PUMA® announced today that world-renowned design team, Botin Carkeek and acclaimed custom yacht builder, Goetz Custom Boats have been commissioned to begin work on PUMA's new Volvo 70, which will compete in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009.

Goetz Custom Boats of Bristol, Rhode Island has set the standard for building state of the art composite racing yachts. Goetz has a stellar reputation for building boats for offshore endurance races that are built for speed, strength and reliability. Goetz boats have proven themselves in the most competitive arenas’ having built boats that have won the America’s Cup, Admiral’s Cup and Maxi Worlds. Goetz boats have also competed successfully in three Whitbread/Volvo Races.

Botin Carkeek of Santander, Spain have been named as the principal design team for PUMA Racing. Marcelino Botin and Shaun Carkeek are internationally known for their outstanding reputation, designing some of the fastest racing yachts in the world. They are recognized as industry leaders and plan to test the boundaries of modern yacht design when it comes to PUMA's new race boat. Marcelino Botin is currently the lead designer for Team New Zealand in the America's Cup Challenger Trials. The designers have had resounding success in the highly competitive IMS and TP 52 classes.

The PUMA Racing Team's new Volvo 70, which will compete in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009, will be ready to set sail in early 2008.