Ryan Breymaier to pursue Vendee Globe 2016

(September 17, 2013) – Today, leading offshore sailor Ryan Breymaier announces his intention to build a campaign for the Vendee Globe in 2016. Following an increase in interest in short-handed round the world sailing in the United States, Ryan has committed to developing a competitive campaign with the goal of a podium finish in 2016.

To assist him with the search for commercial sponsors and to manage the technical side of his Vendee campaign, Ryan has partnered with leading sailing consultancy Five˚West. With 12 years’ experience running Alex Thomson’s HUGO BOSS Sailing team, one of the longest and most successful sponsorships in sailing, Five˚West is ideally positioned to provide support to the campaign.

Ryan commented: “I am excited to be launching a campaign for the Vendee Globe 2016 and I am very pleased to have the support of an organisation like Five˚West. Short-handed offshore sailing is becoming more popular in the US, so I believe that there has never been a better time to put together a campaign to put an American on the podium.

“The USA has such a rich history of sailing success from America’s Cup and the Olympics through to the Whitbread Round the World Race, however no American has ever finished better than ninth in what I would suggest is the greatest test of human endurance in the world.”

Managing Director of Five˚West, Stewart Hosford, is equally excited by the prospect of helping Ryan put together a competitive campaign:

“We have known Ryan for many years and we are really looking forward to working with him in a more formal capacity. Ryan is a fantastic sailor and we believe that he has a real chance of being the first American to finish on the podium of this fantastic race.

“Finding sponsorship in any sport is a challenge in the current economic climate; however we are confident that we can put together a campaign that will be commercially attractive and drive significant value for a sponsor.”

The search for commercial sponsorship will start immediately. Ryan will target the Barcelona World Race starting in December 2014, as the first major race in the campaign.

For further information or to register interest in supporting Ryan’s campaign, please contact:

Alex Mills
Five˚West
Web: www.5west.co.uk/projectusa

TONIGHT 10pm (EST) on HBO, Alex Thomson’s story of the Vendee Globe will be featured on leading sports programme Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. Click here for preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpoRkp29bkk&feature=player_embedded 

Notes to Editors

Ryan Breymaier

Ryan Breymaier discovered his passion and natural talent for sailing at St. Mary’s College, Southern Maryland, USA.  Since leaving college and turning professional, Ryan has sailed with the world’s leading sailing teams.

Ryan now has over 15 years professional experience, competing on inshore and offshore racing programs in the USA and Europe. In 2008 Ryan moved to France to work for a number of the world’s leading short-handed racing teams with the dream of one day competing in the Vendee Globe. In 2010, Ryan finished fifth in his first short handed round the world race, the Barcelona World Race, and won the prestigious media award for best video and photo communication during the race.

Ryan’s direct and determined character combined with his technical skills and his raw talent for this tough sailing discipline make him the perfect candidate as skipper of an offshore racing program.

Recent Highlights

• 2010: 5^th Place Barcelona World Race – a double-handed non-stop race around the world. Ryan’s first race around the world, in which he won first prize for video and photo communication during the race.
• 2011: Ryan ranked 6th in the 2011 IMOCA World Championship. The first American to have ever placed in this listing.
• 2012: 1^st Place USA Atlantic Cup offshore race and 2^nd Transat Quebec – St Malo on Class 40 ‘Mare’.
• 2012: 4^th place Krys Ocean Race (New York –  Brest, France) and 7^th fastest atlantic crossing of all time on MOD70 ‘Musandam’.
• 2013: World speed sailing record holder, ‘The Golden Route’ New York to San Francisco in 47 days onboard VOR70 ‘Maserati’.

www.breymaiersailing.com

Five˚West

Five˚West is a leading sports consultancy delivering value driven solutions within the sailing and marine industry. Chaired by Sir Keith Mills, former Deputy Chairman LOCOG and founder of Air Miles and Nectar loyalty programmes, Five˚West prides itself on its exceptional knowledge and experience in sports marketing, as well as their established connections within the sports industry and the world of business.

For 12 years Five˚West has managed HUGO BOSS sailing, one of the longest and most successful sailing sponsorship, which confirms their ability to offer a complete end to end service from strategic planning and technical management through to sponsorship activation and evaluation. Five˚West also offers sponsorship consultancy, commercial rights acquisition and management services, as well as sailing talent management.

In 2012, Five˚West formed a joint venture in China to create sister company 121 Group Ltd. to services the ever growing sailing and marine industry in Greater China. This year 121 Group launched the first ever professional sailing league in China, the 121 Premier Sailing League, and is currently working on a number of marine infrastructure projects.

www.5west.co.uk