Photos: L Oskar Kihlborg R Team ABN AMRO
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Wed, 15 Nov 2006 14:00:00 UTC
Ericsson Racing Team performed a ‘JK’ double act in announcing John Kostecki as skipper and Juan Kouyoumdjian as principal designer of their entry in the 2008-09 race.
Kostecki, the 42-year-old American, was the winning skipper in 2001-02 aboard Illbruck. He was also among Ericsson’s 2005-06 crew, as tactician, before sharing the helming duties with Britain’s Neal McDonald.
Kostecki was an Olympic silver medallist in 1988, and has been a multi-world champion in a range of one-design classes. Besides having three Whitbread/Volvo Ocean Races on his CV, he has also been part of four America’s Cup campaigns as tactician.
Thirty-five-year-old Kouyoumdjian was responsible for the radical Volvo Open 70 designs of ABN AMRO ONE, the winner of the 2005-06 race, and her stable-mate ABN AMRO TWO. The Argentine, who will oversee the build of the new Ericsson boat in Sweden, has been involved in a number of projects including the America’s and Admiral’s Cup, TP 52’s and IRC. It was confirmed that Kouyoumdjian will work exclusively for the Ericsson Racing Team.
Commenting on the forthcoming Ericsson campaign, Kostecki said: “My goal is clear: I am working with Ericsson Racing Team to win the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race. I will give it my all. Ericsson have shown and proved their dedication to this event, and I am proud to join their effort towards winning the race.”
www.ericssonracingteam.com
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