“My heart’s in the Highlands, my heart is not here My heart’s in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer A-chasing the deer, and following the roe My heart’s in the Highlands, wherever I go.”
CONTENTS Page 4
1. Welcome
Page 6 Page 8 Page 10
2. The Goal 3. The Race 4. The Skipper
Page 12
5. The Boat
Page 14
6. The Team
Page 16
7. Charity 8. Education 9. Flying the Flag 10. Sponsor Return 11. Contacts
Page 18 Page 20 Page 22 Page 26
WELCOME
H
ello. My name is John Mackay
and I hope that my effort to race alone
and I thank you for reading
around the globe can serve as an in-
this proposal and your inter-
spiration to others to seek their own
est in Team Vendée Scotland. It’s an
challenges and live their own dreams.
immense challenge to sail around the world, but there are much greater chal-
T
I
n the 2008/09 Vendée Globe over 200 million people clicked onto the race site and that number is pro-
jected to increase substantially for the
he ‘something great’ is the real-
2012/13 event. Many of those are in-
ly important part of this effort.
fluential members of world society as
There is an immense amount of
well as many ordinary every-day peo-
of hunger and lack of proper medical
good that we can do in the world by
ple, however if we are inspired and
care. I believe that we can use this
involving corporations and charities to
encouraged by the Team Vendée Scot-
sailing project to engage and involve
work together in a common cause with
land entry we can, together, make a
people across Scotland and around the
a common inspiration; my entry in the
substantial contribution to good chari-
world to help make this a better place
Vendée Globe. This brochure outlines
table causes.
for us all to live.
the sponsorship opportunity. You will
lenges in life and many ‘ordinary’ people are facing some serious challenges
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see that we plan to raise the funds for
M
y entry in the Vendée Globe
ur slogan, “Doing Something
the campaign from 8 separate spon-
Good While Doing Something
sors and partnering each sponsor with
Great” sums up my feeling
a charity (of their choice). This allows
about this campaign. The ‘something
more people to share the dream and
this will also lead to many more com-
good’ is the race around the world. I
twinning each sponsor with a charity
petitors in many more sports to en-
believe we all need
increases the value of the project, en-
dorse charitable causes. Let this no-
goals and ambi-
gages the sponsor with a worthwhile
ble entry inspire you to do something
cause, and helps the charities involved.
sometime to help others.
tions
in
life
aims
to
encourage
support
for those in poverty and need
throughout the world. It is hoped that
“DOING SOMETHING GOOD WHILE DOING SOMETHING GREAT” More people have flown in outer space than have sailed around the world alone. It’s an exclusive club. The goal of Team Vendée Scotland is to join this club. The task ahead is monumental - but we Scots know there is no task so monumental that we won’t take it on. It’s our intention to not only compete in this event - known quite simply as the world’s most grueling race - but to finish in a respectable position. We won’t win. That will be left to the professionals. But everyone who takes up the challenge of the Vendée Globe, and finishes, is a winner. Along the way we will fly the flag of Scotland and inspire school children across our country to “be all they can be.”
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n theory, the Vendée Globe is an utterly simple affair. Its fundamental principles come down to a few
sentences, compared to which even
P
hilippe Jeantot wished to go fur-
d’Olonne, where it was born. And as far
ther, to give a new dimension to
as the rest of the story is concerned…
the world of maritime adventure…
well, it’s up to the sailors themselves
“Time, he wrote, is a necessary factor
now.
the roughest logbook would seem so-
to attain perfect harmony with one’s
phisticated. A sailing race around the
sailboat. We had to forget about stop-
world, for singlehanders, without any
ping. A round-the-world race, without
stopover. That’s it. In theory at least,
stopovers or assistance, such were the
because beyond these words start
conditions to reach the desired com-
great stories.
munion. For the first edition, we set off
ed three or four monthe earlier after a
towards the unknown. None of the 13
journey of 24,000 nautical miles and
fficial supplier of legends since
sailors who crossed the starting line
lifetime of experience and memories.
1989, this race has impressed
in 1989 had the experience of a solo
the maritime world and the
journey exceeding 100 days” .
T
O
public in general, to the point where even the strongest superlatives seem unable to define it. The sea also has its
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n November 11th 2012, twenty
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ne of the reasons the Vendée Globe has been so successful is because of its simplicity.
You finish right back where you start-
he rules of the Vendée Globe stipulate that the competitors must sail around the world with-
navigators will set sails aboard
out stopovers and without any exter-
their monohulls, heading to-
nal help. If you look at the globe there
wards the three great capes, mark-
is really only one way to go and that
the world (BOC Challenge, with stopo-
ing the southern tips of the African
is south from France, past the Cape
vers), who refused to
continent, Australia and America. The
of Good Hope, under Australia, past
rest on his laurels.
Vendée Globe will start, for the 7th
the infamopus Cape Horn at the tip of
time, from the harbour of Les Sables
South America and back to France.
mythical summit, created 15 years ago by a sailor, two times winner around
J
ohn Mackay is a Scot to his bones and with that comes a love for adventure and an enduring love for
the sea. Now he is about to take on the biggest challenge of his life; a solo, nonstop circumnavigation of the globe. “It’s true that I have always loved the ocean and sailing and the outdoors,” Mackay said recently. “By sailing the Vendée Globe I get to not only combine my love of adventure, but I can so it in a way that inspires people. Team Vendee Scotland is all about doing something good while doing something great. I want this to be a great effort for all of Scotland. I know that it will be a challenge for me but with challenge comes reward.”
J
ohn has been on the water since his teens and caught the
sailing bug in the autumn of 1981 when he was invited to sail on the Clyde. That was it, a trip to the London Boat show in January 1982 ended in the purchase of a new Benneteau First 42, delivery taken in March that year at St-Gilles Croix-de-Vie. A lively 600 mile delivery trip from France to Scotland in force 8s and 9s cemented for John the now enduring tie and love of the sea.
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ver the last 28 years John has logged over 50,000 nautical miles cutting his teeth with extensive sailing on the tough stormy west coasts of Scotland, Norway and France. His offshore experience includes numerous TransAtlantic voyages including a double-handed passage from the Bahamas to Portugal.
J
ohn has always held an ambition to sail solo non stop around the world, there is no better or safer way to
do so than competing in the Vendée Globe. John is a committed, passionate and driven individual, a man of strong faith, a successful business man, meticulous organiser, poverty campaigner, a doggedly determined man who does not know when to give up. His love of adventure and challenge goes back to when he was a young boy, walking home alone over 50 miles from a boy scout camp at the age of 10, to prove a point to a chum.
M
ackay says, “I have loved every minute of my sailing particularly when it gets a bit exciting, the experience is so exhilarating, to me the ultimate sailing challenge is to sail solo non stop around the world. I am perfectly at ease with the sea however I have always respected the forces of nature present when sailing and I have come to understand the limitations of human endurance against such forces.”
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he boat that John Mackay will
beam (they were nicknamed “rudders
practically the whole of the area where
race around the world is a su-
on fire” and “aircraft carriers”) and
maneuvers are carried out. The safety
per powerful Open 60 designed
a long waterline length. It was a few
requirements imposed by the class on
specifically for singlehanded racing.
years later, in 1998, under the presi-
sailors and designers were largely re-
The rule for the Vendée Globe boats
dency of Christophe Auguin ( a two-
sponsible for this success.
was created by IMOCA, one of the
time Vendée winner) that the class
governing bodies of sailing. It was cre-
obtained recognition from the interna-
ated and refined in response to an in-
tional federation: ISAF.
creasing demand by sailors and spon-
S
ince the 2000 race, all competitors entering the Vendée Globe have to show that their boat is
of all, a boat that was extremely safe
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monplace and computer systems were
the skipper inside, he, or she, has to
even when damaged.
installed to obtain weather forecasts
self-right the boat.
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and to communicate with land and to
tertight bulkhead compartments guar-
hen the Vendée Globe was
send photos and videos. Autopilots, es-
antee a high degree of buoyancy even
created in 1989, the Open
sential for solo sailing, became more
if the boat capsizes or if there is a hole
60 class came under great
and more “intelligent.” Hulls and sail
in the side or deck. It nevertheless re-
scrutiny. The newest 60-foot boats
plans also evolved with the boats gain-
mains an open class allowing many
featured the characteristics required
ing power with wider sterns and bet-
innovations and making each boat
for downwind sailing
ter performance in upwind conditions.
unique. The bottom line is simple; the
Southern
Cockpits also became more protected
Vendée Globe boats are incredibly pow-
Ocean. A wide
with some having sliding roofs to cover
erful, extremely fast and simply spec-
sors alike to have a design that was manageable by a single person, spectacular to watch, and most important
in
the
t around the same time, cant-
capable of self-righting before they are
ing keels, aimed at improving
able to take part in the race. The boat
righting ability, became com-
is actually turned upside down and with Below decks wa-
tacular to witness.
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here is no truer statement than, “a single-handed circumnavigation is truly a team effort.” While
that may sound like an oxymoron,
B
rian will work closely with John Mackay to develop a comprehensive shore team that will in-
clude boat mechanics, media and PR
it’s absolutely true. John Mackay will
personnel, and a dedicated television
not be competitive racing around the
team that will document the campaign
world without the support of a crack
for the Scottish media and also for
shore team and to head this effort he
global distribution.
has chosen veteran circumnavigation Brian Hancock as his Project Manager and Shore Team Leader.
H
ancock is a top offshore sailor having raced and cruised over a quarter million offshore miles. He has
participated in three Whitbread Round the World Race campaigns, has crossed the Atlantic a number of time solo and best of all, is a top media person for all the current major offshore sailing events from the Vendee Globe to the Volvo Ocean Race.
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ne mans dream of sailing single handed non stop around the world not only involves many
people at all stages, it also provides
I
n the 2008/09 Vendee Globe over 200 million people clicked onto the race site and this will increase
substantially this time round. Many of
an opportunity for many people to do
those are influential members of world
some good. However personal this am-
society and many ordinary every-day
bition might be it becomes much more
people, however if we are inspired and
worthwhile if it can achieve something
encouraged by the Spirit of Scotland
substantial for humanity.
entry, we can together make a sub-
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stantial contribution to good charitable he idea of 8 sponsors allows
causes.
more companies and individu-
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als to be involved and being
part of the project allows more to share the dream. Twinning each spon-
his entry aims to encourage support for those in poverty and need throughout the world. It is
sor with a charity increases the value
hoped that this will also lead to many
of the project, engages the sponsor
more competitors in many more sports
with a worthwhile cause and helps the
to be inspired to endorse charitable
charities involved.
causes.
L T
et this noble entry inspire you to do something sometime to help others. hank you for reading this and please help by challenging poverty.
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the children and young people of Scot-
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land, but also to encourage children of
and entertaining. Live footage from
every age in every country. The object
Spirit of Scotland will be used in the
is to have a 30 minute downloadable
programs and will discuss interesting
seminar each week during the term
things like why the water spins in a
time of the academic year 2012/13.
certain direction when a bath plug is
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pulled to icebergs and albatrosses.
he aim of the Team Vendee Scotland Education Program is not only to engage and inspire
his will cover before during and after the race. Each seminar will be prepared by different volun-
teers from Scotland and other countries and will cover interesting and
e will, where we can, en-
and achieve all that they are capable
gage
of achieving.
celebrity
presenters
as well as school children to
make the video seminars fast, factual
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ducation can be fun and exciting and is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our children
and learning generations. This will
stimulating topics such as: prepara-
be a blow by blow account of a solo
tion, good management, geography,
non-stop circumnavigation with many
the ocean, wild life, pollution, pov-
aspects of the voyage almost experi-
erty, basic sailing, respecting nature,
enced by the viewer.
goals and achievement, navigation,
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seamanship, weather systems, etc.
he other aim is to instil a sense of participation and the belief that anyone can live the dream
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he full sponsorship period will run from the spring of 2012 until the summer of 2013, a length of 15
months. Interim media coverage as well as web site exposure will commence as soon as each sponsor is confirmed.
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ach sponsor will have a 1/15th space along with their nominated
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ne or more celebrities will be engaged
for
each
sponsor/
charity to become involved in
the project and to promote the charity and sponsor.
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H E
ospitality will be available at the start and finish of the race and an opportunity to meet and
network with other sponsors. ach
ach sponsor will be given 5 hospitality days for 8 persons onboard the yacht Spirit of Scotland. A
sponsor
and
nominated
charity will have a page on the Team Vendée Scotland web site
with links to their own web sites. Logo
sailing or other celebrity as well as the
and name branding for each sponsor
transom, deck, coach-roof, boom and
skipper, John Mackay and team leader,
and charity will be represented on the
sails of the yacht “Spirit of Scotland”.
Brian Hancock will be onboard.
home page of the Team Vendée Scot-
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land web site.
charity on the following: the hull,
The same on all clothing worn by the skipper and shore team, all backdrop areas during publicity by Team Vendée Scotland.
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he sponsor will be invited to the start and finish of the race for 3 days for 4 persons and will have
the opportunity to access the pontoons
ach sponsor will have full access
before the race and to meet the team
to all Team Vendée Scotland/
and other competitors. (This is a once
Spirit of Scotland promotional
in a life opportunity). Places will be re-
material
for Press, TV, Radio and
served on a launch at the start of the
internet exposure.
race when the competing yachts will be followed for approximately one hour.
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imilar branding will be used on all educational material and video work.
FLYING THE FLAG
each other or any would be oppres-
A
marked by more than our fair share of
sor who dared to come our way, the natural inheritance of a turbulent past
lthough Robbie Burns spent
our climate and landscape, the stag-
more time chasing local lowland
gering scenic splendour of forest and
lassies than he ever did pursu-
loch disguising the harsh reality of a
ing Highland deer, these oft quoted
largely inhospitable terrain that has
lines from our national bard evoke that
only been tamed through courage,
special sense of belonging that defines
endeavour and a stubborn determi-
the true spirit of Scotland.
nation to succeed above all odds. It
heart to others, comfortable with who
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comes from
countless
we are and the blessed privilege of be-
fighting
ing part of the greatest small country
his is the unique DNA that pulses through the veins of every native born Scot and lingers
still in the hearts of an estimated 90 million descendants around the world, passionately protective of an enduring umbilical connection to the auld coun-
centuries
suffering, sacrifice and struggle.
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ntangible and indefinable, this is what distinguishes the Scots a race apart – indomitable in the face
of adversity yet forever generous of
in the world.
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t has been said that if Scots were taken out of the world, it would surely fall apart. And it is, indeed,
remarkable that such a tiny country –
try which has been passed down from
nearly ten times smaller than Texas –
generation to generation.
could have had such an impact on the
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development of the world we know tot is what brings us together as a family, united in pride of our heritage, history and culture.
It
shines through as a reflection of
day. But why is it that so many Scots and their descendants should now occupy such a disproportionate place on the roll call of history?
R
en-
George Stephenson designed the first
trepreneurial and endlessly in-
train. The classic rags-to-riches story
ventive … perhaps it was these
of Andrew Carnegie who fled poverty in
esourceful
and
resilient,
that
Scotland to find his fortune in America
moulded such immortals as Alexander
and then gave most of it away as the
Graham Bell, John Logie Baird, Alexan-
world’s first great philanthropist is now
der Fleming, James Watt and so many
being repeated by his modern Scottish
other lesser known great Scots whose
descendant counterpart, Bill Gates.
contributions have changed the way
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distinguishing
national
traits
we live forever. Our gifts to the world range from the telephone and television to penicillin, anaesthetic, radio,
his
legacy
of
adventure
of
achievement will no doubt be
and become only the second Scot in
uppermost in the mind of John
history to sail single-handed around
radar, colour photography, microwave
Mackay as he takes the helm of the
the world.
ovens, the fountain pen, car tyres,
aptly named Spirit of Scotland at the
raincoats, the thermos flask, whiskey
start of the Vendée Globe round the
and, of course, golf.
world race 2012.
t runs in the blood too. Three quar-
tional flag – the Scottish saltire – fly-
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ters of all US Presidents have been
ing high above his head, John is taking
every one of nearly 25,000 miles that
of Scottish descent, as were the
on the challenge of the toughest ocean
John will need to complete to realise
first men on the moon Neil Armstrong
race in the world in a quest to emulate
his dream and steer that unique Scot-
and Buzz Aldrin.
the legendary exploits of Chay Blyth
tish spirit safe home at last.
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Resplendent in kilt
and with the world’s most enduring na-
Scots descendant
s you will see, you can be part of this too and follow John over every wave, through good
times and bad, across every ocean and
For more information about the Team VendĂŠe Scotland Campaign please contact us. In Scotland and the rest of Europe please contact John Mackay email - john@teamvendeescotland.com phone - +44 7768 581165 For the United States and Canada please contact Brian Hancock email - brian@teamvendeescotland.com phone - +1 617 271 0712