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Turner to run Volvo Race

31 Mar 2016

Mark Turner has walked away from OC and into the Volvo Ocean Race – photo: Ainhoa Sanchez

VOLVO OCEAN RACE: The Volvo Ocean Race was given a new CEO today in Spain. His name will be familiar to all – Mark Turner.

Mark Turner, one of the most respected figures in professional sailing, Mr Turner has been appointed Volvo Ocean Race CEO, stepping down after 23 years at the helm of global sports marketing company OC Sport.

The Briton, who competed in the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989 aboard the maxi British Defender, and masterminded the Dongfeng Race Team project in the 2014-15 race, will take up his new position in succession to Knut Frostad from 7 June.

Turner, 48, said: “There probably isn’t any other post in sailing that could have attracted me today after taking OC Sport through so many different areas of the sport over the last two decades.

“It is a significant responsibility for me to take over the leadership from Knut, who has done such an excellent job of transforming the race in to the sport’s biggest and most commercially viable top-level event.

“As the race with the most significant global footprint in both media and business-to-business terms, and a fascinating history dating back to 1973, there is a huge responsibility not only to the numerous stakeholders, Volvo, and the other team and event partners, but also to the sport of sailing in general. It’s a platform that can really help shape the future of the sport.

“I certainly hope I can add some value and vision to the excellent work of the great team already in place in Alicante, and through that, help to inspire and engage more and more fans, sailors and sponsors, in the future.”

Henry Stenson, chairman of the Volvo Ocean Race board, said he was delighted with the appointment: “It has been a long and thorough process, but I know that in Mark we have found the right person to take on this very challenging role.

“We need a man with the expertise, determination and vision to take the event to the next stage after all the great work done by Knut, and Mark has all these attributes in abundance. The future under his guidance looks very exciting indeed.”

Turner has competed in many of the sport’s leading events including the Transat Jacques Vabre and the Mini Transat, but really made his name in the sport by masterminding Briton Ellen MacArthur’s successful Kingfisher Vendée Globe campaign in 2000-1 when she finished a close second.

He then oversaw her breaking the solo non-stop round the world record in 2005 on B&Q Castorama, taking offshore racing to a wider audience than ever before, both in the United Kingdom and around the world.

Turner went on to launch the Extreme Sailing Series with OC Sport as well as many other leading adventure sports events.

“My personal chapter with OC Sport is now ending, but the spirit and achievements will continue, I’m sure, with the strong team I’m leaving behind,” said Turner. “It has been an honour to work with so many motivated and talented people over the years, and to have been able to use the sporting platforms we’ve created to inspire people from all walks of life.

“OC Sport has enabled me to challenge the norm and innovate in many areas – something that I’m sure the company will continue to strive to do.”

Turner has stepped down fully from OC Sport as both board director and shareholder.

Turner, who is also a very keen cyclist, swimmer and skier, will now undertake a period of leave before taking up his new responsibilities with the race, ahead of the 13th edition in 2017-18 which starts in October next year.

via Boating Business | Turner to run Volvo Race.

Second Clipper Race fatality

02 Apr 2016

Sarah Young wasn’t clipped on when she went over the side…

CLIPPER RACE: A statement on the Clipper Race website outlines the death of 40 year old Sarah Young.

We are deeply saddened to report the death of crew member Sarah Young (40), a company owner from London. Sarah was one of the crew aboard the IchorCoal boat (CV21). Next of kin have been informed and all our thoughts are now with Sarah’s family, teammates, and loved ones on and off the race.

Skipper Darren Ladd reports that Sarah was tidying the cockpit after reefing the mainsail in 35 – 40 knots of wind, when she was knocked from her position by a wave.

She fell back toward the guard wire and was swept under it by another wave at 1127 UTC (2227 local). She was not tethered onto the yacht at this time and was swept away in strong winds.

The boat immediately applied its man overboard drill but was hampered by the conditions and lack of direct visual.

Her body was recovered on board using her AIS signal at 1244 UTC (2344 local), and although resuscitation was attempted and telephone assistance provided by the Praxes Medical Group Doctors, the Clipper Race’s remote telemedicine support service, she never regained consciousness.

The cause of death is yet to be confirmed but is suspected as drowning or exposure. All other crew are reported safe and well and the team are working with Race Officials to evaluate the options on diversion or continuing to Seattle.

The incident happened on day 12 of the ninth race in the 14-stage Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, at 39 North, 160 East, approaching the International Date Line.

This current race takes crew across the Pacific Ocean from Qingdao, China, to Seattle, USA and has over 3,242 miles left to its destination.

Sarah was the owner of a personal lifestyle company providing services for private high net worth individuals. A keen adventurer, the Clipper Race had been an ambition of hers for some years, and she said celebrating her 40th birthday just before setting sail from London was the perfect way to start her adventure.

Prior to the Clipper Race she had done other expeditions including spending a year in Sabah, northern Borneo, working for Raleigh Malaysia.

Sarah had also led teams in Zambia, Botswana and Namibia, had been mountaineering in Nepal and did a world-first 18 day trek down the Skeleton Coast unsupported. Sarah had also run a marathon and was a Divemaster. She leaves a partner but no children.

Sarah was one of the round the world crew and aside from missing a couple of races in Australia due to the passing of her Mother, she had sailed more than half the way round the world, with 20,000 nautical miles of racing under her belt between London and China, where the yacht left on March 21.

A full investigation will now be carried out, as is standard practice, into the full details of the incident in cooperation with the appropriate authorities. Race Officials are now supporting the Skipper and the crew through this tragic ordeal.

Clipper Race Founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston stated: “On behalf of everyone at Clipper Ventures, I am deeply saddened by the loss of Sarah. She was a very popular and integral member of the Clipper Race family and knew our boats well, having sailed with us since London last summer.

“The safety of our crew has always been and continues to be our main priority and we shall investigate the incident immediately in full cooperation with the authorities.”

The Clipper Race was established almost 20 years ago and this is its tenth edition. This is the second fatality in the history of the race. Andrew Ashman, 49, was knocked unconscious in the early hours as he adjusted the mainsheet – a rope connected to the boom.

Over 4,000 amateur crew have been trained and participated in previous races. Nearly 700 crew are participating in the 2015-16 edition which left London at the end of August, and will return there on 30 July 2016.

via Boating Business | Second Clipper Race fatality.

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Clipper Race: Sarah Young buried at sea

03 Apr 2016

Sarah Young was taking part in the year long race on the ‘IchorCoal’ boat

CLIPPER RACE BURIAL: Sarah Young an amateur British sailor who died after being swept into the Pacific Ocean while competing in the Clipper Race has been buried at sea.

Sarah Young, 40, was washed overboard while taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. At the time she was tidying the cockpit area and was not clipped on. Her body was later recovered by her crewmates.

Race organisers said they had received permission from Miss Young’s partner and family to bury her at sea.

Race founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has promised a full investigation.

He said everyone involved in the race was in “shock” over the death, adding the probe would focus on why she was not tethered to the yacht.

Miss Young is the second person to die in this year’s event – fellow Briton Andrew Ashman, a crew member on the same boat, died after being knocked unconscious in September.

Despite being amateurs, both Miss Young and Mr Ashman were experienced sailors.

Race organisers said it was arranged that Miss Young would be buried at sea because of the “long time it will take to reach closest landfall”.

After the burial they posted a message on Twitter saying: “RIP Sarah Young – laid to rest in #PacificOcean #ClipperRace – our thoughts are with crew, partner, friends and family”.

Miss Young’s parents are deceased and she has no siblings, but her aunt in New Zealand gave the ceremony her blessing.

via Boating Business | Clipper Race: Sarah Young buried at sea.