Perhaps the most striking boat in the VOR fleet is the team AkzoNobel yacht with its intricate blue-and-purple color scheme. Sailing fans and AkzoNobel employees (and many who are both) have been following its progress around the world. Particularly exciting were the team’s nail-biting victory in the Hong Kong to Auckland leg, and the speed record set between Newport and Cardiff – 567.03 nautical miles in just 24 hours! 

One dedicated sailor in particular was captivated by the dynamic action and spectacle of the race. Sylvestre Santos Filho, Technical Salesman for AkzoNobel and owner of the Baforada 3 decided to base the boat’s new color scheme on the livery of his favorite team.

The Sincerest Form of Flattery 

“As soon as team AkzoNobel’s boat launched with those vibrant colors I loved it, and I wanted my boat to look just as good,” explained Sylvestre. “I also wanted to pay homage to the team when the race arrives in Brazil. I’ve been following the Volvo Ocean Race from the start, and I’m even more proud to have such a famous Brazilian as Martine Grael on our team.” 

The seventh leg, from Auckland to Itajaí, coincided with the launch of Awlgrip in Brazil, making it an even better time to put the brand’s colors on proud display. Thanks to the expert color-matching technology of Awlgrip, Sylvestre was able to match the Light Blue Metallic of the team boat exactly. 

“I’ve been a boat owner since 2002, and felt close to the sea since my childhood. My jobs have always been related to boating as well, especially working for International Paint and AkzoNobel. It really helps to be so engaged in the boating world – it’s much easier to relate to customers when you have the same needs!” 

As the fleet left for its next destination outfitted with Awlgrip and International coatings, it was easy to see how each boat’s attractive livery can be an inspiration for employees, customers and sailing fans alike.