The Beginning of a New Adventure

"I am sure that many VELUX customers, employees and fans of The Ultimate Solo Challenge are thrilled with this news," says Michael K. Rasmussen, VELUX CMO.

The next VELUX 5 OCEANS will begin and end at the city of La Rochelle on the west coast of France. The announcement was made today, 27 October 2008. For the first time, the longest and toughest solo yacht race on earth will be fired off from the shores of France.

"This marks the beginning of a new adventure. La Rochelle is our first choice as starting point for The Ultimate Solo Challenge. The city has hosted big sailing events in the past and the VELUX 5 OCEANS adds to this heritage. I am sure that many VELUX customers, employees and fans of The Ultimate Solo Challenge are thrilled with this news," says Michael K. Rasmussen, VELUX CMO.

In the course of the 30,000-mile race, the skippers will cross five oceans alone and make stops on five continents. It begins at in La Rochelle on 17 October 2010 and continues to Africa, Australia, South America and North America before returning to France in May 2011.

"This truly global sports event is a perfect match for the VELUX Company. The sponsorship offers many opportunities to meet and interact with our key partners and customers all around the world. At the same time we hope that this adventure will further strengthen the motivation and team spirit in VELUX."

Ocean racing in general, and the VELUX 5 OCEANS in particular, has strong links to VELUX, supporting the company brand and reflecting core values like daylight and fresh air and durability.

"VELUX roof windows and the skippers of the VELUX 5 OCEANS are indeed known to fight the elements of nature. Be it roof windows or sailing boats, our VELUX family and the skippers of the VELUX 5 OCEANS rely on highly durable products to keep them dry and safe," concludes Michael K. Rasmussen.

VELUX 5 OCEANS – The Ultimate Solo Challenge
The VELUX 5 OCEANS is the oldest and most established, single-handed, round-the-world yacht race. With a rich sporting heritage, the race has been contested every four years since 1982, previously under the names of BOC Challenge and more recently Around Alone. The VELUX 5 OCEANS demands the ultimate in human endeavour; the number of people who have climbed Mount Everest or travelled to the moon by far exceeds those who have completed a solo circumnavigation.

In 2006, the race celebrated its 25th anniversary and established a special partnership with the title sponsor VELUX. Over the years, the race has consistently attracted a wide array of entries from around the globe, making heroes of many celebrated yachtsmen and women, including Mike Golding, Philippe Jeantot, Giovanni Soldini, Jean-Luc van den Heede, Isabelle Autissier, Bernard Stamm and Emma Richards.
www.velux5oceans.com

About VELUX
VELUX creates better living environments with daylight and fresh air through the roof. Our product range contains a wide assortment of roof windows and skylights, as well as systems for flat roofs. In addition, VELUX offers many types of decoration and sun screening, roller shutters, installation products, products for remote control and thermal solar panels for roof installation. With manufacturing companies in ten countries and sales companies in just under 40, VELUX is one of the strongest brands in the global building materials sector and its products are sold in most parts of the world. The VELUX Group has around 10,000 employees and is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company wholly owned by foundations and family.
www.velux.com

About Clipper Ventures Plc
This year marks the 39th anniversary of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's historic solo and non-stop circumnavigation in 1970. Now, as Chairman of Clipper Ventures PLC, he is at the forefront of promoting round-the-world yacht racing. Clipper Ventures, the marine sports company founded in 1995 and listed on the AIM stock market in London in 1999, is focused on developing and promoting major events capable of attracting significant participation, income, media coverage and associated sponsorship revenue. The company owns the rights to the Clipper Round-the-World Yacht Race, the VELUX 5 OCEANS, and Zapcat Racing, the world's largest one-design powerboat series.
www.clipper-ventures.com