Nokia returns for Sydney Hobart

by Media Services on 7 Dec 2004 Nokia Australia has joined forces with MPM Sports Marketing and Kookaburra Challenge to compete in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

In 1999, a Nokia sponsored Volvo 60 set a blistering pace that smashed the race record and set the current record of 1 day, 19 hours, 42 minutes and 2 seconds. This year, they will again compete with a Volvo 60 under the same name.

‘Our aim from the beginning was to design a program that not only provided widespread brand exposure but also met Nokia’s needs in the areas of corporate hospitality and innovative personal development for their staff,’ explained MPM Sports Director, Nik Ehnbom.

‘Through our affiliation with Kookaburra Challenge, we were able to do this seamlessly. All staff at Nokia are now able to take full advantage of all Kookaburra products and services, from day charters and corporate regatta’s to personal development through learning to sail,’ Ehnbom said.

Kookaburra recently purchased the yacht back from its previous owners and has put the yacht through a major overhaul and refit to bring the yacht up to race condition.

The yacht has been totally stripped and re-sprayed, the rig inspected and tuned and all ballast and engine systems serviced. It also sports a virtually brand new sail inventory, including a new main with an innovative new design for the sponsor that is sure to turn heads.

The crew is made up of a team of highly respected professionals including Steve McConaghy (skipper), Adrian Finglas, Sue Crafer and Dave Dickson, who navigated Bumblebee 5 to victory in the 2001 Hobart Race.

Also joining the crew this year are Nokia employees, Mark D’Alton and Michael Wallis-Brown. Both are currently being trained to meet the requirements as active crew members on what will be the adventure of a lifetime.

Given Nokia’s position as the industry leader in Communications, the yacht will be fitted with several on board cameras and CDMA phone that will beam regular images from the race to www.nokia.com and www.sail-world.com.

Regular calls from the yacht’s Satellite Phone will also keep the public up to date with the latest race news.