2 June 2021, London: Extreme E’s Ocean X Prix was won by Rosberg X Racing’s Molly Taylor and Johan Kristoffersson, making it two wins from two, meaning they maintain their lead in the overall standings.
The action packed weekend was also the chance for Extreme E to highlight the issues the world is facing due to the climate crisis and some of the various solutions on offer.
Following the Ocean X Prix Final, Extreme E staff, guests and drivers including the likes of Jamie Chadwick, Stéphane Sarrazin, Kevin Hansen and Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, came straight off the podium to take part in a beach clean of the race course, collecting over 100 bags of waste from the sands of Lac Rose.
Stephan Senghor, Senegalese eco-entrepreneur and Founder of GroupeSenghor which has worked alongside Extreme E and its Legacy Partner to.org over the past 12 months, said: “Today is a great day for me, it’s as if we’re closing the loop because we started here with a beach clean up over a year ago, and we ended up with the big beach clean up, including teams and series staff together, and that felt like a good moment for me because it brings the message together.
“We’re not here for show, we are here to make some real change happen. This is the message that Extreme E is conveying, its technology, it’s radical sport, but it’s also about care for the planet, and care for the planet comes with action not just intention. Extreme E has demonstrated that in Lac Rose, there aren’t many sports where drivers come straight from the press conference to pick up trash on the beach.
“What Extreme E has done in this area, no event whatsoever has done the same. My huge thanks to Alejandro and this team, and to Nachson Mimran and his to.org changemakers who turned this event here in Senegal from a dream into a reality.”
Nachson Mimran, CEO and co-founder of to.org, said: “The to.org team and I are immensely grateful to Extreme E and all those that supported the Ocean X Prix over the weekend, accelerating the mission to reduce the effects of climate change in our second home, Senegal.
“The nation shone brightly on screens worldwide over the weekend, a global audience was able to witness the spectacular coastline we are working hard to protect. The to.org team and I offer our thanks to Alejandro Agag, the fantastic Extreme E race teams and everyone that supported our Legacy Programme initiative to plant and protect mangrove trees. I can’t forget to mention our local implementation partner in the mangrove project, Oceanium, and our long-term collaborator and friend, Stephan Senghor, for their tireless dedication to Senegal’s environmental health.”
In the days lead up to the racing, and over the race weekend itself, Extreme E media and guests were given various insight talks, including the subjects of ocean health and plastic pollution.
Sheena Talma, Scientific Committee Advisor to Extreme E, said: “Extreme E is an innovative way of portraying the messages of the climate crisis. For a long time as scientists we sit in a different world and that means that a lot of our work and information about global climate change stays within that community, but I think there’s been a big push towards trying to get out of those crystal palaces and essentially disseminate that information and I believe Extreme E gives us an extra platform to do that.
“It involves a very different group of people so it’s interesting to see for example during the breaks in the racing broadcast, environmental information highlighting the effects we are having on the planet versus sporting content.
“One of the things that I spoke about was the fact that we need to consider this uncomfortable subject and then take action. When we talk about things like global climate change and the fact that it’s actually immediate, not two years from now and relying on someone else to deal with it, it makes people uncomfortable, but if we don’t talk about it, find solutions and take action we will all be in real trouble.
“We have a lot of work to do but I’m really optimistic, there are a lot of people that are working to try to change mentalities locally, for example the mangrove project Extreme E is supporting also works with the community on how to mitigate the effects of climate change.”
Extreme E has big ambitions aside from delivering thrilling racing and these are met through its Legacy Programmes in each country it visits and its collaborations with some of the most innovative companies in the world to highlight the climate crisis, support communities and showcase real world solutions.
These companies include AFC Energy that delivers a hydrogen fuel cell to charge the fleet of ODYSSEY 21s emission-free, Zenobe that has provided a second-life battery to power the paddock, Henosis masks that have produced biodegradable masks for the Extreme E team, plus Polymateria that revealed a very exciting LivingLab in Senegal.
The LivingLab showcased LyfeCycle, a new solution from Polymateria to tackle plastic pollution, just one of the many issues of climate change. The glass box was filed with sand from the course and used LyfeCycle products which over the coming months will biodegrade demonstrating the potential of this plastic that can be recycled, or will return to nature in a matter of months leaving no trace, unlike normal plastic, which take thousands of years to degrade and when it does, leaves harmful microplastics behind that have a detrimental impact of the planet.
Adding a final statement, Sheena Talma said: “I think the question now goes back to us, what can we do right now to mitigate the effects that we are all having on the planet?”
While Extreme E’s race locations are in remote corners of the world, everyone has the power to make a difference, and this is demonstrated through Extreme E’s Count Us In Challenge, which invites fans to take practical steps on climate change by pledging to take action to reduce their carbon footprint in support of their favourite team. Fan pledges for each team are added together in the Challenge leaderboard, with the winning team claiming the Extreme E Sustainability Award at the end of the series.
Extreme E’s next event – the Arctic X Prix – takes place from 28-29 August in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland to highlight the melting ice cap and the issues that brings.
To learn more about Extreme E, visit – www.Extreme-E.com
About Extreme E:
Please visit the Extreme E media centre to access images, videos and press releases: https://www.extreme-e.com/en/mediacentre
Extreme E is a radical new racing series, which will see electric SUVs competing in extreme environments around the world which have already been damaged or affected by climate and environmental issues. The five-race global voyage highlights the impact of climate change and human interference in some of the world’s most remote locations and promotes the adoption of electric vehicles in the quest for a lower carbon future for the planet.
To minimise local impact, Extreme E races will not be open to spectators, with fans instead invited to follow the action through live TV broadcast, and on social media.
The St. Helena, a former passenger cargo ship, has undergone a multi-million Euro refit to minimise emissions and transform her into Extreme E’s operations hub. The ship will be used to transport the championship’s freight and infrastructure, including vehicles, to the nearest port, minimising Extreme E’s footprint, as well as being used to facilitate scientific research through its on-board laboratory.
Extreme E is also pioneering hydrogen fuel cell technology which will enable its race fleet to be charged using zero emission energy. This innovative solution from AFC Energy uses water and sun to generate hydrogen power. Not only will this process emit no greenhouse emissions, its only by-product will be water, which will be utilised elsewhere on-site.
Season 1 Calendar:
Desert X Prix: AlUla, Saudi Arabia
3-4 April 2021
Ocean X Prix: Lac Rose, Senegal
29-30 May 2021
Arctic X Prix: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
28-29 August 2021
Amazon X Prix: Para, Brazil
23-24 October 2021
Glacier X Prix: Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
11-12 December 2021
About to.org:
To.org is a platform that operates in venture capital, philanthropy, and the creative space, uniting all three on a mission of ‘tikkun olam’. Founded by Nachson and Arieh Mimran, the organization incubates relationships and talent that make the world a better place.
The to.org mission is achieved in four distinct ways: 1) To: Ventures – investing to accelerate Earth’s most vital ventures; 2) To: Create – amplifying Earth’s most vital ideas; 3) To: Foundation – accelerating vital solutions to Earth’s greatest challenges; 4) To: Collection – driving engagement with provocative commissions.
To.org has been involved with TOGETHER FUND, #TOGETHERBAND, mPharma, Flutterwave, Clara Foods, and Diamond Foundry, Pangaia, Beyond Meat among others.
More: to.org
About Continental Tires: Founding Partner and Official Tire Partner
Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent, and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. Continental generated preliminary sales of €37.7 billion in 2020 and currently employs more than 235,000 people in 58 countries and markets. In 2021, the company celebrates its 150th anniversary.
The Tires business area has 24 production and development locations worldwide. Continental is one of the leading tire manufacturers with more than 56,000 employees and posted preliminary sales of €10.2 billion in 2020 in this business area. Continental ranks among the technology leaders in tire production and offers a broad product range for passenger cars, commercial and special-purpose vehicles as well as two-wheelers. Through continuous investment in research and development, Continental makes a major contribution to safe, cost effective and ecologically efficient mobility. The portfolio of the Tires business area includes services for the tire trade and fleet applications, as well as digital management systems for tires.
About CBMM: Founding Supplier
CBMM is the world leading supplier of niobium products and technology. Headquartered in Brazil, with offices and subsidiaries in China, Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland and the United States.
CBMM offers technical innovation to customers around the globe through a team of over 2,000 highly trained, dedicated professionals providing cutting-edge niobium products and technology to over 400 clients in around 40 countries.
About LuisaViaRoma:
Defined by the Financial Times as “A haven for directional fashion,” LUISAVIAROMA.COM is the top online luxury fashion destination with 5,000,000 visitors per month and worldwide shipping. With each new season, the website presents the collections of more than 600 established designers and young emerging talents.
About Zenith: Official Timekeeper and Founding Partner
ZENITH: TIME TO REACH YOUR STAR.
Zenith exists to inspire individuals to pursue their dreams and make them come true – against all odds. Since its establishment in 1865, Zenith became the first watch manufacture in the modern sense of the term, and its watches have accompanied extraordinary figures that dreamt big and strived to achieve the impossible – from Louis Blériot’s history-making flight across the English Channel to Felix Baumgartner’s record-setting stratospheric free-fall jump. Zenith is also highlighting visionary and trailblazing women – past and present – by celebrating their accomplishments and creating in 2020 its first-ever collection dedicated entirely to them, Defy Midnight.
With innovation as its guiding star, Zenith features exceptional in-house developed and manufactured movements in all its watches. Since the creation of the El Primero in 1969, the world’s first automatic chronograph calibre, Zenith has gone on to master fractions of the second with the Chronomaster Sport and its 1/10th of a second precision and the DEFY 21 with a precision of 1/100th of a second. Zenith has been shaping the future of Swiss watchmaking since 1865, accompanying those who dare to challenge themselves and break barriers. The time to reach your star is now.
About Allianz: Founding Partner and Official Insurance Partner
The Allianz Group is one of the world’s leading insurers and asset managers with more than 100 million private and corporate customers in more than 70 countries. Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance to assistance services to credit insurance and global business insurance. Allianz is one of the world’s largest investors, managing around 790 billion euros on behalf of its insurance customers. Furthermore, our asset managers PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors manage 1.7 trillion euros of third-party assets. Thanks to our systematic integration of ecological and social criteria in our business processes and investment decisions, we are amongst the leaders in the insurance industry in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In 2020, over 150,000 employees achieved total revenues of 140 billion euros and an operating profit of 10.8 billion euros for the group.
About Neat Burger: Official Plant-based Partner
Neat Burger is the first of its kind – the planet-friendly, plant-based, full-flavoured game-changer the world has been waiting for. The world’s first plant-based sustainable burger chain, Neat Burger offers a menu that appeals to not only those who follow plant-based diets, but anyone, meat-eaters included, who wants to eat delicious meat-free dishes that are more sustainable, healthier and ethical. The brand is backed by seven-time FIA Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton, in collaboration with hospitality organisation The Cream Group and investors, as well as UNICEF Ambassador and early backer of Beyond Meat Tommaso Chiabra. Neat Burger opened its first site in September 2019, just off Regent Street in London, and its second and third dine-in outlets at Camden Market and Soho in 2020. Plans for global expansion across Europe, the US and Middle East are already in place for 2021 and beyond.
About EY: Official Innovation Partner
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, strategy, transaction and consulting services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
This news release has been issued by EYGM Limited, a member of the global EY organization that also does not provide any services to clients.
About INTERprotección: Official Insurance Broker
INTERprotección is composed of a group of Mexican insurance, reinsurance and surety bond brokerage companies. With global presence and recognition, INTERprotección has more than 40 years of experience in management and comprehensive risk consulting in the Mexican market. Its business model is focused on bringing the client to the forefront and offering them the best service through innovative and disruptive products, more recently with its new brand inter.mx, its insurance digital platform that is transforming the insurtech game. Follow INTERprotección on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter @INTERproteccion
About XITE ENERGY:
XITE ENERGY was founded by Oliver Bennett and Megan Jones straight out of university two years ago. XITE brings disruptive innovation within the beverage industry; a new frontier to energy drinks. Designed around functionality but with no limitations on health, XITE ENERGY uses functional ingredients that are fused together to provide a cognitive boost, combining natural flavours, natural caffeine and zero sugar.
