VELUX 5 OCEANS and the VELUX Group both take on the elements
The goals of business and sports unite when the title sponsor and skippers of VELUX 5 OCEANS challenge the ordinary to reach extraordinary results.
The goals of business and sports unite when the title sponsor and skippers of VELUX 5 OCEANS challenge the ordinary to reach extraordinary results. Both break down barriers when taking on the elements. So it is no coincidence that the VELUX Group is sponsor of the world's longest and toughest ocean race for the second time.
As a manufacturer of roof windows, the VELUX Group knows what it takes to challenge the immense forces of nature. Roof windows are exposed to burning sun, pounding rain, heavy snow and fierce storms. So they must be thoroughly designed and tested from the inside out, just as the six skippers of VELUX 5 OCEANS have to prepare their boats and gear for the harsh conditions of the oceans. This parallel forms the basic relationship between the title sponsor and the ocean race.
"Although we come from different worlds, we see a similarity between us and the race in the way we meet challenges. We do our outmost to succeed as winners by exercising strong will and creativity. We also strive to inspire people to harvest the free resources nature provides, such as daylight and fresh air," says Michael K. Rasmussen, Chief Marketing Officer of the VELUX Group.
Daylight and fresh air are the essence of what the VELUX Group stands for. The name itself is derived from two words – Ventilation and lux, the Latin word for light. Since its foundation in 1941, the VELUX Group has attained the position of being one of the strongest brands in the building industry, which brings with it the responsibility of leading the industry to the next level.
To this end, the Group is closely involved in developing sustainable buildings as a contribution to the fight against climate change. These buildings are characterised by having maximum energy efficiency, minimum CO2 emission and visionary architecture, combined with improved health, better human well-being and greater indoor comfort. Furthermore, they are based on using sustainable energy sources, especially solar thermal energy.
"It is possible to find innovative solutions to some of the major challenges our planet is facing, and we can even do it with the products we already have today. VELUX Group has already proved that trough a number of experiments – VELUX House in La Rochelle is one of them. It has the potential to produce more energy than it uses," says Michael K. Rasmussen.
The VELUX Group's commitment to the climate agenda is reflected in the fact that the overall theme of the race is sustainability. Under the umbrella of Taking on the Elements, all partners of the race are seeking to promote sustainable awareness. The race is the first purely Eco 60 race ever, introducing a brand new boat class to this VELUX 5 OCEANS. The new class uses Open 60 yachts launched before 2003. They are green, sustainable and affordable ocean racing yachts with a proven record of reliability and safety. Although class rules allow a minimum use of fossil fuels, two skippers will attempt their circumnavigation using only renewable energy sources – solar energy and hydro energy.
"This race goes beyond the daily grind. No one is left unaffected when we see how these skippers are battling the fury of the Southern Ocean, suffering from sleep deprivation and completely on their own. It's a true inspiration for everybody who wants to get extra value out of life," says Michael K. Rasmussen.
After the start in La Rochelle, France, the route takes the skippers to Cape Town, (South Africa), Wellington (New Zealand), Salvador (Brazil) and Charleston (South Carolina, USA) before they sprint the Atlantic back La Rochelle.
About the VELUX Group
The VELUX Group holds the title sponsorship of VELUX 5 OCEANS for the second time. The spirit, values and nature of the race and its skippers are similar to those of the VELUX Group. As a manufacturer of roof windows, the VELUX Group employs creativity and an in-novative approach to the development of new products and business strategies. In its mis-sion to create better living environments with daylight and fresh air through the roof the Group has earned the reputation of being one of the strongest brands in the global building materials sector. The VELUX Group has manufacturing companies in 11 countries and sales companies in just under 40 countries, it has about 10,000 employees and is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company wholly owned by foundations and family. For more details, visit www.velux.com