Press Release - 25 september 2007

GAASTRA AND T-MOBILE OFFICIAL SPONSORS OF DUTCH PARTICIPANT IN MINI

In September 2007 competitive sailor Lucas Schröder (31) took part in the ‘Mini Transat Solo’, one of the most difficult ocean races in the world for solo sailors. Gaastra and T-Mobile together sponsored the competitive sailor. In everyday life Schröder works as a regulatory economist at T-Mobile. Gaastra regarded its sponsorship of Schröder’s participation in the challenging Mini Transat as a perfect showcase for the brand-new Gaastra PRO collection.

In SGaastra: “For a Dutch company with strong nautical roots such as Gaastra, this kind of adventure by a Gaastra Dutch solo sailor was the perfect sponsorship. It really is something to be proud of. Add to that the fact that we had just developed a completely new PRO collection. For months professional sailors had been enduring for Gaastra the extreme circumstances that Lucas faced in order to perfect the functionality, safety and comfort of the clothing. By wearing Gaastra clothing in extreme situations and in view of the whole world Lucas was able to demonstrate that our PRO collection really could handle any challenge.”

A Formula 1 car at sea
Ever since he was a child Schröder has dreamt of major yachting races such as the Volvo Ocean race. On 27 August 2006 Schröder and two other Dutch people succeeded in qualifying for the Mini Transat 2007. The T-Mobile One is 6.50 metres long, 3 metres wide, has 11 metres of mast, is 1.60 metres deep, weighs 1,000 kg, 400 kg of which is in the keel, and has a top speed of 36 km/hr. The base is flat, except for the keel, which gives it the speed of a surfboard.

Mini Transat
For competitive sailors the Mini Transat is the ultimate challenge. The participants have to cover over 8,000 km, alone, in 30 days. The race starts in France and travels via the Canary Islands to Brazil. As regards intensity, the race is often compared to climbing Mount Everest.

Fifth in first stage of Transat 6.50
On 16 September 2007 the Transat 6.50 was started for the 15th time. The race was divided up into two stages. The first was from La Rochelle to the island of Madeira, 700 km west of Africa.

On the morning of Tuesday 25 September 2007 Lucas Schröder’s T-Mobile One crossed the finish line of the first stage in fifth place. Schröder fluctuated between fourth and seventh place but was able to overtake another two competitors with the finish line in sight. After six days, 13 hours, 51 minutes and 14 seconds he set foot on land on the island of Madeira.

The outcome: Lucas Schröder finishes seventh overall in the 2007 Mini Transat 6.50!!
On the morning of Saturday 27 October 2007 solo sailor Lucas Schröder finished ninth in the second stage of the Transat 6.50. At 03.50 hrs local time Lucas’s boat crossed the finishing line after 20 days, 19 hours, 33 minutes and 14 seconds on the coast of Salvador de Bahia in Brazil. The adventurous Amsterdammer finished in a creditable seventh place overall, which is the best Dutch performance ever!

Lucas Schröder on the race Just like virtually every other participant in the Transat 6.50 Schröder too was faced with material problems and mental setbacks. But the boat behaved perfectly and thanks to the good preparation he had the right clothing for all the weather conditions. He thoroughly enjoyed his once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was with mixed feelings that the Amsterdammer left the Atlantic Ocean and his 6.5-metre-long yacht. “I really enjoyed it,” said Schröder candidly. “The last three days I’ve had mixed feelings. This was a unique experience. When I look back over the last two years, I am happy. As far as I’m concerned, the race could have lasted another week.” After he had stepped onto land, the champagne flowed: “My parents and brothers were there and I could finally give my girlfriend a big hug. It was amazing. Suddenly you’re standing in that crowd. It was a weird feeling, and five seconds later you’re in the water. I’d forgotten that ritual.”

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