Volvo Cars Of North America Continues Partnership
With Explorers Ann Bancroft And Liv Arnesen
In Efforts To Inspire Women And Children Worldwide
First women to cross Antarctica are now conducting six-week 'Great Lakes' adventure; Volvo, main partner of Antarctic expedition, to provide support to Great Lakes events
IRVINE, Calif. (May 22, 2002) -- Volvo Cars of North America today announced the continuation of its partnership with history-making explorers Ann Bancroft (46, Scandia, Minn.) and Liv Arnesen (48, Oslo, Norway) as they conduct their latest endeavor, "Bancroft Arnesen Explore Great Lakes." The adventure is a six-week, 2,000-mile journey through the Great Lakes region to encourage women, girls and others around the world to unleash the power of their dreams.
Volvo was a major partner in Bancroft and Arnesen's historic Antarctic expedition last year. On Feb. 11, 2001, the explorers fulfilled their childhood dreams and became the fist women to ski and sail across the frozen continent. Millions worldwide, including schoolchildren and adults in 48 countries, followed their expedition via news stories and the www.yourexpedition.com Web site. Volvo provided financial and technical support for the 94-day, 1,717-mile journey.
"Ann and Liv's ongoing mission to inspire and promote the achievement of dreams embodies the spirit of Volvo for Life," said Dan Werbin, president and chief executive officer for Volvo Cars of North America. "We are proud to be associated with these remarkable women as they continue to pursue their dreams and encourage the dreams of others on this important Great Lakes journey."
Bancroft and Arnesen's Great Lakes adventure, which is being conducted via kayak, ore boat and other modes of transportation, began May 17 in Grand Portage, Minn., on the shores of Lake Superior and concludes in late June in Ottawa, Canada, near Lake Ontario. As part of their partnership, Volvo is providing the explorers and their team with two Volvo Cross Country support vehicles.
The Great Lakes Adventure allows the two former schoolteachers to meet face-to-face with people and share stories to inspire individuals to pursue their own dreams. They'll invite women, schoolchildren, Girl Scouts, disabled people and others to paddle with them at free "Paddle to Your Dreams" events in cities along their route, including Detroit, Mich.; Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo, N.Y.; and Toronto, Ontario. Complete event details are available on www.yourexpedition.com.
In addition to Volvo, corporate partners for "Bancroft Arnesen Explore Great Lakes" are 8th Continent soymilk, Pfizer Norway, Pfizer Women's Health, Pfizer Inc., CELEBREX® , and DuPontTM KEVLAR®/Big Spoons. All Bancroft Arnesen Explore events are developed by presenting partner yourexpedition.
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Media Contact: Volvo: Sören Johansson, Volvo Cars of North America, 949-341-6719, sjohan@volvocars.com
Great Lakes Adventure: Molly Gaines/Suzanne Fedoruk, Haberman & Associates, 612-338-3900, molly@habermaninc.com, suzanne@habermaninc.com
Photography: Photographs of Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen are available for download at www.volvocars-pr.com and www.yourexpedition.com.
