14.01.2010 0:22

Pachi Rivero and Bubi Sansó form a new team, to compete under the W Hotels flag for the NY-BCN Transoceanic Sailing Record. Estrella Damm will now sponsor the Alex Pella and Pepe Ribes’ crew. The Sailing Team gears up for the 2010 sports schedule and the second edition of the Barcelona World Race.

With the start of the new year and with their sights firmly fixed on achieving the year’s sponsorship and sporting objectives, the Technical Directors of the Fundació Navegació Oceànica Barcelona (FNOB) sailing team and their sponsors have decided to make some changes to the structure of the IMOCA Open 60 teams for 2010.
 
Estrella Damm will now sponsor Alex Pella and Pepe Ribes' team, not just for the New York Barcelona record, but now also for the Barcelona World Race, the principal goal of all the sailors on the team.

In addition Pachi Rivero and Javier Sansó reunite to form a new team which will be sponsored by W Hotels up until the conclusion of the New York-Barcelona record. Following the Transoceanic challenge the skippers will continue to pursue their Barcelona World Race 2010/11 project.
 
The FNOB directors have made these changes to the team structure after considered discussion and de-briefing with the sailors, the team directors and sponsors. All involved agreed that that the restructuring will be of great benefit at all levels, as the teams take on the challenging preparation schedule for the second edition of the Barcelona World Race.
 
Javier (Bubi) Sansó and Pachi Rivero reprise a strong, proven partnership after having  competed together in the last edition of the Barcelona World Race, aboard Mutua Madrileña, finishing in fourth place.

This valuable shared experience means the crew will embark on the New York-Barcelona record and the second edition of the Barcelona World Race as a team which not only knows their strengths but has benefited considerably from the learning they have taken on board since the last race.
 
Pepe Ribes and Alex Pella sailed an excellent Transat Jaques Vabre transatlantic race and are now taking on the transatlantic record as a crucial step in their preparation and optimization of the boat Estrella Damm, knowing that this, as part of a grueling 2010 itinerary, will enhance their overall prospects when they challenge for their ultimate objective, to win the second edition of the Barcelona World Race which is due to set sail from the Catalan capital on 31st December this year.