In less than 50 years solo offshore racing has
evolved from adventurers in tiny wooden boats to
a Formula One style spectacle of high tech racing
machines, driven competitors and spectacular
images beamed back to enthusiastic upporters.
The races are objects of myth, following in the
wakes of the most legendary racers of our past
and the thousands of hardy sailors that have plied
the waters for centuries. It is a combination of the
passionate adventurer and the deep self belief of
the competitor; it is this struggle that makes the
race so exciting to follow for those left behind on
shore. It will always be one person, one boat, with
the ocean for company.
Offshore racing inspires a true emotional
connection with those who follow it, a fascination
is instantly felt by both sailors and non-sailors
alike.
The solo racer must make the best decisions they
can with the information at hand, and live with the
consequences as the race unfolds. The parallels to
the ideals of the business world are clear, like the
spirit of competition, long lasting endurance and
strength.
A powerfully evocative medium for displaying your
company’s colours, and values, to customers and
clients worldwide, sailing sponsorship has
consistently been able to outperform traditional
forms of advertising. However, the sponsorship
platform is so much more than just images and
advertising.
Together we can create inspiring stories, explosive
visuals, widespread brand exposure and action
packed events days that will capture the
excitement and momentum of Crocs image.
A third generation sailor from New Zealand, Conrad
Colman was born to be an ocean racer. A natural
competitor he raced at the national level in the USA
as a semi-pro mountain biker, managed a sports
team and founded his own company, all while
studying economics at university.
Upon graduation he decided to return to his roots in
sailing and has set himself the goal of competing at
the highest level in the worlds toughest sailing events.
No stranger to effective multitasking, he chose solo
ocean racing because it incorporates his natural fields
of sports and business and is the ultimate challenge.
When racing alone, his previous experiences as a
sportsman and mechanic will be crucial.
With the experience of founding a small company, and having ridden as a semi-professional cyclist, Conrad is keenly motivatedto ?nd creative outlets for sponsorship exposure and return oninvestment. Having been self funded thus far, he is innately awareof the value of every penny and has taken dramatic steps tominimize personal costs in order to maximise investment in theproject.
A subject of, and contributor to, the international sailing press Conrad has secured a contributing position with Blue Water Sailing magazine and is seeking other positions with the media in order to guarantee sponsor exposure. Aiming to capitalize on his interests in marine preservation, Conrad is in negotiations with an ocean preservation charity in order to simultaneously promote the cause of the marine environment while receiving further exposure for his campaign and sponsor. Having grown up in New Zealand as a third generation sailor Conrad has an ability to perform on the water that belies his relatively new start to ocean racing. Having triumphed in previous academic, sporting and business adventures he has all the skills that a solo sailors require in order to take line honours.
2009 Season:
Pornichet, France La Rochelle, France Douarnenez, France Gijon, Spain Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Most races have live internet tracking to provide virtual spectating during the race.
Opportunities to distribute testers to sailors and spectators
If accepted for Mini Transat Race to Brazil in September, race will be covered by national media in France.The yachts will be moored for a week in central La Rochelle with ?ags/ billboards to display Liz Earle branding.
The Mini Transat start village could be a potential temporary retail space to focus attention on the product line
Beyond 2009; the calendar expands to go around
the world! The Portimao Global Ocean Race was
designed specifically for the Class 40 and the
2010-2011 event will build on the inaugural event
this year. Taking the Crocs racing yacht around the
world will expand the reach and value of the
sponsorship and the stopovers provide great
opportunities to raise the profile of the brand through
events, sales and international media coverage.
Before and after the circumnavigation there are still
events in the home waters of the US and Europe.
Environmental commitment:
Conrad is in discussions with a couple of well known Environmental Charities who he hopes will partner him in his campaigns. His background in Environmental Management and his passion for the Oceans has motivated him to make the Environment the core theme throughout his campaign. He would particularly like to speak to potential sponsors with a strong environmental policy who have a sustainability message that they want to communicate.
For 2008/ 2009 CCOR is looking for sponsorship
for the previously mentioned events and is seeking
a title sponsor or a mix of smaller associate
sponsors. A title sponsor would have exclusive
rights to the boat’s branding, access to sailing
days and corporate events whereas mix of
associate sponsors would split the exposure and
days afloat, sharing in the experience but for a
lower individual cost.
CCOR has already signed with Marlow Ropes and
Gill Marine as Performance Partners with “in kind”
sponsorship of goods and services. These
partnerships are crucial to the success of the
programme and Conrad is able to give value from
his experience in product testing and development
Potential sponsors interested in supporting Conrad's campaign should contact dgreen@3greenlights.com
