Wärtsilä and the Finnish 49er sailors Lauri Lehtinen and Heikki Soininen have agreed on cooperation for the years 2007-2008 in forming the Wärtsilä- Arcada team. Arcada who has been the competitors’ sponsor for several years, is satisfied with the new arrangement that enables the successful relation to develop.
“We are very pleased to be part of the team,” says Mikael Simelius, Wärtsilä’s VP, Marketing Communications and Branding. “They are young, enthusiastic, and dedicated; they are capturing the opportunities and want to be the best in their field. These are words that describe Wärtsilä very well and values that fit into our corporate values: energy, excellence and excitement.”
Arcada has supported Lauri Lehtinen’s team since autumn 2002 when it competed in the 29er class, as junior. As a university of applied sciences Arcada is keen to reach the age group that Lauri and Heikki represent.
“The sponsorship has been a long-term investment and we feel that now is the right time to go further with a new partner,” Jan-Erik Krusberg, Vice Rector at Arcada, explains. “As the team moves to more international waters, it seems natural for us to create a stronger support for the team together with a globally well-known company,” Krusberg continues.
Aiming for Olympics
The team started sailing in the 49er class in the fall 2005, after having been very successful in the 29er class. Through systematic training the team is now one of the top 49er teams in Finland. They finished fourth in the Finnish championships in 2006. The Wärtsilä-Arcada team is the youngest 49er team in Finland and is included in the training programs for the Finnish Sailing Federation and Finnish Olympic Committee. Their short-term goal is to win Finnish championships in 2007 and to compete as the Finnish team in the Olympic Games in China in 2008. The long-term and main goal is to win an Olympic medal in London 2012.
“As Wärtsilä is increasing its activities in Asia, we would of course be happy to see that our team would be present at the Olympic Games in China,” Simelius continues.
“Our new degree programme in the field of sports makes this commitment even more relevant to us,” says Jan-Erik Krusberg.
The 49er is a quick, 5 meter long, double handed sailing dinghy. Its special characteristic is its exceedingly big sail area compared to its weight. The 49er class was for the first time included in the Olympic Games in Sydney 2000. Finland got its own active 49er class in 1995.
For further information, please contact Mr Mikael Simelius, VP, Marketing Communications & Branding, Wärtsilä, tel. +358 10 709 5650 or Mr Jan-Erik Krusberg, Vice Rector, Arcada, tel. +358 207 699 610.
Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä enhances the business of its customers by providing them with complete lifecycle power solutions. When creating better and environmentally compatible technologies, Wärtsilä focuses on the marine and energy markets with products and solutions as well as services. Through innovative products and services, Wärtsilä sets out to be the most valued business partner of all its customers. This is achieved by the dedication of more than 14,000 professionals manning 130 Wärtsilä locations in close to 70 countries around the world.
Arcada in brief
Arcada is an international Swedish university of applied sciences with nearly 2400 students and 160 staff. Arcada offers professionally oriented higher education that provides the skills that are essential for careers as creative and competent employees and experts. The Arcada Campus is situated in the area of Arabianranta in Helsinki. The fields of education are Business Administration, Healthcare, Social Services, Sports, Technology and Communications, The Arts and Tourism. Characteristic of Arcada is the on-going development of knowledge through research that encourages student involvement.
