New Zealand Entry Signals Start Of Antarctica Cup

Press Release 16 October 2003

NEW ZEALAND ENTRY SIGNALS START OF ANTARCTICA CUP

Antarctica Cup race organisers are pleased to announce confirmation of the New Zealand entry for the race to be held in 2005.

The New Zealand national team includes many of the world's foremost experienced ocean racers and will take up the exclusive Country Franchise Owner rights allocated to New Zealand for the race.

Core team members include Stu Bannatyne (Illbrook - Watch Captain), Steve Cotton (News Corp - Watch Captain), Carl Whiting (Team New Zealand), Ray Davies (Illbrook), David Endean (Tyco), Rodney Keenan (SEB), David Munday (Dolphin & Youth), Ian Darby (Morning Glory, Merit Cup), Jamie Gale (Illbruck and Oracle Racing) as the team consultant and Nick Crabtree (NZL 20) as the team manager.

From team spokesman Nick Crabtree -"We are very impressed with the Antarctica Cup event format and the future it provides for international yachting and sailors alike. The event business model finally gives true value for money. It provides us the tools to help build a long term relationship with our sponsors as well as a real career opportunity for ourselves as professional sailors and shore based managers. We really like the nation versus nation format. There are very few events worldwide that enable a country to showcase its national talent exclusively in the one boat on the world stage. We are proud to be representing New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in the upcoming event."

From Bob Williams, Chairman Antarctica Cup - "We now have our team from Australia and a very strong team from New Zealand. We have a race! We are right behind both teams to get them to the start line of our 100 day Antarctica Cup race regatta commencing in January 2005. The challenge now rests with teams from the northern hemisphere to compete in this great event."

For more information on the New Zealand team contact Nick Crabtree on npcrabtree@xtra.co.nz

http://www.antarcticacup.com/

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