2012 is a big year for Volvo Cars UK. While the company supports sailing at many levels, support of Team GBR Olympic sailors is where a large proportion of the focus will be this year.
The brand has announced new members of Team Volvo with less than 200 days to go until the sailing starts in Weymouth. Britain’s leading 470 Men’s duo, Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell and leading Paralympic sailor, Stephen Thomas will benefit from Volvo’s support.
Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell, were selected to represent Team GB in January 2012 following their second place podium finish at the ISAF World Championships at Perth 2011.
Luke Patience said:
“It’s great to have the backing of Volvo Car UK. Having come through the RYA Volvo Youth pathway I’ve always been aware of their support of sailing so now it’s great to be part of Team Volvo. It’s been a busy few weeks for us since the announcement but we are so excited and are looking forward to the next few months ahead.”
Stephen Thomas, who is an inspirational figure to many young sailors who compete with disabilities, is no stranger to the Olympics. Competing in the three person keelboat along with teammates John Robertson and Hannah Stodel he is campaigning for his third Paralympic games. The team claimed a first place podium finish at the 2012 Rolex Miami OCR and second place at the 2011 Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta, Weymouth and Portland.
Team Volvo includes Ben Ainslie, Paul Goodison, Nick Dempsey, the 470 Girls – Saskia Clark, Hannah Mills, the Match Race Girls – Lucy Macgregor, Annie Lush and Kate Macgregor and Paralympian Helena Lucas.
Duncan Forrester, Head of Public Affairs, Events and Sponsorship for Volvo Car UK said:
“Volvo Car UK is thrilled to broaden our support of the British Sailing team and welcome Luke, Stuart and Stephen to our sailing partnership. This is the first time we have supported so many talented, top sailors and it’s a privilege to be working with such an inspirational group of athletes. We hope our backing will enable them to attain their ultimate goal.”
As well as supporting individual team member’s campaigns, Volvo is the official car supplier of Skandia Team GBR and a bronze level team sponsor. The campaign is supported by an iPad app that fans can download to get behind the scenes videos, social media updates and other exclusive information.
