Michael Illbruck invites his mother to do the honours because ‘my mother has christened all the fast boats so it's a good omen’

Irish boatbuilder Killian Bushe has once again worked wonders and there was much admiration for the sleek Farr design he has turned out from the temporary boatbuilding yard in the illbruck automotive plant in Leverkeusen.

Christiane Illbruck, wife of founder Willi and mother to Michael, did the honours with the champagne because her son believes she has the touch of Achilles: “My mother has christened all the fast boats so it’s a good omen.”

The completion of the build was celebrated last Saturday by the illbruck team and various other interested parties have been to visit the boat before she heads off to her summer training base in Charleston, North Carolina. She will return to this summer’s Fastnet Race before making final preparations for the start of the Volvo Ocean Race.

“This is a significant milestone in our Volvo Ocean Race campaign,” said Michael Illbruck. “It’s a special moment for the crew, the boat builders and our employees. We have been waiting for this since 1997 when we first decided to take on this challenge. The design team, the race crew and the boatbuilders have dedicated so much to developing a competitive boat. We all look forward to illbruck’s maiden voyage next month.”

Skipper John Kostecki was delighted with the results of Bushe’s labours: “The race crew will spend most of the next year living and racing on board this boat. We will experience all sorts of weather conditions in seas spanning the globe.

“On board this boat our race crew will competing to win the world’s premier ocean race. Together we will face situations that will test not only our skill, but our spirit. This crew is ready for the job and now we have the boat to do it. Killian Bushe and his team have delivered and now it’s our turn.”

Click here for the illbruck website.