Team Holmatro will be the first of the Volvo Extreme 40 teams to be launched and today have revealed the striking graphics of their new 40ft sports catamaran.

The Volvo Extreme 40, an exciting new mid-size multihull has been purpose-designed for grand prix racing. The Volvo Extreme 40 series will form part of the in-port entertainment during the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06 stopovers. The Team Holmatro boat will be on the water on Wednesday 27 July.

Holmatro are world leaders in hydraulic rescue equipment and now continuing to expand into the Marine industry with a range of hydraulic hardware under the name Holmatro Marine.

“We are so excited in this new project and really looking forward to having our first test sail. We saw this class and series as a great opportunity to bring our marine products to the market at the highest level, ” said Jaap Meijer, chairman of Holmatro.

The fleet of Volvo Extreme 40s will be fitted with Holmatro hydraulic downhaul and mainsheet systems. The boats will also come with custom built Meissner winches that have been designed specifically for these high speed race cats. Holmatro are official class supplier for hydraulics and winches (the winches are promoted under the brand name Meissner).

The Holmatro sailing team will include multihull expert Mitch Booth as helmsman and multi world champion Herbert Dercksen as tactician. The remaining crew members will be finalised shortly. Booth commented: “It is great to work together with Holmatro who share the same passion for the sport of sailing and enthusiasm for this extreme project.”