Ericsson 1 at "Allt för sjön"
2009-02-19 by Rikard Björk
This morning, Ericsson 1 arrived at Stockholm International Fairs. The Volvo Ocean Race will have an early stopover at the fair ”Allt för sjön”. From the 28th February until 8th March, Ericsson and Stockholm Stopover will have Ericsson 1 on display.
Stockholm is in good company; Cape Town, Singapore, Rio de Janeiro, Boston and St Petersburg. They all have something in common. They will be visited by the world's fastest ocean racers, the Volvo Open 70 boats. This can now also be said for "Allt för sjön" at Stockholmsmässan.
Ericsson and Stockholm Stopover will present Ericsson 1 in Event Hall A. The boat competed in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006.
- We want people to come and see how big and extreme these boats are, but at the same time how little room there is for the crew. I think its very difficult to understand the achievements of these sailors when you have not seen first hand and experienced their tools and equipment, says Richard Brisius, CEO Ericsson Racing Team.
He is satisfied. So far.
Ericsson 4, with an international crew is leading the competition, and Ericsson 3, with a nordic crew, have surpassed themselves, leg after leg.
Naturally we hope one of the Ericsson boats, most likely 4, on the evening of the 16th June will be first across the finish line out at Sandhamn and also will be hoisting the leader flag for the overall race.
- It would be huge, really huge, says stockholmer Richard Brisius, however he points out anything can happen between now and then.
For Ola Åstradsson, project leader for the Stopover in Stockholm, if such a development would occur in the competition, it would be fantastic:
- I must admit it would be amazing if a boat carrying the Swedish flag was in the lead when the boats arrive at Stockholm, however I think there is such a huge interest in these extreme ocean racing boats that it will not matter what name or what flag the leader will have.
During the Stockholm Stopover the boats will be moored directly in front of the castle at Skeppsbron. There will also be a huge event area of 26 000 square meters, with restaurants, sponsor pavilions, a temporary guest harbour and a big stage for entertainment.
- I don't think everyone is aware of the magnitude of this event. The Volvo Ocean Race is one of the world's largest sporting events. Combining the number of visitors and the amount of media exposure, the competition rates as the 10th largest. We expect that the event area will attract up to a million visitors, and the In-Port Race on Kanholmsfjärden on the 21st June will additionally bring out thousands of spectator and private boats, says Ola Åstradsson.
The project team is working full-time on the event, the biggest in northern Europe during 2009. There are performers to book for the big stage, cranes to lift the boats to be organised, police permits, but foremost is to synchronise the sporting components with the commercial requirements.
- It feels great, I think both Stockholmers and sailors will be satisfied, says Ola Åstradsson.
As you read this the boats will be on their way from Qingdao in China to Rio de Janeiro. They will be sailing for at least 6 weeks.
- Tough sailing over the Pacific, round stormy Cape Horn, and up to the warmth. You go from winter to summer, to winter, to summer, extremely tough quite simply, says Richard Brisius.
During Allt för sjön, visitors are invited to come to catch their first glimpse of the summer's big sailing event, the Volvo Ocean Race Stopover at Skeppsbron 14-25 June.
Allt för sjön 28 February - 8 March, Stockholmsmässan
Weekdays kl 12.00 - 20.00
Saturday-Sunday kl 10.00 - 18.00
Read more at www.alltforsjon.se
Come and visit us at booth A06:20!