Puma Ocean Racing will once again participate in the Volvo Ocean Race under Skipper Ken Read

Puma have announced today that it will participate in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 after finishing second overall in the 2008-09 race. The PUMA Ocean Racing team will once again be under the leadership of skipper Ken Read.

“We are proud of PUMA Ocean Racing’s success in the last Volvo Ocean Race and look forward to the adventures this next race will bring,” said Jochen Zeitz, PUMA AG Chairman and CEO.

“Both the team and the company hope to leverage the key lessons from the last Volvo Ocean Race campaign in order to continue spreading the good will of the programme and PUMA worldwide. The Volvo Ocean Race is one of the world’s iconic sporting events. It proved to be an extremely successful marketing tool for us and an important launch pad for the sailing product category.”

Knut Frostad, Volvo Ocean Race CEO added that PUMA Ocean Racing was a ground breaking team in the last Volvo Ocean Race, not only bringing a very competitive team, but the creativity of a world class fashion brand. Their funky attitude and design spoke to a young audience who engaged with both PUMA and the race.

Team selection efforts are already underway and will likely include a number of sailors from PUMA’s 2008-09 team, plus a mix of new and veteran talent from the professional racing world. Training will begin onboard PUMA’s il mostro in spring 2010 at the team’s home base in Newport, Rhode Island.

Skipper Ken Read, considered to be one of the world’s most accomplished racers, was in charge of PUMA Ocean Racing and at the helm of PUMA’s il mostro throughout the entire Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. US-born Read has twice helmed America’s Cup programmes in 2000 and 2003, was named United States Rolex Yachtsman of the Year twice and has 46 World, North American and National Championships to his credit.

Commenting on the choice of skipper, Frostad said, “It is great to have Ken Read and his team back, after their outstanding performance in the 2008-09 race and I am sure he is striving to achieve the ultimate goal.”

For more, visit www.pumaoceanracing.com