Finnish sailor Thomas Johanson, has signed with Ericsson Racing Team as crew member in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009. The 49er Olympic gold medallist from Sydney 2000 will be sailing with Ericsson's Swedish skipper Anders Lewander on the Nordic crew. At the age of 38 Thomas Johanson is now writing a new chapter in his sailing career. After many years of inshore fleet racing and as skipper onboard a 60 foot multihull, Thomas is ready to take on his first round the world race. Thomas is not worried about climbing down a rung or two. In his dinghy days and as skipper on the 60 foot trimaran, he was of course making all the decisions himself. Now he suddenly has to follow orders. With three Olympic campaigns and extensive experience in big boat racing Thomas is a valuable addition to the crew. As a helmsman he has proved that he can make boats go fast and he is a team player with a winning attitude. Skipper Anders Lewander has, just like Thomas, a strong background in dinghies sailing, having been a member of the Swedish National Sailing Team. Amongst different and very varied sailing experiences - ranging from 49ers to Archipelago Raid - Anders has also sailed around the world on board Cheyenne/Playstation in the Oryx Cup 2005. He has been working for North Sails Sweden since 1994, and is a very experienced sail maker.
Ericsson Racing Team will participate with two boats in the next Volvo Ocean Race. One will have an international crew and the other will be all Nordic. The two crews will be part of one same team and the two boats will compete on an equal basis. Both of them will be built by Killian Bushe next to Ericsson's headquarters in Kista, Stockholm. Having two competitive crews in the next race will allow Ericsson Racing Team to train efficiently before the start of the race in Alicante Spain in October 2008.
Ericsson Racing Team will participate with two boats in the next Volvo Ocean Race. One will have an international crew and the other will be all Nordic. The two crews will be part of one same team and the two boats will compete on an equal basis. Both of them will be built by Killian Bushe next to Ericsson's headquarters in Kista, Stockholm. Having two competitive crews in the next race will allow Ericsson Racing Team to train efficiently before the start of the race in Alicante Spain in October 2008.
