Jul 1 2009
Advanced Composites Group Ltd (ACG), part of the Composites Division of Umeco plc, congratulates the skipper, Torben Grael, and the International crew of Ericsson 4 on their outstanding victory in the 08-09 Volvo Ocean Race (VOR), and extends this to the skipper, Magnus Olsson, and the Nordic crew of Ericsson 3 for their impressive 4th place.
Having amassed an impressive total of 108 points, giving a 13-point cushion over second place, Ericsson 4 had already clinched victory when it finished Leg 9 of the VOR in Stockholm on 15th June.
Ericsson Racing Team chose ACG as its 'Official Supplier' for composite materials for Ericsson 4 and Ericsson 3 way back in late 2007, when the planning stages commenced. Both boats use a range of ACG's ocean racing pedigree advanced carbon fibre marine products for their hull and decks.
The skippers, crews and the boats have withstood everything that nearly 37,000 nautical miles of the world's oceans could throw at them, and have come out at the end as conquerors in their own right.
The boats, designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian and built by Killian Bushe, have travelled the world's oceans at a remarkable pace in indescribable conditions, with Ericsson 4 breaking the 24 hour record on route. Both Kouyoumdjian and Bushe were familiar with ACG's materials from the onset, having had a close association with the Group for many years. ACG's Technology Centre and its highly skilled formulators and marine experts have shown their dedication to providing the best materials and build techniques for past and present builds, something that was also apparent in the 06-07 Volvo Ocean Race.
Killian Bushe has been at the forefront of composite boatbuilding technology since the early eighties and has produced many high quality lightweight racing, race yachts. Indeed, Bushe now has the enviable reputation of having built the winning boats for the last three Volvo Ocean Races - Illbruck, ABN 1, and now Ericsson 4. And it doesn't stop there; Bushe also built the Swedish Americas Cup yacht for Victory Challenge, which was manufactured in Gothenburg.
The proven pedigrees of the skippers, crews and support personnel for Ericsson 4 and Ericsson 3 have coalesced with the skills of the Kouyoumdjian and Bushe, proving that experience goes a long way when looking for the recipe to success.