Ashurst announces partnership with James Harayda and Gentoo Sailing Team for their Vendée Globe campaign
29 June 2023
Global law firm Ashurst announces that it will be partnering with British yachtsman James Harayda, a rising star in ocean racing, and the Gentoo Sailing team in connection with James' 2024 Vendée Globe campaign.
James has competed in many of the world's largest offshore races, in the process becoming a two-time British Double Handed National Champion with renowned teammate Dee Caffari. James is the youngest skipper currently competing in the IMOCA Globe Series and in November 2024 will be the youngest competitor to embark from Les Sables d'Olonne in France on this 25,000 nautical mile solo, non-stop, and unassisted round the world yacht race.
Through this partnership Ashurst becomes the Official Legal Services Partner to the Gentoo Sailing Team, with the firm's branding being visually prominent on the Gentoo Sailing Team racing yacht. James will also be participating in a number of bespoke events, including on several podcasts with Ashurst partners to discuss the shared values between Gentoo and Ashurst, such as sustainability, innovation and resilience.
Ashurst partner Cameron Smith commented: "We are delighted to be partnering with the Gentoo Sailing Team, whose innovative vision and sustainability ambitions reflect our own. As a firm we are committed to becoming a top global law firm, known for outpacing change, with an innovative vision and approach. James and the Gentoo Sailing Team share many of our same values and have a clear vision of how to achieve their goals. We are delighted to partner with Gentoo Sailing Team and to support James achieve future successes."
James Harayda, Gentoo Sailing Team Skipper and Team Principal, added: "We are thrilled Ashurst has come onboard as Gentoo’s official legal services partner. Our ethos is simple: being sustainable does not need to come at a cost to performance, but rather accelerates our innovation and impact, so in Ashurst we are delighted to have a partner who not only understands our passion but shares our values."
