Skandia wins world championship
SKANDIA WINS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP THROUGH SPECIALISTS IN COOPERATION The sailing yacht Skandia, skippered by Ludde Ingvall, clinched victory Monday night in the new World Championship for 80-foot Maxi One Design yachts. The World Championship consists of seven stages. Following a second place finish in the classic Fastnet Race, the World Championship was secure. Prospects for the World Championship victory were created early, during the first three events - at the North Sea Regatta in the Netherlands, during a week of sailing in Kiel, and at the open sea race between Kiel and Stockholm - but it was not until the convincing victory at this year's Gotland Runt race that Ludde Ingvall and his crew dared get their hopes up. "I knew we had a good crew," says Ingvall. "During Gotland Runt we didn't make a single mistake, and it is a rare event to sail so long without erring. It was then I realized that we had a superb crew." Naturally, the project's principal partner, Skandia AFS, is very pleased with their feat. "There's no doubt that it's fun to see a project we've sponsored win gold at a World Championship," comments Jan R. Carendi, CEO of Skandia AFS. "An important aspect of our involvement has been to find a fitting metaphor for Skandia AFS's motto: Specialists in Cooperation. We can truly say that Ludde Ingvall and his crew have succeeded at that. After having seen first-hand the work performed on deck, I know exactly what it takes to win - specialists who cooperate. "This is just as important when it comes to our business, namely, working together with the world's most prominent fund managers and distributors in order to offer flexible and intelligent solutions for long-term personal savings. Having the opportunity to communicate what we mean by Specialists in Cooperation through the boat and its successes has been invaluable, concludes Jan R. Carendi." Skandia's results: Overall st North Sea Regatta 1 place 1. Skandia st Kiel Week 1 place 2. R.F. Yachting st Kiel-Stockholm 1 place 3. Le Défi st Gotland Runt 1 place 4. Rainbow Magic nd French Grand Prix 2 place 5. Belgian Synphony nd Skandia Life Cowes Week 2 place 6. Alinghimax nd Fastnet 2 place 7. Team Henri Lloyd 8. Seac Banche For further information, please contact: Nina Hofvander, Skandia AFS, tel. +46-8-788 2105 Ludde Ingvall, tel. +46-70.343 56 98 www.adecco-championship.com ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/08/11/19990811BIT00060/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/08/11/19990811BIT00060/bit0002.pdf