LaCie Sponsors Earthrace Eco-Boat as it Attempts a World Record Race Around the Planet

PORTLAND, OR (June 2008) – LaCie announced today that it is the official on-board digital storage provider for the Earthrace eco-boat as it attempts to break the round-the-world speed record.

Earthrace is an incredible, custom-built 78-foot trimaran-style boat that runs exclusively on biodiesel fuel and leaves a net zero carbon footprint. Captain Pete Bethune and his crew set off from Sagunto, Spain on April 27 in an attempt to break the previous record of 75 days.

LaCie supplied Earthrace with a number of storage solutions including the d2 Quadra, USB Key Max, and the Rugged Hard Disk. These LaCie products are important for ensuring that all media footage, including photographs, gets from the boat to the ground crew and then prepared for global distribution at every race stop.

Earthrace’s route takes it across the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans as it travels 24,000 nautical miles along the planet’s circumference at a maximum speed of 40 knots. When the boat succeeds, Earthrace will be the first renewable-fuel boat to break the record.

The eco-boat has many additional green credentials, such as low-emission engines, non-toxic anti-foul marine paint, and an efficient hull design that allows the boat to run continuously at high speed in both flat and rough sea conditions. In a brave display of commitment to the cause, Captain Bethune even underwent liposuction to donate his own fat to be processed into biofuel.

“We are excited to be part of a thrilling green endeavor that is attempting to break the round-the-world speed record by use of an ecologically-friendly vehicle. LaCie is actively seeking its own ways to incorporate environmentally-friendly practices into product development, logistics, and day-to-day business practices,” said Cyril Hommel, LaCie Business Unit Manager, Consumer Products. “The LaCie Rugged, which was one of the mobile products chosen for this unique journey, is designed for adventurous activities and is solely bus-powered to help limit energy consumption aboard the boat.”

“We’re delighted LaCie is supporting Earthrace,” says Captain Bethune. “This project wouldn’t have been able to happen without their support and their contribution is vital to the overall goal of showing the world that the best technology can also be sustainable.”

“We and the ground crew appreciate the fantastic support we have received,” continues Bethune. “Every single company and individual’s efforts count in our race to beat the world record.”

About Earthrace
Earthrace is run as a not-for-profit venture, with a boat, ground and London HQ crew made up of international volunteers.

From the start in Sagunto, the boat will cross the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans and travel through the Panama and Suez Canals as it thunders around the planet’s circumference at a maximum speed of 40 knots, attempting to break the round-the-world speed record. The full record route is as follows:

Sagunto (Spain) – Horta (Azores) – San Juan (Puerto Rico) – Colon (Panama Canal, Panama) – Manzanillo (Mexico) – San Diego (USA) – Maalaea Harbor, Maui (Hawaii) – Majuro (Marshall Islands) – Koror (Palau) – Singapore – Kochi/Cochin (India) – Salalah (Oman) – Port Said (Suez Canal, Egypt) – Sagunto (Spain)

You can find out in real time exactly where Earthrace is now by going to www.earthrace.net and clicking on the ‘Where is Earthrace’ globe.

About LaCie
Located in the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, Europe, Singapore and Hong Kong, LaCie is the leading manufacturer of computer peripherals for PC, Apple and Linux users. LaCie creates external storage solutions and color monitors that help professionals and everyday users easily manage their digital lives. LaCie has differentiated its products through original designs and leading-edge technology. Established in France in 1989, LaCie is listed on Euronext under FR0000054314 (LAC). For more information, visit www.lacie.com.


# # #

Contact LaCie
Press Inquiries: Barry Katcher, 503-844-4578, bkatcher@lacie.com
Nick Murray-Leslie/Nick Warren, Chatsworth Communications,
+44 20 7681 4070, news@earthrace.net
Sales Inquiries: Direct Sales, 503-844-4502, sales@lacie.com
Reseller Sales, 503-844-4500, sales@lacie.com



Notes to editors:

High resolution, copyright-free photographs and video footage are available to download from the ‘News and Media’ page on www.earthrace.net

You will need a password to access the video footage. Please contact news@earthrace.net

Contact Information

Barry Katcher

Public Relations Manager

LaCie

Contact via E-mail