The
Transat - Wells Fargo Takes Naming Rights Of Open-50
Racing Yacht
Joe
Harris to set sail with the Wells Fargo-American
Pioneer
BOSTON - April 15, 2004 - Wells Fargo announced
today that accomplished sailor Joe Harris will
be at the helm of the Wells Fargo-American Pioneer
in this summer's Transat race from Plymouth, England
to Boston, Mass. The Transat is a brutal, 3,000-mile
single-handed sailing race across the chilly North
Atlantic. Harris will set sail on May 31 and expects
to finish the race in mid-June.
"We
are proud to sponsor Joe Harris and have him at
the helm of the Wells Fargo-American Pioneer,"
said Douglas Novitch, vice president of Wells
Fargo's Real Estate Group. "He has the spirit
of an American pioneer - innovation, perseverance
and courage - qualities that make him an excellent
choice to navigate the Wells Fargo-American Pioneer."
The
Wells Fargo companies sponsoring Joe Harris and
his Open-50 racing yacht include Wells Fargo Real
Estate Group, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Eastdil,
Financial Risk Management, Wells Capital Management
and US Corporate.
"I
am honored by the support and enthusiasm that
Wells Fargo has chosen to commit," said Harris.
"This is proof that the pioneering spirit
of Wells Fargo from 1852 continues to be a priority
in everything they do."
About
Wells Fargo
The Wells Fargo Real Estate Group represents Wells
Fargo on commercial real estate transactions and
offers a wide array of commercial real estate
loans and treasury management products. All products
are originated through loan production offices
located throughout the United States.
Wells
Fargo Home Mortgage, headquartered in Des Moines,
Iowa, is a leading originator and servicer of
residential mortgages. A subsidiary of Wells Fargo
& Company (NYSE: WFC), Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
serves all 50 states through the leading mortgage
lending network in the country, with a presence
in more than 1,900 mortgage and Wells Fargo bank
stores and on the Internet. Combines, its retail
and wholesale lending operations provided funding
for approximately one of every eight homes financed
in the United States in 2003.*
Wells
Fargo & Company is a diversified financial
services company - providing banking, insurance,
wealth management and estate planning, investments,
mortgage and consumer finance from 5,900+ stores,
the world's leading Internet banking site (wellsfargo.com),
and other distribution channels across North America
and elsewhere internationally.
About Joe Harris and Gryphon Solo Joe Harris,
44, is an accomplished businessman and experienced
sailor who has set his sites on competing in several
professional offshore races including the grand
task of 5-Oceans, a solo race around the globe
previously known as Around Alone. Joe has founded
his Gryphon Solo campaign in 2003 with the assistance
of a strong team, which includes Whitbread veteran
Brian Hancock, PR pro Wendie Demuth, shore support
Brian Harris, solo sailor Brad Van Liew as offshore
sailing coach and sponsorship consultant Meaghan
Van Liew.
For
daily updates and photos during The Transat race,
go to www.gryphonsolo.com.