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HARKEN EQUIPS VOLVO open 70s WITH HARDWARE AND WINCHES

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Volvo Pewaukee, Wisconsin—For the 2005 Volvo Ocean Race five of seven Volvo Open 70s are equipped with the latest Harken deck gear and four of seven optimized with high-tech winch packages. Volvo Open 70s are 10% longer than Volvo 60s, weigh the same, and fully power up in 7 knots of wind. With a maximum displacement of only 14,000 kg (30,870 lb), this new breed of ocean thoroughbreds are extremely fast and demanding to sail.

ABN AMRO ONE	Winches and Hardware
ABN AMRO TWO	Winches and Hardware
Movistar	Winches (Partial Hardware)
Ericsson Racing Team	Hardware
Pirates of the Caribbean	Hardware
Premier Challenge	Winches

“In these boats weight saving is more critical than ever,” said Peter Harken, company president. “Additional bulb weight in the canting keel provides significant improvement in boat stability and therefore available power,” he added. “The huge sail areas combined with high stability means loads on our gear are extreme. We had to develop winch and block systems that were lightweight, but very strong, with the reliability needed for a 33,000-mile race.”

High-tech carbon winch systems feature sleek pedestal-driven primary, mainsheet, runner and halyard winches. Travelers and jib cars use Harken’s CRX Captive roller bearing systems for shorter, lighter, stronger and more efficient cars than those of similar size. America’s Cup-tested blocks feature machined titanium sideplates with composite bushing sheaves. Blocks are designed for easy maintenance, and provide the ultimate in weight savings and reliability.

Harken became a player in 1989-1990 when six maxi boats in the then Whitbread Around the World Race featured Harken deck hardware. The second place finisher in the 25-boat fleet was the Harken-equipped Fisher & Paykel—deck hardware, sheaves and titanium fasteners. In 2001-02 Harken hardware and winches were onboard the winner, Germany’s VO60 illbruck Challenge. Said U.S. skipper John Kostecki, “Our Harken winches and hardware performed so well we could trust the gear and focus 100% on the job. At each stop, Harken’s team was with us servicing winches, checking deck gear and keeping our Harken engines fine-tuned.”

Harken continues to innovate, researching new materials, using state-of-the-art design tools and software, and following up with great service to make its hardware and winch packages the very best. During the 2005 Volvo, a Harken service team will travel to every stopover and provide competitors with expert technical support.

Harken, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of innovative sailboat hardware and accessories. Headquartered in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Harken manufactures in USA and Italy. Their network includes offices in Rhode Island, California, Florida, France, Italy, Japan Sweden, Slovena and the United Kingdom.