Ericsson, the world’s leading telecommunications supplier, entered the 2005/2006 Volvo Ocean Race, forming the Ericsson Racing Team. Ericsson Racing Team is currently preparing for the 2008/2009 Volvo Ocean Race with one International and one Nordic Team. The sportive part of the team is headed by Atlant Ocean Racing.
The Volvo Ocean Race gives Ericsson and it’s partners an unrivalled opportunity to reach its customers around the world, as well as showcasing how its solutions can help them develop relationships with enterprises and consumers.

The boat – Volvo Open 70
Length overall: 21.5 m 70.5 ft
Beam: 4.7 - 5.7 m 15.4 - 18.7 ft
Draft: 4.5 m 14.8 ft
Mainsail area: 172 m2 1883.7 sq ft
Headsail: 140 m2 1506 sq ft
Spinnaker area: max 500 m2 max 5382 sq ft
Mast height: 31.5 m above water 103.3 ft above water
Weight: 12,500 to 14,000 kg 12.5 to 14 tons
Keel bulb: 4,500 kg min 4,5 tons min

A new design of boat was introduced for the 2005-06 event – the Volvo Open 70 – which is faster and more dynamic than its predecessor the VO60. The Ericsson yacht for the 2005/2006 event was a standard Farr Design, built from a female mould with a single rudder and two asymmetric dagger boards. The two new yachts for the 2008/2009 event have been exclusively designed for Ericsson Racing Team by Argentinian Juan Kouymodjian. The innovative canting keels are instrumental to the performance of the new Volvo Open 70.

For more information see www.ericssonracingteam.com