Ecover has announced its continued association with Mike Golding one of the UK’s most experienced solo ocean racing sailors. This new partnership will take in the 2008 Vendee Globe, which will be Golding’s third participation in this prestigious solo round the world race.

The association has seen Golding crowned IMOCA World Champion for two years in succession and earlier this year both Ecover and Golding were awarded the prestigious FICO World Champion title – as sponsor and sailor.

Golding commented: “Over the past five years we have been on some great adventures together and there are still many more to come. The Vendee Globe for me remains ‘unfinished’ business and with the support of Ecover, I am confident that we can deliver that top podium position.”

“We have had a very successful association with Mike and his team over the past five years. We have raised our brand awareness substantially through this association and look forward to working together in building the brand further going forward, as well as achieving ultimate success on the water,” commented Mick Bremans, Managing Director of the Belgium-based Ecover.

One of the main keys to the success of this ongoing business partnership is due to Jørgen Philip-Sørensen, Golding’s business partner and associate for over 15 years. Commenting Sørensen said: “Over the past 15 years Mike has risen from being a skipper of an amateur round-the-world race to one of the world’s most respected offshore racing sailors. Offshore solo ocean racing is a discipline that he has more or less dominated for the past ten years and I look forward to working with him, his team and Ecover to ensure that we continue to lead in this field until the end of 2009.”