Hayek christens PUMAs yacht

“As part of our strategy for expansion into new categories, we are looking forward to the launch of our PUMA Sailing performance and lifestyle collections in 2008 and supporting our PUMA Ocean Racing team as they prepare to race il mostro in the Volvo Ocean Race later this year,” said PUMA CEO Jochen Zeitz.

The 37 000 mile round the globe race, known as the “Everest of sailing,” will begin October 2008 in Alicante, Spain and will end in June 2009 in St. Petersburg. By joining the race, PUMA has entered a new premium category and is the first sportslifestyle company to participate in a venture of this kind.

The new boat design is one of the new cutting-edge, second-generation Volvo Open 70s that are the world’s fastest monohulls. Its graphic details include a unique PUMA twist with il mostro resembling a virtual 3-D “flying shoe,” inspired by PUMA’s popular style of the same name.

Skippered by Ken Read, the management and sailing team for PUMA Ocean Racing share five Volvo Ocean Race/Whitbread Race wins, 20 America’s Cup editions and five wins, along with four Olympic Games entries and two medals.

The ceremony was held at the Institute of Contemporary Art, which provided a fitting backdrop with its visually-stunning design. The museum lobby was transformed into a showroom for PUMA Sailing’s performance and lifestyle collection of apparel, footwear and accessories.

For more information about the race, team and the PUMA Sailing collections, please visit www.pumaoceanracing.com