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Volvo Ocean Race Trophy - The "Fighting Finish"
To fully reflect the endeavor, the endurance and the competitiveness of this great race, a very special trophy was needed.
Waterford Crystal, following a competition of international trophy suppliers, was chosen by the Volvo Ocean Race to create the piece.
Based on a "Fighting Finish" between V.O.60 class boats, it artistically represents the close race everyone hopes for. The trophy took three months in the design stage and a further eight weeks to complete. Roy Cunningham, who designed the trophy, is himself a keen sailor and a member of Waterford Harbour Sailing Club. He applied his considerable maritime knowledge with his 28 years of crystal experience in overseeing the project.
The sails are fashioned from a solid block of crystal, with over 100 hours of work in the careful sculpting of the final shape. More than eight crystal blocks were used before the perfect shape emerged. The other seven were re-melted to make further Waterford Trophies.
The trophy base was carefully cut to capture the light of the waves and a world map marked out with the race route was painstakingly engraved.
"All in all this is one of the most significant trophies to have ever left the Waterford factory," said Mel Morgan, Waterford Crystal Manager of World Sport. "To create a piece to reflect the efforts of 9 months over 4 oceans and 32,000 miles is a challenge that we in Waterford Crystal took on with relish."
Waterford Crystal will also create trophies for all the legs of the Race and a commemorative piece for each Race participant.
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