A Pirate's Life for the Volvo Ocean Race

A Pirate's Life for the Volvo Ocean Race

PORTSMOUTH, England, March 21/PRNewswire/ -- The Volvo Ocean Race is braced for the glare of Hollywood with the
ground-breaking announcement today that there will be a Pirates of the
Caribbean II entry in the 2005-2006 round the world race.

The Walt Disney Company and Volvo (Volvo Car Corporation and AB Volvo)
have entered into a unique film marketing deal for Pirates of the Caribbean
II and the agreement will include the creation of a competitive entry in the
31,250 nm adventure - the world's premier ocean race.

The announcement of the 'Pirates' boat ensures a high-profile US presence
among the fleet for the eight-month epic.

Glenn Bourke, the Volvo Ocean Race CEO, said: "The excitement and
intrigue which this entry brings to the race takes us to a whole new level in
terms of global profile and exposure. To link up with a Hollywood icon such
as the Walt Disney Company is a fillip for the event and for sailing in
general.

"The deal also underscores the value of the Volvo Ocean Race as a
compelling marketing communications tool in the eyes of the commercial world.
In terms of competition, I fully expect this team, proudly flying the flag of
the United States, will be at the sharp end of the race for honours."

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer
and directed by Gore Verbinski, once again stars Johnny Depp as Captain Jack
Sparrow, Orlando Bloom as Will Turner and Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swann.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, the spectacular follow-up to the
international blockbuster released in 2003, is currently being filmed in Los
Angeles and the Caribbean and is due for release in July 2006.

Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, said: "We're excited to
be participating in the prestigious Volvo Ocean Race, which is very much like
the 'formula one' of yacht racing. This is a fun and unique way to remind
viewers all over the world that Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
will be sailing into theatres next summer. Given the film's high seas
adventures and nautical themes, this marathon sporting event is a great way
to make some waves and generate awareness among the millions of viewers."

The 'Pirates' campaign will be headed by Atlant Ocean Racing, the
syndicate company of Richard Brisius and Johan Salen.

Note for Editors:

High resolution conceptual images of the Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead
Man's Chest Volvo Ocean Race boat are available from www.image.net

Royalty-free images can be downloaded from http://media.vemuk.com

Please contact Picture Desk Manager Patrick Anderson,
Tel: +44-(0)777-55-33-956. Email: Patrick.Anderson@volvooceanrace.org for
assistance.

The Volvo Ocean Race

- The Volvo Ocean Race will start with an in port race in
Sanxenxo, Galicia, on November 5, 2005. The start of leg one, the first
offshore leg, will be from Vigo, Galicia, on November 12, 2005.

- The Volvo Ocean Race is a round the world yacht race
featuring nine offshore legs. The 2005-2006 event will feature an inshore
race at each of the main stopover ports.

- Four teams from the last race measured the media value of their
exposure. The results showed an average of US$50 million, which equates
to a 200-300% return on their sponsorship investment.

- The Volvo Ocean Race 2001-02 achieved a cumulative audience of
over 800 million viewers ranking it among the top international sporting
events.

- The Volvo Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of
trucks, buses and construction equipment, drive systems for marine and
industrial applications, aerospace components and services. The Group
also provides solutions for financing and service.

- AB Volvo business areas are - Volvo Trucks, Mack, Renault Trucks,
Volvo Buses, Volvo Construction Equipment, Volvo Penta, Volvo Aero and
Volvo Financial Services. Several business units provide additional
manufacturing development or logistical support. The largest business
units are: Volvo Powertrain, Volvo 3P, Volvo IT, Volvo Logistics, Volvo
Parts and Volvo Technology.

www.volvooceanrace.org

Source: Volvo Event Management UK LTD

For further media information on the Volvo Ocean Race, please contact: Cameron Kelleher, PR Director: Tel: +44-(0)1489-564-555, Mobile: +44-(0)7795-185-430, Email: cameron.kelleher@volvooceanrace.org , www.volvooceanrace.org . For information about Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, contact: Vicky Lewis, National Publicist, Buena Vista International (UK): Tel: +44-(0)208-222-1653.

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