Three year sponsorship deal for Conrad Humphreys

British former Vendee Globe skipper to campaign a Class40 in this autumn's Route du Rhum

Conrad Humphreys, 41 will make a return to solo ocean racing this November when he takes part in the French single-handed classic, the Route du Rhum onboard the Class 40, named Cat phones. A new three-year sponsorship has been agreed with Bullitt Group, the global licensee and manufacturer for rugged Cat phones and accessories.

The British triple round the world sailor will compete in the 10th anniversary edition of the 3,500 mile transatlantic race from St. Malo, France to Guadeloupe which starts on 2 November.

Humphreys has teamed up with former F1 Chief Technology Officer and CEO of Caterham Technology, Mike Gascoyne and former Figaro sponsor, DMS to launch the new sailing team racing under the brand name Cat phones. One of their objectives is to create a platform to support new and up and coming sailors to be able to reach their potential in major ocean races like the Vendee Globe.

Humphreys has chartered Mike’s Gascoyne’s 2013 Akilaria RC3 Class 40. His first event will be the crewed 1,800 mile Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race starting on 10 August, where he is joined by Artemis Offshore Academy sailor, Sam Matson, 23, Tom Gall and Boat Captain, Hugh Fletcher. The team is targeting a Class win in the race and if conditions allow, the opportunity to claim the Class record which currently stands at 9 days, 13 hrs and 57 mins.

All Cat equipment embodies the durable and reliable attributes of the Caterpillar brand and Cat phones are no exception, with the entire range of rugged mobiles certified to the highest industry standard for ruggedness, IP67, meaning they’re able to withstand a 1.8m drop onto concrete, be submerged in up to one metre of water for 30 minutes, and endure extreme temperatures, truly built for the task in hand.

Following on from the Round Britain, Humprheys will train in France and the UK, before heading to St Malo to join fellow Brit and sailing legend, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in the Route du Rhum.

Stephanie Forrest, CMO of Bullitt, worldwide licensee of Cat phones and accessories commented: “Sailing requires the mobile phone to be taken into an environment it’s not designed for, but our range of tough phones are waterproof, drop-proof and durable, built for the demands of ocean racing and rugged sports. This is a long term commitment for us, becoming part of a world-class sailing team with the opportunity to reach out globally to our target audience within the sailing and active lifestyle communities.”

Conrad Humphreys, Skipper Cat Phone – Built for it said: “I’m excited to join the Class 40 circuit with Cat phones and to race with a new team in the Round Britain & Ireland as a tune up for the 2014 Route du Rhum. Mike Gascoyne's RC3 is one of the best-prepared Class 40s in the fleet and we have a great team that’s certainly built for it.”

Mike Gascoyne, Technical Director commented: “With the Cat phones Class 40 we have a really exciting racing yacht that we have fine tuned to ensure we have the right boat to compete at the top level, It’s vital that we have a boat that’s reliable and can withstand tough endurance races.”

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, sailing legend and fellow competitor in the 2014 Route de Rhum “I am very pleased that Conrad has found a new sponsor for the Route de Rhum. He is a very experienced solo racer and will provide very stiff competition within the race.”