Nautor Challenge have revealed that UBS is to be a principal sponsorship partner of their syndicate entry in the Volvo Ocean Race 2001/2002. UBS is sponsoring two yachts in the race, one skippered by Grant Dalton of New Zealand (recently back from breaking the Round the World sailing speed record, in The Race) and Lisa McDonald who will be leading an all-female crew.

The Volvo Ocean Race will start from Southampton, England on 23 September 2001. This professionally crewed event will cover 32,700 nautical miles in approximately ten months, circumnavigating the world with the prevailing winds. The nine-leg race will visit 10 ports, racing through four oceans, and finish in Kiel, Germany in June 2002.

Hakan Erixon, Managing Director, Nordic Corporate Finance at UBS Warburg, said: “We are delighted to be part of this prestigious global event. The boats we are sponsoring are crewed by two of the highest quality teams.”