ABN AMRO launch second boat

Second Juan Kouyoumdjian design unveiled in Rotterdam

ABN AMRO, the global banking group, on Saturday christened ABN AMRO ONE, the second boat designed and built by TEAM ABN AMRO to take part in the world’s toughest yachting event, the Volvo Ocean Race.

ABN AMRO is unique in this race, it is the only team to enter two boats which has allowed them the chance to develop and learn about this new breed of boat. These are formula one racing yachts which have been meticulously designed and developed over the past 2 years. The cutting edge 70 foot boats, which will be the team’s home for more than 80 days at sea, will be raced through some of the most treacherous and desolate oceans on the planet.

ABN AMRO has selected an international group of the world’s leading sailors to compete on ABN AMRO ONE led by skipper Mike Sanderson. They will be racing for the ultimate prize in professional offshore yacht racing, victory in the Volvo Ocean Race. Reaching speeds of over 30 knots, the boats look set to break records but the fleet is made up of some of the greatest names in world sailing so there will be no compromise and no room for error.

While this boat will be used by CREW ONE, christened by Irene Groenink, spouse of the CEO of ABN AMRO, the first boat was christened in January and will be used by CREW TWO. The second crew is made up of four professional yachtsmen and eight ‘high potential’ sailors who have each won their place through an international competition to compete aboard ABN AMRO TWO. They will be skippered by French sailing star, Sebastien Josse.

The Volvo Ocean Race starts in Vigo, Northern Spain on Saturday 12 November 2005 and finishes in Gothenburg in July 2006, has taken place every four years since it’s inception in 1973. The fleet will cover five continents stopping in the following ports: Cape Town, Melbourne, Wellington, Rio, Baltimore, New York, Portsmouth and Rotterdam.

Mike Sanderson, commented: “I am delighted to be here at the christening and see ABN AMRO ONE officially launched. It has been the most incredible team effort to get this boat ready and looking this fantastic, so I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in this campaign so far for all their hard work. We are all very aware, however, that there is still a huge amount to do before we get to the start line and there is no time to waste. So, now we are looking forward to getting out on the water and carrying on with the continual modification process and preparation for the race start.”

Jan Berent Heukensfeldt Jansen, Managing Director of Team ABN AMRO commented: “Today is a very significant day for Team ABN AMRO, it marks the finish of one phase of the campaign and the start of the next. As a company we are very proud of Team ABN AMRO and all that they have achieved already, they are a formidable team. I am greatly looking forward to seeing this boat on the water and watching as the final push to the start line begins.”