Press Release
13-09-2007:Pains Wessex backs Alex Bennett
PAINS Wessex is to supply all the marine distress signals required by sailor Alex Bennett as he campaigns an Open 40 in major shorthanded and solo races.
Alex, who is shortly to launch the Open 40 Fujifilm, has been provided with a top of the range set of Category 2 Offshore marine distress signals by Pains Wessex, a move he says will help ensure he stays safe at sea.
Alex said: “I’m very grateful to them. Partnering with a company like Pains Wessex is a great opportunity for our project. Safety at sea is always paramount, especially with solo sailing, and it’s nice to know that a quality firm such as Pains Wessex has helped out with sponsorship.
“In the event of an emergency I know that the equipment will be reliable and accurate. Safety is always a priority with my campaigns and always at the forefront of my mind.”
Chemring Marine Product Manager, Keith Bradford, added: “Pains Wessex is very pleased to be able to support Alex in his endeavours and the RORC kit including four white collision hand flares is the appropriate combination of distress signals and correct safety equipment that should be carried by all those involved in offshore racing.”
Alex, who has been sailing since the age of three, is one of a new breed of competitive professional yachtsmen with a host of sailing credentials to his name. These include in 1999 competing in the solo Mini Transatlantic Race coming 5th and achieving the best British result in the history of the event.
In 2000 he was invited to join Pete Goss and Team Philips in a project to compete in The Race. The following year he won the Open 50 division of the Transat Jacques Vabre with Paul Larsen, setting a new course record in the process.
He has also competed in the Oryx Quest Round the World Race in 2005 onboard the 120ft maxi catamaran Cheyenne.
His Open 40 campaign will include the Transat Jacques Vabre in November and the OSTAR single-handed transatlantic race in 2009.
The Pains Wessex ORC/RORC Distress Kit has been designed to meet the special Regulations of the Offshore Racing Council and the Royal Ocean racing Club. The flares are manufactured to the latest SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) specification. Pains Wessex is part of the Chemring Group.
For further information on Pains Wessex please contact Keith Bradford on 01489 884140. www.chemringmarine.com
For further press information please contact Jane Adkins at ADPR on 01935 826451 of email jane@adpr.co.uk
September 2007 [PR 32}