Delta Lloyd to sponsor second Irish entry

Ger O'Rourke's Volvo Ocean Race campaign gets backing

Impressively, having not fielded a team since NCB Ireland in 1989-90, Ireland looks set to have two entries in the Volvo Ocean Race. Property developer Ger O'Rourke, well known for having campaigned his Cookson 50 Chieftain across the globe, including a win in the last Rolex Fastnet Race, earlier this year acquired the former ABN AMRO One 2005-6 race winner from Ericsson Racing Team, which had been using it as their training boat.

O'Rourke has been playing his cards closely to his chest since then as he has attempted to round up sponsorship to enable him to get his team around the world. And so on Wednesday this week we are expecting to confirmation of his team's sponsorship from Dutch insurance company Delta Lloyd. This company has several ties with yachting already - this year they were the new sponsor of the former SPA/Holland Regatta for the Olympic classes. Part of their make-up includes ABN AMRO Verzekeringen, a company that sells Delta Lloyd insurance through ABN AMRO banks. Delta Lloyd is also mostly owned by another insurance giant - none other than Dee Caffari's sponsor Aviva.

More details on the sponsorship are expected on Wednesday. Meanwhile the team's VO70, where it is believed former Brasil 1 crewman New Zealander Stu Wilson holds a major role, is now on its way to Alicante having left the Royal Western Yacht Club of Ireland yesterday. This follows the boat being in refit in Limerick to make her comply with the modifications to the Volvo Open 70 rule for this Volvo Ocean Race.