21.01.2010 7:09

A ceremony held in the Lluis Companys hall of Barcelona’s Ajuntament building at midday today celebrated the launch of the New York – Barcelona record. The IMOCA Open 60s Estrella Damm and W Hotels will attempt to establish the first record between an Atlantic and a Mediterranean city.

Two cities, two boats, 3,750 nautical miles and one great challenge: to set the very first sailing record between New York and Barcelona. The NY-BCN Transoceanic Sailing Record, organized by the Fundació Navegació Oceànica Barcelona (FNOB), the city’s ocean sailing foundation, with the collaboration of the New York City Sports Commission was officially presented today in the Lluis Companys hall in the Barcelona city hall building. As well as collaboration from the NYC Sports Commission, the New York Yacht Club and the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona are also on board.

Councilor for Sport for Barcelona and President of the FNOB Pere Alcober led the ceremony where details of the cultural and educational projects within the framework of the event were given. Speaking at the press conference were Jordi Valls, Presdient of the Port of Barcelona; Lluís Conde, President of the Salón Náutico, Barcelona’s international boat show; Enric Crous, Director General of the  Damm group; Richard Brekelmans, Director General of the hotel W Barcelona; Javier Casado, Manager of Nova Bocana Barcelona; Pepe Ribes and Alex Pella skippers on Estrella Damm; Pachi Rivero, skipper on W Hotels and Edward Cesare, reserve US skipper..
 
Pere Alcober commented: “This brand new transoceanic challenge comes about within the context of the mission of the FNOB to foster projects at the top level of ocean sailing, such as the Barcelona World Race, and this will help to take our city and our sport around the globe”.