First entry for IMS Worlds

Finnish Grand Soleil 42R of Jani Lehti signs up

The entry lists for the IMS World Championship 2007 at Hankoe opened this week and Jani Lehti (FIN) became the first entry with his Alfa Romeo, a Grand Soleil 42R. He’s aiming for a podium place in the championship.

Jani Lehti has just bought the Grand Soleil 42R. The boat was launched last week with the colours of Alfa Romeo on the side. Team Alfa Romeo has sailed together for eleven years. Last year they campaigned a Vroljik 42 in Northern Europe and finished 4th overall in the Eurocard Gotland Round, their best result. Over the last three years Lehtis' team has been the top Finnish IMS boat in their national rankings.

This year they will be participating in both the Eurocard Gotland Round and the Finnish IMS Championship, but their main goal is a podium place at the IMS Worlds at Hankoe in Norway in August.

But Lehti's won’t be the only team that’s going for the medals. Team Alfa Romeo will meet more GS 42Rs on the race course at Hankoe - at least that’s what the rumour mill is saying.

The IMS World Championship, arranged by KNS and Norwegian Offshore Racing Club, will officially start on 11 August and will comprise three days of inshore races, plus one short and one long offshore race. The winner will be honoured on 18 August. The Norwegian Offshore Racing Club expects 40-50 boats from all over Europe.

Silver sponsor for the IMS World are Belamarin, the Norwegian distributor of Raymarine. Robline has signed on as Bronze sponsor.

- We are very pleased with the way the IMS Worlds are heading. It’s important for us to reach the racing community where the action is and this event gives us access to 500 sailors direct. In addition we also get access to a PR and communication service that comes with the championship which will promote our brand, says Hans Christian Grande, marketing director in Belamarin AS.