2oceans Vibe

Superyachts are one of the things that we hold sacred, here at 2oceansvibe – and part of the reason why we play the overseas lotteries on a weekly basis. It is therefore something of great distress for us, when we learn of the sinking of one of these fantastic beasts of the sea – especially for one so young. The 60.2m ‘Yogi’ was only built last year, making this all the more horrific. This yacht would have cost around EUR50 million. Say half a billion Rand. It cost about R400,000 per week to rent. That’s a lot of ‘tin,’ as they say in Johannesburg.

This, from charterworld.com – written just before completion of Yogi:

Superyacht YOGI is a volumous yacht measuring 60.2 meters (197ft) with an impressive 9.4m (30ft) beam providing plenty of communal public spaces and private areas for guests to enjoy. Motor yacht YOGI will be able to accommodate up to 12 charter guests in 6 luxurious cabins including a Master Suite located on the main deck with a private lounge area, office dressing room and his and hers bathrooms, a VIP cabin, 3 double cabins and 1 twin cabin.

Luxury yacht YOGI features an innovative design and will boast a large swimming pool on the main deck stern. Integrated into the floor of the swimming pool is a large circular glass port that will create a magical atmosphere with a spectacular, aquarium-like iridescent light penetrating the Beach Club directly below. Just forward of the Beach Club, there is a garage for a large tender to be stowed across the beam.

Superyacht YOGI’s sun deck features built in sunbeds and a Jacuzzi on the aft deck which mimics the shape of the pool on the lower level. Forward on the sundeck there is a large al fresco dining table. Motor yacht YOGI also boasts a sun deck Teppanyaki bar, two beach clubs, a massage room, and a multimedia play lounge along with a large main salon, formal dining area and skylounge.

[more here]

You had me at “Beach Club.”

Not that it matters, because Yogi is no more.

Follow link for video footage of the yacht sinking, as well as original photos of inside the boat (mind blowing). Continue Reading

Now there’s a heading I like to see! And those of you who have entered Saturday’s 1 Billion Rand lottery (buy tickets online) might want to get inspiration for their yacht – should they win the lottery. ‘Cos let’s face it – we’re in it til we win it!

How’z that staircase there in the main pic. Pretty serious, hey? That belongs to a yacht called ‘Dubai.’ And that is only the beginning. Let’s just back it up a bit here, and show you the outside of this little beauty.

Umm, excuse me – is that a little chopper on the back?

What a nice touch.

Can we get a quick aerial view there, please?

Ok, now I can check the helipad – very cool vibe. And the pool – stunning!

Did I mention it’s only the SECOND biggest superyacht in the world? I swear. It’s two metres shorter than ‘Eclipse,’ which stretches out to a leisurely 164m. I wonder how quickly Gibbs could run that in?

I’ve got some more ridonculous pics of the inside of that beauty (and a link the the full list of biggest yachts in the world – with pics and info and owner’s names) and all you have to do to check it all out is click ‘Continue Reading’ below.

Hey, good luck with Saturday’s R1 billion lottery draw! Buy tickets online here if you forgot – there is still time (works on mobile too!). Continue Reading

More than 4,000 people were evacuated when the Costa Concordia ran aground off the coast of Tuscany on Friday night, leaving two French passengers and a Peruvian crew member confirmed dead. Although iol reported there were no South Africans on board, news24 have confirmed there was a couple who jumped four-storeys to safety.

According to the BBC:

Three survivors have been found on the stricken cruise ship Costa Concordia, more than 24 hours after it ran aground off the Italian coast.

An Italian crew member with a serious leg injury has now been airlifted to the mainland, hours after a South Korean couple were rescued.

Three people are confirmed dead.

The captain has been arrested on suspicion of causing deaths. He denies claims by prosecutors that he left the ship before evacuation was complete.

First officer Ciro Ambrosio has also been detained.

[more here]

Things have progressed considerably oer the weekend, with the DailyMail now claiming:

The captain of the ill-fated Costa Concordia was delivering a ‘salute’ to a friend on shore when he sailed into disaster, it was claimed last night. Francesco Schettino, 52, has been arrested on suspicion of multiple manslaughter and abandoning ship when the cruise liner ran aground after sustaining a 160ft gash in the port-side hull – leaving at least five dead and 15 missing. Italian investigators are working on the theory that the £390million vessel sailed close to the island of Giglio to greet an officer from the Italian merchant navy who was friendly with those on the Concordia.

[more here]

For a photo gallery and links to updates on the story, click “CONTINUE READING” below. Continue Reading

If you’ve missed the branding around town for the Puma Quad and yacht that will be arriving in Cape town, then you seriously need to consider an eye appointment.

PUMA enters new yacht into 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race

Cape Town, South Africa, November 2011 – PUMA Sailing fans can catch all the action of the PUMA Ocean Racing team with the arrival of PUMA’s racing yacht, Mar Mostro (Monster of the Sea), at the V&A Waterfront in November/December.

Mar Mostro is PUMA’s second entry into the 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race having placed second in the 2008/9 Volvo Ocean Race.

Cape Town is the first stop-over in this “Mount Everest of sailing,” a 39,000 nautical mile, round-the-world ocean race, stopping in ten ports over the course of nine months.

A PUMA pop-up store and entertainment zone called the PUMA Quad will be located opposite the V&A Amphitheatre, to provide the public with limited edition PUMA product for the two-week stopover.

PUMA will host daily activities at the PUMA Quad. Sailing prowess will be tested with grinding competitions taking place between 3pm and 6pm on the 26 November, 1, 3, 8 December as well as between 2pm and 4pm on 10 and 11 December.

The contestant with the best grinding results on competition days will win a R1000 PUMA voucher. Two grand prizes of R10 000 in PUMA vouchers will be awarded to the contestants with the top grinding scores on 10 and 11 December.

Daily sundowner Spinnaker Sessions will start on 25 November and will see the likes of local DJs Dino Moran and Craig De Sousa spinning cool tunes at the PUMA Quad from 6.15pm to 9pm and between 7.15pm to 9pm on 10 and 11 December.

In 2010 PUMA hosted a series of parties around the globe to celebrate the after-hours athlete – a person who loves to compete in the lesser known sports (pool, foosball etc) within the social environment. PUMA will continue to celebrate these after-hours sports heroes, this time with a sailing twist, through the PUMA Social Club presents All Hands on Deck party on 9 December from 4pm to 1am at Quay 4, V&A Waterfront.

This is the official Volvo Ocean Race party with live performances by Jack Parow, Craig de Sousa, Holiday Murray, Anthea Scholtz, Them Tornados and The Wedding DJs. Ping pong, darts and bowling are a few of the games that can be played with a drink in your hand on the night. Tickets are limited and will be sold at the door for R50 per person.

The PUMA Ocean Racing team is led by Skipper Ken Read, who has amassed 10 of the most elite off-shore sailors from across the globe, including South African born Jono Swain, to compete in this epic race.

The Volvo Ocean Race begins 5 November 2011 in Alicante, Spain and ends in Galway, Ireland in July 2012. The eight stopovers in between include: Cape Town, Abu Dhabi, Sanya (China), Auckland, Itajaí (Brazil), Miami, Lisbon and Lorient (France).

Let’s do this thing!

Rupert Murdoch has just taken delivery of his brand new yacht. And it’s not just a luxury yacht, it’s a luxury SAIL yacht. That means you can cruise around the world on wind alone. How rad is that? The name of the boat is “Vertigo.” What’s more, there is a chance that YOU could own it!

Check it out:

The owner of News Corporation doesn’t seem to be perturbed by the scandal that has exposed his media empire’s work culture. It is now common knowledge that this incident resulted in the 168-year-old ‘News of the World’ newspaper to shut down its operations, primarily because of the damage it caused to the people whose phones it is alleged to have tapped and manipulated. But Rupert Murdoch seems to have already put all this behind him, and continued to engage in luxurious celebrations of his family members. The 220 ft vessel in question was earlier owned by Leonardo DiCaprio, and finally Mr. Murdoch bought it from him. The yacht is known to have prominent names like Philippe Briand & Christian Liaigre associated with it for the designing of the interior and exterior. The engines are twin C-32 Caterpillar which generate close to 1,044 KW of power each, and enables the vessel to travel at speeds in the region of 20 knots. On the outset, one can see the vast open deck, ideal of sunbathing and soaking in the outside beauty of the quite waters. Also, there are several luxury suites and a swimming pool to enjoy oneself in.

[more here]

Estimates as to the price of the yacht are around the $110 million mark.

The US Mega Millions lottery jackpot is currently sitting at $113 Million (R885 million). That means that you could order a yacht fairly similar to Rupe’s!

And don’t worry about not having any change to pay for the staff and the upkeep – you could rent that puppy out for about $300,000 (R2,4 million) a week. Which is, to be quite honest, plench…

CLICK HERE to buy tickets online – safely and securely – for tomorrow’s US Mega Millions lottery draw!

More pics of your new yacht below:

We kicked of this last weekend with a 5 hour chillout session on a buddy’s boat, at the start of the 2011 Cape to Rio yacht race. It was quite an experience, with more yachts than sense – out on the water outside Cape Town’s harbour and Waterfront. How we didn’t crash into anyone, God only knows! Follow the link to see a great little video clip I got for you, as we ran alongside race leader ‘Prodigy.’
Continue Reading

If you’ve just joined us, a whale was catapulted into international news headlines last week, when it was photographed breaching onto a yacht. Pretty hectique, I’m sure you agree.

Well, it’s about to become even more hectique – because now we’ve got the video footage. Yes, you heard me – VIDEO footage of the whale leaping onto the yacht.

Ch-ch-ch-check it out!

CLICK HERE to play video

I like the way they’re investigating whether or not the whale was provoked. If this ocean was in the UK there would be CCTV footage of the yacht’s entire journey. From that we would be able to determine what caused this bizarre behaviour.

They should get the CSI team involved as well, to “analyse” the CCTV footage. They could “clean-up” the sound and eventually they would work out that the captain of the yacht had been taunting the whale for quite some time before the attack.

They would “amplify” the audio and you would be able to hear the skipper calling the whale a “tadpole” just minutes before they were attacked.

[thanks hazel]

One of the last few days of our month in the South of France, brought us to the most gorgeous little seaside town on the Med – Cassis.

Pic taken from PopYaCollar – (featured in Marie Claire)

Wikipedia tells us:

Cassis (French pronunciation: [kasi, kasis]; Occitan: Cassís) is a commune situated east of Marseille in the administrative department of the Bouches-du-Rhône in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in southern France. It is a popular tourist destination, famous for its cliffs (falaises) and the sheltered inlets called calanques. The wines of Cassis are white and rosé, and not to be confused with crème de cassis, a specialty of Burgundy which takes its name from blackcurrants (cassis), not the commune.

[more here]

A friend of ours had a little yacht of sorts, so we took to the water!

Whilst PopYaCollar was more focused on the street fashion to be found in the perfect seaside gem (as she does), I was more interested in the beaches, yachts and schtoinking pads, plopped along the white cliffs of that particular part of the Med!

Check it out:

Wot’s this? A little hidden beach for the boys!

There were bigger yachts, but this little cutie caught my eye!

Now you’re talking my language!

They certainly are living the holiday over there – good work, people of Cassis!

Highly recommended if you’re ever in the area!

Catch more Cassis action and fashion trends from around the world (based in Cape Town) over at PopYaCollar.

And for a more thorough Provence experience, tune in at LivingStylishlyWell!

We’ve kept a close eye on Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen’s two main yachts over the years – both of which have spent time in Cape Town. The first one I ever saw, cruised into Cape Town late August, 2007 (see original article here). It was a good one to see first, as it was, at the time, the second largest privately owned super-yacht in the world (not owned by a head of state!).

Those who know their yachts, know all about Octopus:

Octopus from the side

Octopus from the top

If you check out the original article you will see some of the pics I took in Cape Town, including a quiet helicopter parked on the back, and a basketball court for the boys. In the same article, I also showcase some other images I found on the net, including pics of the other boats (tenders) that he keeps inside the super yacht. Oh, and a submarine. No spice.

The second yacht, Tatoosh, also cruised into Cape Town’s harbour – this time towards the end of 2008 (see article here). And that, my friends, is the yacht that is currently on the market for a cool €125,000,000.

In Rands, you’re looking at around R1.2Billion.

Tatoosh

This is what Luxist tells us:

Paul Allen shows up on the World’s Largest Yachts lists two times in the top thirty, once with the Octopus at number nine, and again at 26 with the 92.42-meter (303.2-feet) Tatoosh. That latter ship has been put up for sale by Fraser Yachts in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for €125,000,000 ($160,665,483 U.S.). Designed by Kusch Yachts and with an interior by Terence Disdale, the Tatoosh was built in 2001 by HDW Nobiskrug and refitted just this year. There is enough room aboard for 20 guests and 30 crew, a motorboat and helipad, numerous tenders, and all the Microsoft products you will ever own.

[more here]

R1.2 Billion? Hmmm…look, it’s quite a bit of dosh, but it’s not bad for what you’re getting.

Right?

I mean, the interior was done by Terence Disdale, doll!

Old Tezza!

Neverheardofhim.

If you feel like a bit of a reality check, pop into the V&A Waterfront and check out Larry Ellison’s superyacht, “Rising Sun.” It’s parked just next to Sevruga restaurant.

CLICK HERE for magnificent panoramic of “Rising Sun” at the V&A

Click that pic above to see it up close – it will blow your mind!

Just to fill you in on just who Larry Ellison is, he is the co-founder and CEO of Oracle, which is s a multinational computer technology corporation that specializes in developing and marketing enterprise software products — particularly database management systems.

One of the world’s wealthiest people, Larry is known for his extravagant lifestyle. He has several aircraft, including fighter jets. He lives in a $200 million houseSan Jose, California and also bought more than 12 properties down the road in Malibu, in 2005. His entertainment system cost $1 million, and includes a rock concert-sized video projector at one end of a drained swimming pool, using the gaping hole as a giant subwoofer.

He is the sixth richest person in the world (according to Forbes, which is fine by me) and has an estimated net worth of US$28 billion.

But let’s find out more about this superyacht, Rising Sun :

Rising Sun is a motor yacht designed by the late Jon Bannenberg, and built by Germany’s Lürssen, is currently co-owned by Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle Corporation, and David Geffen. The yacht is the 6th largest in the world with a length of almost 138 meters (453 ft). It reportedly cost over US$290 million to build.

It is equipped with:

• Four MTU 20V 8000 M90 diesel engines giving an output of 36,000 kW (50,000 hp)
• Four propellers that enable it to reach a cruising speed of 28 knots (52 km/h)
• 82 rooms on five stories with a total living area said to be in excess of 8,000 square meters
• Onyx countertops
• Jacuzzi bathrooms
• A gymnasium/spa and sauna
• Indoor swimming pool
• An extensive wine cellar
• A master bath/bedroom
• A private cinema with a giant plasma screen
• 3,300 m² of teak-layered deck space
• A basketball court on the main deck (can be used as a helicopter pad if necessary)

You see that’s what I like about Lazza – he has clearly made work a sideline and is now, very clearly, living the holiday!

We approve.

Welcome to Cape Town, Rising Sun!

CLICK HERE for more pics of Rising Sun, taken this morning.

CLICK HERE for Google pics of Rising Sun taken around the world, including aerial shots.

[thanks jammo]

You know that R110 million penthouse on sale at the Waterfront? Of course you’ve heard of it, but have you ever seen pictures? Well I managed to get some brand new images of the thing – and it is something to behold!

Shame..

Very chilled..

You can check out more pics of that pad here, but for now I think we need to chat about how exactly we are gong to acquire it? Not to worry, I’ve got a plan.

Are you aware that tonight is a EuroMillions SuperDraw? Seriously, do you even know what a SuperDraw is? I’ll tell you – A SuperDraw is, by it’s very nature, a very big jackpot. In tonight’s case the jackpot is €100 million. If you insist on converting that into Rands, you’ll get R1.2 billion. Which is amusing, because that means you can buy TEN of those penthouses.

Or, you can buy one of those penthouses and this $85 million SuperYacht, named Alysia:

Bang!

Have a quick banquet, why don’t you!

Make love..

Wash yourself

Look, it’s your money, you can do what you want with it. I’m just trying to help you spend it. And enjoy this – As if a €100 million guaranteed jackpot is not enough reason to enter this Friday’s EuroMillions SuperDraw, they’re giving away FIVE 40″ Full HD LCD Samsung televisions! To stand a chance to win one, simply enter the 5th February 2010 Superdraw. Each ticket purchased counts for one entry in the Samsung television competition.

And for those of you who haven’t positioned yourselves, your lives and your energy to succeed and grab everything you can, CLICK HERE to buy your EuroMillions Superdraw tickets safely online.

These are my numbers – I’ve got a good feeling about them..

Oh yes – bring it home to daddy!

Remember, If you’re not buying a few tickets for the big draws, then you’ve kind of missed the whole point of being able to live the holiday. Just like what is suggested in all books about success (including the likes of The Secret and variations thereof), if you’re not able to visualise the success you wish to achieve, then you probably won’t get there. Being able to dream is the basis of all of these formulas – it unlocks the potential. Dropping a few bucks on lottery tickets is as basic as that formula gets.

This mindset is at the very core of 2oceansvibe. Either you get it, or you don’t.

CLICK HERE

[thanks simon]

There was great concern as to the reason behind the Nazi flags flying at the University of Cape Town this weekend. Many speculated that they were hoisted for some movie being shot in and around the Mother City. Not a bad reason – certainly better than the suggestion of there being a Nazi convention being held on the UCT campus!

Today the whole vibe becomes even more clearer as we stumble upon this article by Alistair Pott, which details a Nazi U-Boat spotted off the coast of Sea Point! Can you bloody believe it? But don’t fright, it’s not a real U-Boat. It seems the submarine is, in fact, a prop for a….. wait for it…. NAZI MOVIE!!!

I know – it’s ALL happening!

Check, check, check it out:

A few weeks ago I was running on the promenade when I was absolutely stunned to see a U-boat (German submarine from WW2) just off shore. Since then I’ve seen the U-boat regularly. It’s often surrounded by life rafts and often has stacks of people standing on the deck. That was all too much for my notorious curiosity. Short Answer A two-part BBC drama called “The Sinking of the Laconia” is being shot in Cape Town at the moment. The ’submarine’ I have been seeing is a prop constructed for the filming (see photo below).

Long Answer The movie is about the Laconia Incident which is a fascinating story from World War 2.

On 12 September 1942 the armed troopship RMS Laconia was off the coast of West Africa. There were well over 2,000 people on board – mostly Italian prisoners of war.

At about 10PM the Laconia was spotted and torpedoed by the German submarine U-156 under the command of Werner Hartenstein.

The German crew surfaced and were amazed to find so many people in the water. Remarkably Hartenstein ordered a rescue operation and sent out the following message:

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Sheesh Kebab! I’m glad we sorted that out.

There I was thinking we were under attack!

Oh well, to coin a phrase I made up quite some time ago, “the cat is out of the bag!”

Oh, AND my other classic, “You learn something new every day!”

As this week’s SuperEna lottery rolls over and presents us with a $115 million jackpot, one cannot help but ponder the various yachts one may acquire..

Why, you ask? Exactly!

W.H.Y. – The Wally Hermes Yacht

No – it’s not a mansion, it’s a yacht..

WHY (Wally-Hermes Yachts), a collaboration between esteemed Monaco-based yacht maker Wally and the equally esteemed French fashion house, recently unveiled their first production, and it’s a beauty. While the yacht’s specs are top-notch (as expected), what really sets the this belle apart is its luxurious use of space. The interior features an open floorplan with a grand stairwell worthy of a cruise line, with multiple living spaces formed by particular arrangements of Hermes furniture. Perhaps the most stunning use of space is seen on the stern, arranged like a poolside, with interior cabanas facing the sea. Because of the quality and spaciousness of this vessel, Wally-Hermes’ claims that they were looking to create an island in the sea ring true.

Right up my street. I tell you! And it’ll be right up yours as well, after you win that R883 million lottery prize. That’s just under a billion Rand!

Perhaps you’d like to see the video of your new yacht?

Very nice. Very nice indeed.

Be sure to check out more pics, specs and information at why-yachts.com.

And remember, if you’re not buying a few tickets for the big draws, then you’ve kind of missed the whole point of being able to live the holiday. Just like what is suggested in virtually every book about success (including the likes of The Secret and variations thereof), if you’re not able to visualise the success you wish to achieve, then you probably won’t get there. Being able to dream is the basis of all of these formulas – it unlocks the potential. Dropping a few bucks on lottery tickets is as basic as that formula gets.

Live a little – buy your lottery ticket safely online here!

[thanks konrad]

It’s all getting a bit much with regards to the “optional extras” one can add to one’s superyacht. Just ask Chelsea Football Club owner, Roman Abramovich, whose costs for his new boat, Eclipse, have doubled in the last three years to a cool £724m.

That’s R8.7 billion. For a boat. I have no doubt it includes GPS and parking sensors..

ECLIPSE

Apparently it’s got things like 6-disc CD-shuttles and DVD players.

Timesonline tells us:

EVER since Diana, Princess of Wales, was snapped in an amorous clinch with Dodi Fayed in a yacht off the French Riviera, celebrities have been seeking ways to enjoy their holidays while avoiding the glare of the paparazzi.

Even Helen Mirren’s advancing years failed to stave off photographers who caught her in a bikini in Italy last year.

Now Roman Abramovich, the Russian oligarch, appears to have come up with a novel solution to protect his privacy.

In a move that could eventually be copied by all discerning billionaires, Abramovich has installed an anti-paparazzi shield on his newest vessel, the world’s biggest and most expensive private yacht.

The high-tech system on Eclipse, a mega-yacht measuring up to 557ft, relies on lasers to block any digital camera lenses nearby.

The boat, which has reportedly more than doubled in cost to £724m since it was commissioned three years ago, glided out of port in Hamburg last week on its maiden voyage. On board were 150 engineers and maritime experts who will put it through its paces over 10 days. One witness described the boat as “a great white castle on water”.

The yacht — the fourth in Abramovich’s private fleet — drips luxury. It boasts two helipads, two swimming pools — the larger of which doubles up as a dance floor when drained — and 6ft-wide home cinema screens in all 24 guest cabins.

The master suite features a retractable roof, allowing the Chelsea football club owner and his girlfriend, Daria Zukhova, a former model, to sleep under the stars.

Mindful of a rise in piracy on the high seas, the yacht has a hull and windows capable of withstanding a missile attack and a mini-submarine for emergencies. Once it leaves the Blohm + Voss German shipyard, it will be fitted with a missile defence system in France.

Abramovich, 42, has been making regular trips to Hamburg to oversee construction and has demanded modifications that have led to its cost rocketing from £317m.

He is due to take delivery of the yacht on December 22 — treating himself to the ultimate Christmas present.

[read more here]

Yes, yes I think you can refer to that as the “ultimate Christmas present.”

I think it would also apply to those spoilt people who you struggle to shop for. You know the ones that lead to the question, “what do you buy the man/woman who has everything?”

Now you know the answer : “ECLIPSE”

[thanks si]

Whille team Erricson claimed the top spot after more than 37,000 miles, 11 ports, 10 countries and five continents, Puma’s “il mostro” came in second place – not bad for a first attempt!! Salma Hayek must be stoked (here)!

With horrendous conditions, primitive lifestyle and adventure unimaginable, it is nice to see the best looking yacht still looks just as gorgeous as it did when it set sail.

Come on, that’s hot!

Sick!

Sailors and marketers alike will find this press release particularly interesting. Check it out:

PUMA finishes Maiden Volvo Ocean Race in Second Place

St. Petersburg/Herzogenaurach, Germany, 28 June, 2009 – “il mostro” – the sailing yacht of Sportlifestyle company PUMA – and the PUMA Ocean Racing Crew finished their maiden Volvo Ocean Race, “the Everest of Sailing”, in second place on 27 June 2009 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Volvo Ocean Race is a 37,000 nautical mile (68,524 km) round the world adventure and is one of the world’s toughest sporting events.

“We are thrilled and proud of PUMA’s Volvo Ocean Race debut success and wish to congratulate the PUMA Ocean Racing Crew on fighting for an excellent second place in a sensational race”, said Jochen Zeitz, PUMA Chairman and CEO. “PUMA’s participation in the Volvo Ocean Race was the most innovative marketing campaign the company has ever launched and proved to be an extremely successful starting signal for our sailing category with the investment having been paid more than off. Sales of PUMA´s Volvo Ocean Race merchandising collection exceeded our expectations.”

Skipper Ken Read commented: “This race has been an amazing journey for PUMA Ocean Racing. It seems like a lifetime ago since we first announced PUMA’s entry in the Volvo Ocean Race in March 2007 and here we are today, having just sailed over 50,000 miles, visited 10 countries and been awarded the trophy for second place in the race. It’s been an absolute dream. But it’s not just been a yacht race. Any successful business like this is all about the people. And we have the best people I have ever been associated with in sailing. Through the PUMA Ocean Racing team and the extensive activity associated with the program around the world, PUMA has brought hundreds of thousands of new fans to the sport of sailing, and I maintain that the sport is now changed forever.”

Over 5 million people have visited the Volvo Ocean Race stopover villages and seen PUMA’s il mostro, PUMA City and our local market initiatives. Over 44,000 customers and PUMA employees have been taken for a sailing tour on a PUMA yacht either before the start or in one of the stopover ports of the race.

PUMA’s eye-catching sailing yacht “il mostro”, the innovative PUMA Sailing Collections, the innovative marketing initiatives launched at the numerous stop-over ports, PUMA City and the successful performance of the PUMA Ocean Racing Crew generated extensive media coverage that more than offset PUMA’s investment in the Volvo Ocean Race. The value of the media coverage on PUMA’s entry in the Volvo Ocean Race was estimated to exceed USD 40 million.

PUMA used the 11 port destinations of the Race to activate complex onshore marketing strategies. PUMA used every single race location – Alicante, Cape Town, Cochin in India, Singapore, Qingdao in China, Rio de Janeiro, Boston, Galway in Ireland, Marstrand in Sweden, Stockholm and finally St. Petersburg – to not only position PUMA as a Sailing brand, but to convey PUMA’s overall brand message, creating visibility for other PUMA categories through media and star-studded events. Such activities have set a new marketing benchmark in the growing sport of sailing. At the same time, while the sport of sailing is often perceived to be very exclusive, PUMA aimed to break down this misconception. The PUMA Ocean Racing campaign has successfully begun to broaden the sports’ audiences, with an inclusive, fun outlook on the sport.

The Volvo Ocean Race was the perfect platform to launch the PUMA Sailing performance and lifestyle collections and reach new target consumers. PUMA launched a full range of nautical inspired apparel, footwear and accessories, from offshore sailing gear to onshore lifestyle fashion. The PUMA Sailing Performance collection was developed and tested by the PUMA Ocean Racing team itself, and was worn by the crew throughout the entire race. Every single item worn by the PUMA Ocean Racing team from apparel to footwear and accessories, worn both on and off the water and in extreme conditions, was made by PUMA. PUMA delivered an impressive testament of its expertise and know-how in the new sailing category which was built up in no time to compete at the highest level in every respect. The first PUMA Sailing Lifestyle collections hit the stores at the beginning of 2008.

PUMA’s entry into sailing opened up further opportunities for entering other categories, such as the outdoor market. The Volvo Ocean Race served as a perfect test laboratory for PUMA’s outdoor products as the crew had to be equipped with apparel and footwear suitable for extreme weather conditions – from freezing cold to burning heat.

PUMA’s retail expertise manifested itself by providing a unique shopping experience in PUMA City at the stop-over ports. Retail expectations were exceeded, after sales in PUMA City on a single day in Boston topped daily sales in any PUMA store ever worldwide.

PUMA City is a mobile architecture and has accompanied our sailing crew during parts of the Race, being shipped to and assembled at the stop-over ports in Alicante and Boston to host celebrations, press events, entertainment and in-port race viewing. A unique retail space offered a selection of the PUMA Sailing, Motorsport, Urban Mobility and PUMA Archives apparel, footwear and accessories as well as the entire Volvo Ocean Race merchandise collection. PUMA City – that won the ‘Best Retail Space’ award by American publication Travel + Leisure – is a massive 11,000 square-foot structure made from twenty-four long steel shipping containers, each weighing in at eleven tons.

The 11-men strong crew around skipper Ken Read raced 10 legs of the race since the start in Alicante, Spain last October, and visited 10 countries in Africa, Asia, South and North America. Every leg of the race brought intense weather conditions, crazy boat speeds, navigation of dangerous seas and uncharted waters, broken equipment and even injuries onboard. They crossed the equator four times, experienced temperatures ranging between 0 and 35 degrees Celsius, consumed over 8,250,000 calories of mostly freeze-dried food, desalinated 140 litres of water per day for cooking and drinking, used 5,560 square metres of sail material to make 24 sails and over 2.5 kilometres of rope on il mostro.

Well done, guys! That’s damn impressive – the result, as well as the marketing campaign. Genius!

There are some very smart people at Puma, I must say. They’re a progressive brand and 2oceansvibe is proud to be affiliated with the leaping cat.