are the optimum solution for to use under extremely tough conditions.
PUMA is the official supplier of Volvo Ocean Race merchandise. In keeping with PUMA's sustainability goals, a majority of the Volvo Ocean Race merchandise, PUMA Ocean Racing fanwear, and PUMA Ocean Outerwear collection is comprised of environmentally responsible products made from 100% organic cotton, 100% recycled polyester, and/or developed with an environmentally-friendly, safe and healthy process. The Volvo Ocean Racing collection will be available at each race stopover port and at www.volvooceanrace.com. The PUMA Ocean Racing fanwear and PUMA Ocean Outerwear collection will be available at www.puma.com and select PUMA retailers globally.
The Volvo Ocean Race is an exceptional test of sailing prowess and human endeavor and is widely known as the 'Everest of Sailing.' During the nine months of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012, which starts in Alicante, Spain, in November 2011 and concludes in Galway, Ireland, in July 2012, the teams will sail more than 39,000 nautical miles of the world's most treacherous seas via Cape Town, South Africa; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Sanya, China; Auckland, New Zealand; around Cape Horn to Itajai, Brazil; to Miami, Florida, USA; Lisbon, Portugal; Lorient, France, finishing in Galway.
For more information on PUMA Sailing go to www.puma.com/sailing. The new website features interactive elements to drive fan interest. The page is designed to provide, real-time race updates, team news, crew bios and will also house a media site where all imagery and videos of the team and PUMA's racing boat can be easily downloaded.
For more information on the race, team and crew visit www.puma.com/sailing
