2004 Global Challenge - VAIO Yacht Sails Into Second Place In First Leg Of Global Challenge Yacht Race
4th November 2004

Buenos Aires, Argentina - Sony's VAIO yacht fought a fierce head to head battle with Barclays Adventurer for a podium finish, as the first leg of the Global Challenge yacht race came to an end. With mere miles separating the leaders, VAIO secured seond position and arrived in Buenos Aires to an excited crowd.

The Global Challenge yachts have been at sea since the race started on 3rd October in Portsmouth, when 12 identical yachts set sail to race the 'wrong' way around the world in the world's toughest yacht race. Racing across the Atlantic, it wasn't long before the pack started to separate and VAIO soon made steady progress to not only take the lead on several occasions, but also staying consisently within the leading pack.

Amedeo Sorrento, skipper of the VAIO yacht, commented: "This has been a very exciting finish to the first leg of the race and I know I speak for the whole crew when I say we can't wait to see what happens next!"

As well as sponsoring the VAIO yacht, Sony has also equipped each of the 12 yachts with an integrated state of the art audio visual equipment solution. The crews have been provided with Sony cyber-shot digital cameras and camcorders to capture the significant moments of the challenge to share with friends and the media following the race. In addition to this, they have three Sony VAIO notebooks and display monitors for navigation and communication purposes. All up-to-the-minute weather information is available to the crews on two of the notebooks, allowing them to make informed decisions to assist them in remaining competitive, while the third notebook is used to email family and friends throughout the race.

"This sailing challenge gives ordinary people an extraordinary opportunity to do something different with their lives," commented Stewart Burness, technical manager at Sony. "The same can be said of the unusual way that our IT and digital imaging products are being used - which proves that it is the people that bring the products to life."

Sony will present a trophy and state of the art Cyber-shot camera for the best photograph of each leg and the winner of the Buenos Aires leg will be announced during the prize giving ceremony on 25th November.

The yachts leave Buenos Aires and set sail for Wellington, New Zealand on 28th November. The remaining leg start dates are as follows:

Wellington, New Zealand - 6th February 2005

Sydney, Australia - 27th February 2005

Cape Town, South Africa - 1st May 2005

Boston, USA - 19th June 2005

La Rochelle, France - 13th July 2005

Finish date - 17th July 2005

For further information on the race, please visit: www.globalchallenge2004.com