The official Wight Vodka press release

13th July 2010 – Wight Vodka Teams with Alex Alley & David Thomson in their Global Ocean Race Campaign

Cowes, England

Competing in the Global Ocean Race takes determination, intellect, ego and attitude. It also takes money!

Alex Alley and David Thomson are the co-skippers of their Class 40 yacht, which they will race around the world in the Global Ocean Race from September 2011. Over the next 14 months, they will be preparing themselves and their yacht for the rigors of the 30,000 mile circumnavigation. Both Alex and David have many regattas, trans-atlantics and circumnavigations under their belts, and this time they’re determined to share the experience with as many individual and corporate sponsors as they can.

“It’s great to have the Wight Vodka brand onboard our Global Ocean Race campaign!” said Alex Alley, skipper of the Class 40 yacht. “Wight Vodka’s gained such an incredible following within the British yachting scene in a very short time, and to have their support is totally welcomed. We’ve agreed with Ritu and her team at 50 North that the next five sponsors who contribute £150 or more to our campaign will receive a bottle of Wight in return. How great is that!?”

Scheduled to start in September 2011, the Global Ocean Race will follow the same route raced by the yachts competing in the 2008-09 event. Starting in France, the race stops in Cape Town, South Africa, Wellington, New Zealand, Punta del Este, Uruguay and Charleston, USA before finishing back in France, a total of over 30,000 nautical miles.

“Working with Alex and David on this project is exhilarating,” said Ritu Manocha, owner of 50 North, the company behind the Wight Vodka brand. “Their enthusiasm and competitive spirit go hand-in-hand with the Wight Vodka brand, and we can’t wait to see them cross the start (and finish!) line in next year’s race. We encourage our Wight Vodka fans to support their efforts, and follow them online from September 2011.”

About Alex Alley & David Thomson’s Campaign
A unique opportunity for you and your business to raise its profile, the People’s Boat campaign is created to allow our sponsors to track our progress as we circumnavigate the globe from 2011 to 2012. Your branding will be on our hull for the three years of the campaign, and you will be entered into regular draws to win a chance of sailing with us. And now in collaboration with Wight Vodka, for a select few who provide sponsorship of £150 or more, you will receive a bottle of Wight Vodka in return. For more information please visit www.peoplesboat.com.

About 50 North
50 North are the creators of Wight Vodka. The company’s spirit and enthusiasm for the ocean, coupled with the centuries-old regatta traditions of the Isle of Wight (and of course a full appreciation of superior vodka!) culminated in the creation of the world’s smoothest, 42% ABV potato-based vodka. One sip of Wight Vodka will make a believer out of the most discerning connoisseur, and the company welcomes your joining a unique and elite class. www.wightvodka.com. Tack & Gybe Responsibly.