Hatfield targets Vendee Globe

New Spirit of Canada Open 60 to miss Velex 5 Oceans

Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges today officially announced that Derek Hatfield will skipper the new Open 60 Spirit of Canada in the Vendee Globe 2008 (and not the Velux 5 Oceans). The Vendee Globe starting on November 9, 2008 is the most extreme yacht race in the world-around the world, singlehanded, non-stop and without assistance. The race is considered the ultimate challenge for singlehanded ocean racers.

"I am very proud to announce that the new Spirit of Canada Open 60 will soon leave the shop in Cobourg, Ontario and commence a race and sailing program covering the next two years leading up to the Vendee Globe 2008. My goals are to complete a non-stop circumnavigation and return safely to my family. Every finisher is a winner of this huge event, but my ultimate goal is to finish first and be the first Canadian sailor to win the Vendee Globe," says Hatfield.

Setting its sights on the Vendee Globe, which has become the most followed around-the-world race of its kind, marks a change of tack for Hatfield and the Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges team, whose initial goal was to compete in the Velux 5 Oceans this October.

"From the outset of the build we have focused on two things-building the fastest boat of its kinds ever made in North America, and winning. We are on course to achieve that, however from a timing perspective, the boat and the team are simply not ready to compete in the Velux 5 Oceans race," says Hatfield from the Cobourg build centre where he and a world-class team of builders from France and Canada are putting the final touches on the boat that is expected to be in the water by September.

"The new Open 60 is perfect in every way and there have been no compromises with the build. We have worked very hard for the past 18 months to make the start line for the October race, but circumstances beyond our control have slowed the construction. I have spoken to our current partners and they understand that it is not prudent to go into a round the world race without proper preparation."

Extending the horizon of the project, Hatfield remains focused on his long-held goal of increasing the level of exposure for sailing and excellence in competition in Canada. He and the team agreed that to make a successful mark, the team and its tools must be in a perfect competitive condition. Says Hatfield, "we are competing to win and there is just too much at stake at this high level of international sailing competition."

With the focus now on November 2008, Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges will participate in a number of singlehanded and crewed races, both in North America and Europe, vying for the IMOCA World Championship. These international races may include the Barcelona World Race, the Transat Jacques Vabre, Quebec-Saint Malo and The Transat. Hatfield commented; "Competing in the IMOCA Open 60 World Championship will be very demanding and we require solid partners for the race program that will take us to the Vendee Globe 2008."

The team will also continue its fundraising efforts, including offering sailing outings with Derek on board Spirit of Canada for individual and corporate sponsors. To date, over 3,300 individuals have put their name on the side of the hull of the Open 60 and the goal is to have 10,000 'crewmembers' sail around the world with Derek with their names on the hull of Spirit of Canada.

The Spirit of Canada team continues marketing initiatives to secure further individual and corporate partners. "I am confident that we will secure a major corporate partner to go with us to the Vendee Globe 2008. Offshore racing is now recognized as one of the most profitable marketing platforms in the world of sport sponsorships. With an average media return of approximately 20 times investment, I feel it is only a matter of time before additional partners jump onboard" says the team's Patianne Verburgh.

Hatfield concludes, "Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges appreciates the generosity of its many corporate partners and the thousands of Spirit of Canada crew members who have so faithfully supported the team. Without them, we would never be at this point with a viable boat. It has been a really long and tough road, and there is still a lot of work to do, but together we remain driven by the slogan "never give up."