Volvo Ocean Race, Chris Nicholson sarà lo skipper di Camper
CamperOceanoTeam New ZealandVelaVolvo Ocean Race 22 Aprile 2010 Zerogradinord 0
[singlepic id=5650 w=300 h=204 float=left]Volvo Ocean Race – Alicante – A poco più di una settimana di distanza dall’annuncio della sfida alla Volvo Ocean Race lanciata dalla fabbrica di calzature Camper in collaborazione con Emirates Team New Zealand e con il Reale Club Nautico di Palma di Maiorca, il management del team ha comunicato in mattinata che a guidare l’equipaggio di Camper sarà l’australiano Chris Nicholson.
Nicholson, che sarà assistito dall’attuale numero uno della ranking list mondiale di match race, Adam Minoprio, ha preso parte a tre Volvo Ocean Race, la prima come capo turno di Amer Sport One nel 2001-2002, poi di Movistar, quindi di Puma, a bordo del quale riportò la distorsione di un ginocchio in seguito alla caduta di un compagno di equipaggio durante la tappa che ha portato la flotta da Cape Town a Cochin. I problemi fisici lo costrinsero al ritiro dopo la frazione seguente, conclusasi a Singapore.
Oltre a ciò Nicholson, che ha da poco compiuto quarant’anni, vanta due partecipazioni olimpiche: è stato infatti rappresentante australiano a Sydney 2000 e Atene 2004. Nel suo palmares ci sono tre titoli iridati 49er (1997, 1998, 1999) e i titoli mondiali 505 del 1992, 1994 e 2002.
Secondo Kevin Shoebridge, team manager di Camper, la nomina di Nicholson e di Minoprio porterà al sindacato esperienza e talento: “Nicholson è un volto noto che grazie alla sua grande esperienza porterà molto a Camper. Minoprio, invece, è un giovane talento, determinato e capace, che sarà molto utile alla causa. Ora l’attenzione si sposta verso la selezione degli altri membri dell’equipaggio”.
La barca di Camper sarà disegnata dallo studio Botin&Carkeek, da anni ormai partner fisso di Emirates Team New Zealand. Il progetto è già in fase avanzata e la costruzione dovrebbe iniziare ad agosto di quest’anno, ad Auckland. Dopo i primi test la barca sarà trasferita in Spagna, presumibilmente verso la fine di gennaio 2011.
VOLVO OCEAN RACE, CHRIS NICHOLSON TO SKIPPER CAMPER
[Volvo Ocean Race Press Release] Australian Olympian and Volvo Ocean Race veteran Chris Nicholson has been announced by Emirates Team New Zealand as skipper of Camper’s entry in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12.
On April 12, Camper, the Spanish international footwear brand, announced its decision to take part in the Volvo Ocean Race, with Emirates Team New Zealand managing the campaign.
Nicholson will be joined by the current world match racing champion, New Zealander Adam Minoprio.
Nicholson has competed in three Volvo Ocean Races, first as watch captain for Grant Dalton, now Managing Director of Emirates Team New Zealand, in 2001-02 on Amer Sport One. In the next edition of the race he was watch captain on Spanish entry Movistar.
In 2008-09 he was watch captain on second-placed Puma Ocean Racing, but was plagued by a knee injury after a crew member fell on him during Leg two from Cape Town, South Africa to Cochin, India. Nicholson battled through the next leg to Singapore and the Singapore In-Port Race before having to retire from the race.
Nicholson, 40, represented Australia at two Olympic Games; Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004. He was 49er world champion from 1997 to 1999 and world champion in the 505 class in 1992, 1994 and 2002.
Minoprio, 24, and his young BlackMatch team have powered through the world match racing rankings. With only two years on the professional circuit under their belts, they became number one in the world on the 2009 tour. Minoprio is currently sixth on the 2010 circuit after one event.
Emirates Team New Zealand operations manager Kevin Shoebridge, who will manage the Camper project, said the appointment of Nicholson and Minoprio brought together veteran ocean racing experience and up-and-coming talent.
“Chris Nicholson is well-known to the team and brings the experience from a long and successful racing career to Camper. Adam Minoprio is a young yachtsman with drive, determination and skill, who will be an asset to Camper. His BlackMatch Racing Team already has a close association with Emirates Team Zealand and we have supported him on the match racing circuit. We are working with Camper on recruiting other members of the crew”.
The new boat will designed by Botin Carkeek in collaboration with Emirates Team New Zealand. Marcelino Botin is principal designer for Emirates Team New Zealand.
The plans for the Volvo Open 70 are said to be well advanced and the start of the build is planned for August this year, in Auckland. After sea trials early next year the yacht will be shipped to Spain.
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