The Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009, the world's toughest sailing event, provides Ericsson with an unrivalled opportunity to meet with customers and partners in key growth markets around the globe. It is also a way for us to showcase our technology leadership and innovation.

The results from the 2005-2006 race speak for themselves. Over 4,000 customers from operators and enterprises visited the Ericsson pavilion during the Volvo Ocean Race stopovers for technology seminars, demonstrations and meetings. All in all Ericsson’s involvement in the race led to a long list of commercial successes, including important business deals.

Forming a strong campaign
During the last edition of the world’s premiere ocean race, Ericsson finished in fifth place. The appointment of designer Juan Kouyoumdjian, boat build manager Killian Bushe and skipper Torben Grael forms a potent mix for a strong and competitive team. In order to optimize the design and the team as well as maximize the return, Ericsson enters the 2008-2009 race with two boats, one with an international crew, headed by Torben Grael and one with a Nordic crew, headed by Anders Lewander.

On to new ground
This time the route covers new and exiting stops in India, South-East Asia and China, thus visiting many of Ericsson's important high growth markets. The new route adds to the challenge for designers and sailors at the same time as it is another important reason for Ericsson’s decision to enter the race a second time.

Boat yard next to the head quarters
Ericsson Racing Team has a unique set up for the building of the boats. In fact these high tech ocean race machines are built right next to the Ericsson head quarters in Kista, Stockholm. This makes it possible to build first class boats in a first class purpose built facility, but it also means that Ericsson can utilize the project commercially early on in the campaign – inviting customers and important guests to exclusive yard visits.

Welcome on board with Ericsson!