Team Holmatro ready for iShares Cup Series 2008
December 21, 2007 by Team Holmatro | 0 comments
On Wednesday December 19th 2007, Andreas Hagara (AUT) was officially announced as helmsman of the Holmatro Extreme 40. He replaces Carolijn Brouwer (BEL) who will focus completely on her Tornado campaign, leading up to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Team Holmatro will again represent the Netherlands in the iShares Cup Series 2008. In last year’s edition, the Dutch entry finished second overall. Now, it aims for winning the title in 2008.
On Wednesday December 19th 2007, Andreas Hagara (AUT) was officially announced as helmsman of the Holmatro Extreme 40. He replaces Carolijn Brouwer (BEL) who will focus completely on her Tornado campaign, leading up to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Team Holmatro will again represent the Netherlands in the iShares Cup Series 2008. In last year’s edition, the Dutch entry finished second overall. Now, it aims for winning the title in 2008.
“Next year is an Olympic season, so many top multihull sailors are not available. We are lucky that Andreas Hagara leaves the Olympic spot to his younger brother Roman. That is good for us and we are pleased to contract Andreas as helmsman”, said Jaap Meijer, CEO of Holmatro. Team Holmatro was the very first campaign to enter the series back in 2005 and the sponsor’s enthusiasm is still strong. Mr. Meijer: “Our participation causes positive publicity in general, but it also gives us the opportunity to test new product developments on a high level. Another feature is the fantastic hospitality possibilities. We can offer our clients a unique experience. We are still enthusiastic and positive.”
The 2008 iShares Cup Series will bring the fleet to some new locations. According to the Extreme 40 Class Organisation, at least ten 40-foot catamarans will line up for the third spectacular racing circuit. The first venue will be Switzerland, followed by France, United Kingdom, Germany and The Netherlands. In addition to this schedule, there will be several one-off events, like Round the Island Race and Centomiglia on Lake Garda.
Andreas Hagara
“I am happy to sail all season”, said Andreas Hagara at home in Austria. In the last two years, he joined Team Holmatro several times, but he was not part of the core crew. Despite his busy timetable for the Olympic year – he is coach of the American Tornado team – Hagara managed to schedule enough time for the whole Extreme 40 series. His aim for 2008 is clear: “I would like to win the circuit, which will not be easy. It is going to be a long season and there will be for sure three teams fighting for the title.” According to Hagara, they are now working on selecting the international crew.
The Austrian helmsman has an impressive record of fourteen medals in World and European championships. He started sailing the Tornado in 1985 and two years later he won his first world title in the Olympic class. He also claimed three European titles; in 1990, 1996 and in 2003. He and his brother, double Olympic champion Roman Hagara, dominated the world ranking for years. Andreas Hagara: “At the Worlds just before the Olympics in 2000, Roman and I matchraced the whole event and I became second. I lost the Olympic selection in the final race, so I coached Roman in the last year up to the Games.” After the European title in 2003, Andreas Hagara’s crew had to give up due to health problems and Hagara decided to quit as well: “It was too close to the Olympics to start all over again. That is why I decided to coach my brother in Athens.” Hagara, who competed on the highest possible Olympic level, considers the iShares Cup as challenging: “It requires more teamwork and the short racing is a bit different compared to what we are used to in the Tornado. It’s a show and good for the sports. Especially now that the Tornado has lost its Olympic status. All classes have the opportunity to show what catamaran sailing is about. After Beijing, many Tornado sailors will change classes. I think the Extreme 40 will benefit from that.”
Holmatro is no stranger to the sailing circuit having maintained a close and successful association with the Dutch raced Grand Soleil 44. Building on that relationship the company will supply the Extreme 40 fleet with hydraulic mainsheet systems and custom designed winches.
The full circuit will be announced very soon.
Diana Bogaards
www.diabo.nl
