Hatfield opens operations office

Canadian Open 60 skipper establishes base with Red Hot Learning

Veteran Ocean Racer Derek Hatfield and Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges announced today that Red Hot Learning Inc. (RHL) of Fredericton, NB will create the Atlantic Canada Regional Operations Office for the new Open 60 sailboat, Spirit of Canada, to take on the world in 2006.

Speaking on the Atlantic regional initiative and Red Hot Learning, Derek Hatfield, Skipper of Spirit of Canada and Managing Director of Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges noted “I am confident that the next race around the world will be as riveting and exciting as the last time for the millions of people that will follow the gruelling adventures of Spirit of Canada. With New Brunswick’s help and the opening of an Atlantic operation, this furthers our objective to make this a truly a Canadian historical event and help place New Brunswick in the forefront of the endeavour.

"In addition to rallying public and private sector support in Atlantic Canada, I am pleased to say that Red Hot Learning will assist in seeking development and production partnerships for the Spirit of Canada entry in the 5-Oceans Race. They also have the expertise to help us move into related new ventures designed to more fully capture the various educational and corporate learning program opportunities that we saw in the Around Alone Race and which are already beginning to present themselves for the 5-Oceans.”

Gary Stairs, President of Red Hot Learning, added: “the new partnership with Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges is a great fit with both RHL’s capabilities and our focus on business foresight, challenge and innovation. Derek’s ongoing achievements support our belief that a team of people can accomplish anything when they set their minds on a goal and commit themselves to a “never give up” attitude.”

The Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges Team is now actively seeking partners and sponsors to join in the quest for representation at this high level of competition. The IMOCA Open 60 Class events are conducted worldwide and are effective marketing platforms reaching an audience of millions. The Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges project is unique in that it is a 4-year sponsorship program of building, training and racing that involves marketing and advertising opportunities around the world.