Extreme 40 2005-7

Conrad is someone who thrives on a challenge and when the concept of sailing a powerful 40ft catamaran in confined city venues was presented by it’s creator, Olympic silver medallist, Mitch Booth, Conrad knew instantly that it was a formula for success. It also provided an opportunity to learn a new discipline in sailing – Multihulls, something that had been on Conrad’s agenda for a while.

There is always a huge risk with starting a new venture and the Extreme 40 was right at the far end of the spectrum. The class was new, the budgets were sizeable and the organisation behind the class was fledgling.  But, pioneers in life take risks and both Mitch Booth and Herbert Derksen had managed to persuade Volvo to back the venture and were looking for five teams to join the circuit. Conrad had some budget from Motorola that was for the Transat Jacques Vabre, but persuaded the telecoms company to back his plans to enter the circuit on the basis that he would finance the construction costs. Conrad went to five marine finance companies and each one said no. At this point, he’d signed a contract with Motorola and with Tornado Sports, the manufacturers of the class and the boat was being built.

The deadline was looming and the final down payment on the boat was due, yet Conrad was still trying to secure the finance, and through his determination it finally came good, and Barclays Asset Finance came up with an incredible deal. With the boat secure and the team in place, the circuit delivered some brilliant sailing and a new future for our sport was created. The original sponsors, Motorola, Tommy Hilfiger, Basilica, Volvo and Holmatro took the risk and together with Tornado Sports launched a class that is still changing the way sailing is viewed as a sport.