Kiwi offshore sailor, nicknamed the “Crazy Kiwi” and 2-time Vendée Globe racer Conrad Colman announces his new team, Aotearoa Ocean Racing, to take on The Ocean Race.
Conrad Coleman. Photo: Georgia Schofield
After completing two Vendée Globe solo around the world races and a total of now four laps circumnavigating the planet, this is a coming-home for the kiwi sailor after becoming one of the fiercest competitors in France and Europe in recent years.
Joined by his co-founder and fellow kiwi Rowan Gyde, a marine business and diplomacy expert, the pair are currently building a formidable squad of New Zealand’s best offshore sailing talent, whilst also laying out clear pathways for youth, women and Maori involvement on water and on shore.
Conrad Coleman at Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. Photo: Suellen Hurling / Live Sail Die
On Tuesday 25th March, to a crowd of over 140 Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron members, Coleman told his Vendee Globe story, talking about losing power, finding icebergs, and showcasing just how close the fleet was during the race.
Conrad Coleman. Photo: Georgia Schofield
“I grew up in Auckland idolising the ocean-racing sailors that tore in and out of the city on their way to the ocean’s most remote reaches. I was inspired by their courage, and thirst for adventure and because the Kiwis were inevitably holding the trophy at the end! Now I want to build a new Kiwi team to take on the challenge again, as a team and as a country!” – Conrad Colman, co-founder of Aotearoa Ocean RacingAfter
Conrad Coleman, co-founder Aotearoa Ocean RacingPlans are underway for a new foiling IMOCA boat to be designed and built with as much Kiwi involvement as possible, with bases planned for New Zealand and France. On the water, Conrad has set the bar for the globalIMOCA fleet and demonstrated his commitment to decarbonisation by completing his last two Vendée Globe campaigns without burning any fossil fuels.
It’s a dream come true to work with Conrad and bring back a kiwi team to such an iconic event. This project is so much more than offshore sailing, we hope to inspire a generation of ecologically conscious sporting superstars.
Rowan Gyde, co-founder Aotearoa Ocean RacingWith the support of institutional partners across both nations, plans areafoot for further economic and cultural exchanges with marine, technology and decarbonisation-focused companies across both continents.
A loyal group of corporate sponsors have already pledged support and the team is now actively taking further expressions of interest from new partners and sponsors who share the core values of AOR.
With a soon-to-be-released elite sailing squad, board of directors, and key corporate partners, this is an exciting time for the future of New Zealand sailing. The Ocean Race is considered the toughest race in all of sport, Colman and his team are setting out to win it.
