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Scuttlebutt News Center:F1 Sail Pro Tour(November 3, 2004) In July 2005, F1 Sail will introduce the world’s richest international Sail Pro Tour featuring the high performance 18-foot skiff. Professional teams representing over 15-countries will compete in a 26-week international television series broadcast to a global market. The concept is generating strong interest from elite sailors & teams from around the world with the Pro Tour soon to announce a global broadcast deal. “F1 Sail is a revolution set to change the way we look at sailing forever,” says F1 Sail representative, Richard Scotts. “With the newfound growth of sailing as a broadcast sport we feel there is a strong market for an elite Sail Pro Tour. No other sailing format in the world can match the 18-foot skiff for sheer entertainment value. This product has all the glamour & spectacle of America’s Cup racing yet with 10 times the entertainment value & it comes at a fraction of the cost.” With over 1200-square feet of sail power the revolutionary 18ft skiff is recognised as the world’s fastest mono hull dinghy class. An advanced version of the skiff has been introduced in an effort to push the crews to the limit and to create a more exciting television product. The pro circuit will feature 15-international crews competing in a 26-race series staged in 7-countries across the globe. The series is scheduled to commence in Europe in August 2005, with 4 European stops and 3 through Asia/Pacific. The race locations, boat design, race course & rules have been tailored towards television broadcast. The series is the brain child of former IMG Executive, Richard Scotts & is being backed by two of the leading figures in international yachting, Australia’s Lang Walker and New Zealand’s Neville Crichton. Participating teams are expected to come from New Zealand, Australia, USA, England, Italy, France, Japan, Russia, Denmark, Spain, Germany, Norway, Finland & Brazil. To promote close & exciting racing the boats will be identical in design. To encourage nationalistic rivalry the crews will also compete for their respective countries. Skiff racing combines the skill & finesse of sailing with the athleticism & drama of extreme sport. The extreme nature of skiff racing offers broad appeal to both youth and adult markets. Unlike your traditional sailing broadcast F1 Sailing will be fast & furious. The emphasis will be on high speed, high drama and extreme entertainment. Racing will only be staged in high winds of 17-knots or more. The series will also be supported by a state of the art television production format with on-board digital technology taking the viewer into the driver’s seat. “It really is a case of sailing meets extreme sport. These boats won’t be crewed by sailors but more so by athletes,” says Scotts. “We’re trying to re-market the image of sailing and feel we have a product that can take the sport of sailing to the masses.” “I believe F1 Sail will set the benchmark for high performance sailing around the world,” says Neville Crichton. It’s an opportunity for team owners to experience the excitement of skiff racing and to generate global exposure for their teams.” For further information contact Richard Scotts: |
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