Golding announces his crew

Swiss Open 60 skipper to come on board for Transat Jacques Vabre

Mike Golding, skipper of the Open 60 Ecover will team up with Swiss skipper Dominique Wavre for the 2005 Transat Jacques Vabre. The event will start from Le Havre, France on Saturday 5 November at 13h00 French time.

Mike Golding has always finished second and third in the Transat Jacques Vabre and is very motivated, this time around to take first place. The British skipper and his team have, as always, prepared the Open 60 Ecover thoroughly and meticulously for this 4,000-mile race from Le Havre to Bahia in Brazil.

“Whilst we haven’t sailed together as a team, we have sailed against each other for at least six years. This experience has given me a huge respect for his tenacity and ability, not withstanding his massive experience. The fact that Dominique has chosen an Owen Clarke Design for Temenos 2 is simply further indication of our similarities. I am confident that, together, we will have a fast, enjoyable and successful Transat Jacques Vabre ” explained Ecover’s skipper.

Dominique Wavre is very enthusiastic about the project and is looking forward to the opportunity of sailing with Mike: “ It was a fantastic surprise to receive Mike’s invitation. Especially since the timing is perfect as the shipyard will start building the moulds of my new boat. I am very happy to have the opportunity to sail onboard an Open 60 again, moreover on board Ecover, one of the best boats of the fleet. Mike is a great sailor for whom I have a lot of respect and we get along very well. This Transat adventure is starting under favourable auspices.”

Mike and Dominique are well aware of the challenge that lies ahead as the IMOCA fleet for this event is very competitive. “It will not be easy but I think that Dominique and I stand a good chance. We both have the experience, we are competitive and we both want to win,” says Mike.

With 11 round the world races and six Transat Jacques Vabre between them, the international duo should give all the competing teams a run for their money in a race that promises to be closely fought right to the finish line.