New sponsor for Three Peaks

Magellan step in to back yacht racing, mountain running event

Magellan®, the consumer brand of Thales (TAL-Less) Navigation, has joined forces with the organisers of the UK’s toughest sporting challenge, the Barmouth to Fort William Three Peaks Yacht Race, by taking the title sponsorship for the 2003-2004 events.

The Three Peaks Yacht Race, which starts on Saturday 21 June 2003, is the ultimate test of courage and endurance for sailors, runners and climbers and provides the ideal environment to test Magellan GPS receivers to their limits. The race involves sailing up the west Coast of the UK and climbing the three peaks of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis, the highest respectively in Wales, England and Scotland. It will start as usual from Barmouth on the Wales coast on 21 June, visiting Caernarfon and Whitehaven before finishing in Fort William.

Race Director, Meic Ellis, said: "We are delighted that Magellan has taken up the title sponsorship of the Three Peaks Yacht Race which is probably the hardest race in the UK. It will provide an excellent opportunity for the competitors to use the new hand-held SporTrak Color ™ GPS, whether on the yachts or up a mountain.”

The race comprises a maximum of 25 yachts, sailing a total of 389 nautical miles, cycling 30 miles and walking/running another 59 miles.

Each competing team will receive a Magellan SporTrak Color handheld GPS to aid navigation when ashore and afloat. Winner and runner up prizes will be presented at the Magellan Prize Giving Dinner in Harlech, Wales.

Magellan, a leader in GPS technology for leisure activities, sees The Magellan Three Peaks Yacht Race as the ideal showcase for the recently launched Magellan SporTrak Color.

The Magellan SporTrak Color is the only handheld GPS to combine a vibrant, sunlight-viewable, colour display and three-axis electronic compass for easier navigation.

Rugged, waterproof and buoyant, the SporTrak Color has a 16-colour, high-resolution data display, which is crystal clear. Day or night the 1/8 VGA 240 x 160 pixel display gives optimal visibility. The three-axis electronic compass assures outdoorsmen accurate orientation in any position, whether they’re running, hiking or standing still, while the WAAS/EGNOS-enabled receiver delivers positioning accuracy within three metres. A built-in barometer helps track weather changes - a useful addition for both the climbers and sailors competing in the race.

The Magellan SporTrak Color retails for £379.95 in the UK. It is the latest addition in a series, which includes the SporTrak, SporTrak Map, SporTrak Pro and the all-new SporTrak Pro Marine.