March 26, 2006, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Australian Chris Nicholson received the Musto Seamanship Award for his bravery and quick thinking in saving movistar from potentially sinking, at a glittering prize-giving ceremony in Rio de Janeiro last night.

The Australian watch captain was the man who powered up the pumps after water came flooding into the Spanish boat during the fourth leg of the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06.

He dived underwater to connect two emergency bilge pumps directly to the batteries, suffering a series of electric shocks as he secured the connection, and was able to fire up the pumps to drain tonnes of water that had risen to four feet high in the mid compartments.

The crew on Ericsson received the Media Award, presented by Executive Director of Volvo Car Brazil Marcos Saade, for the quality of their footage, audio and emails during the fourth leg. On receiving the cheque, crew member Richard Mason (NZ) promptly handed it on to Brasil 1 skipper Torben Grael for his Grael Project, which creates opportunities for underprivileged children to go sailing.

The Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean Watch Environmental prize was the next to be awarded. Given to the team that makes a difference to the environment, the prize went to Brasil 1 crew member Horacio Carabelli.

“Brasil 1 has twice taken responsibility not to cause any unnecessary pollution,” said Nils P Dyviok, company president and CEO who presented the award.

“Firstly by doing their utmost in collecting all debris when their mast broke during leg two and a second time when they had a leak in one of their hydraulic rams. The crew managed to get the leakage situation under control and even managed to recycle the oil. By doing this they diminished the risk of both running out of oil and of course saving the environment from an oil spill.”

New Zealander Mike Sanderson, skipper of ABN AMRO ONE, received two trophies. The crew were called up on stage to receive the Roaring Forties Trophy which is awarded to the team that achieves the highest aggregate points from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro.

The Trophy, which features an albatross, was presented by Mr Romula Mello of Birdlife International Brazil, who explained: “This Trophy represents the Save the Albatross Campaign which has been adopted by the Volvo Ocean Race to reduce the seabird’s incidental capture by long line fishing.”

Shortly after, the ABN AMRO ONE team song played again and this time Sanderson and his team were on stage to collect the trophy for winning leg four of the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06, which was presented by Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

The prize-giving, which was attended by around 1200 crew, sponsors and organisers, was held in a specially constructed auditorium at the Marina da Gloria and continued well into the night as guests shimmied to the beat of a vibrant Brazilian samba band.

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