Sail-World.com : Podium positions for Navtec in '08-09 Vendée Globe

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Sail-World.com : Podium positions for Navtec in '08-09 Vendée Globe

Podium positions for Navtec in '08-09 Vendée Globe

French sailing legend Michel Desjoyeaux onboard the IMOCA Open 60 'Foncia', stormed ahead to convincingly take first place in the 2008-09 edition of the Vendée Globe. Fully rigged using optimized Navtec Z-system PBO rigging, 'Foncia' endured the most grueling offshore racing conditions to win one of the worlds toughest sailing events.

Navtec Performance Rigging, a division of Lewmar Marine, featured on over half of this year's Vendee Globe fleet. 2nd placed Armel LeCleac'h on 'BritAir' used Navtec's Z-system PBO and 4th place Sam Davis on 'Roxy' relied on Navtec Bi-Conic PBO for their standing rigging. Along with Desjoyeaux, skippers worked closely with Navtec engineers to improve their performance through new advancements in fibre rigging. Testing of cables following Trans-Atlantic racing and vigorous training allowed the Navtec team to develop new, more efficient termination methods for the IMOCA Open 60 fleet.

Navtec's participation in each edition of the Vendee Globe's since its creation in 1989-90 is a testament to the strong reputation of Navtec R&D. 16 of the 30 boats competing in this edition featured Navtec products. 'Every skipper has to have the confidence that each component has been rigorously lab tested and proven in the most grueling offshore racing conditions,' explains Navtec President, Greg Smith. 'Foncia's rigging represents some of our latest technology and quality workmanship, and showcases Navtec's long history of technical expertise along with the latest developments in materials and manufacturing processes.'

Starting in Les Sable s d'Olonne, France in November 2008, the Vendée Globe proved itself to be the ultimate challenge in the IMOCA Ocean Racing World Championship schedule. With less than half the fleet finishing the single-handed non-stop race around the world race, the Open 60s are rightly regarded as one of the most extreme boats in sailing.

For more information on the 2008-09 Vendee Globe, please visit www.vendeeglobe.org

Navtec is the world leader in performance rigging for the marine industry. Based in the USA, Navtec maintains a worldwide sales and service network from its headquarters in Guilford (CT) and offices in France, England, and Australia. Navtec manufactures and designs rigging and hydraulic systems for the world's leading racing and cruising yachts, including the America's Cup. As a branded division of Lewmar Marine, Navtec products are demanded by the top boat builders, rigging specialists and sailors around the globe.

For more information please visit www.navtec.net

Lewmar, the world's premier leisure marine equipment supplier, designs, manufactures and distributes products including: anchors, winch, windlass, hatch, hardware, rigging, steering, and thrusters. The company is the most recognized name in recreational boating deck equipment. In 2006, its OneTouch winch handle won the top DAME award, the most globally competitive prize for marine equipment, at the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) in Amsterdam. Manufacturing is located in the U.K. and the U.S. Sales and assembly offices are located in Australia, France, The Netherlands, the U.K., and the U.S. Lewmar sells through a worldwide network of agents and distributors.www.lewmar.com

by Media Services

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11:19 PM Tue 17 Feb 2009 GMT

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