Alkistis-ΕΝΘΕΤΟ Sailing

Brad Jackson and Stu Bannatyne, watch captains on Ericsson 4 during the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race, and mutliple race winners, have been named as joint winners of the New Zealand Sailor of the Year award.

Franck Cammas and his crew on giant trimaran Groupama 3 have abandoned their attempt on the Jules Verne Trophy after sustaining damage to an aft beam bulkhead on the approach to the Cape of Good Hope.

The 2008-09 race generated sufficient economic impact for the host port events to be “amongst the sports world’s highest impact, short-duration major sports events”, according to an independent study.

The media results for 2008-09 show a substantial increase in reach and value over the 2005-06 event. A multi-channel communications approach has broadened the race's appeal particularly in new territories.

Torben Grael, who skippered Ericsson 4 to a convincing victory in the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race, has added to his collection of sailing accolades by winning the 2009 ISAF World Sailor of The Year award.