Plain sailing for LMAX Exchange as yacht racing team wins another stage of the Clipper trans-global series

Sport sponsorship has become somewhat de rigeur among electronic trading firms and FX brokerages over recent years, with premier league football, cycling and motor racing being the preferred disciplines.

London-based multilateral trading facilty (MTF) for FX LMAX exchange’s choice of participation in the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race is as unorthodox as its trading technology, and following FinanceFeeds’ report a few weeks ago that LMAX Exchange had led the initial stages for a few days, and then won the first leg by reaching the West coast of Australia in first position, this victory has been repeated by the LMAX Exchange team having won the third leg of the event.

After twenty-two days, the team has completed the Wardan Whip, successfully navigating through the Roaring Forties, to complete the nearly 6,000-mile leg journey in pole position. Yet again, Team LMAX Exchange overcame 80-foot swells and gale force storms to arrive into the Albany port at 21:43 (GMT) on Sunday 22nd November.

David Mercer, CEO of LMAX Exchange commented

“After winning the race to Rio to claim the first leg, it is great to secure another victory. The team led the way for the majority of the race from Cape Town to Albany – to see them cross the line first is fantastic.”

“I am looking forward to joining the boat in Sydney and experiencing the determination and resilience of the crew that has resulted in their success in the race so far.”

Skipper Olivier Cardin detailed the experience so far

“There was a lot of different conditions ranging between the low and high pressure systems and the anticyclone at the end. The first day we had a big storm and managed to weather it well by being in an easterly position in the fleet, and took the lead at this point. We all expected storms and big waves, and it was always wet on deck and down below, but it was not as extreme as we thought it would be, so we were always able to push the boat hard.”

“We are a very tough team and we know we can take the lead quickly and hold onto it. We are always motivated when we see the schedules and know we have to push harder if others are gaining miles on us, and that keeps us going. We pushed pretty hard and others behind pushed too.”

“The team always responds to whatever conditions are thrown at us, and are able to change the sails quickly, which makes it a lot easier for me tactically.”

Mr. Mercer is scheduled to head to Sydney over the next few weeks in order to join the team for the Sydney to Hobart section of the yacht race.

An avid sportsman and adventurer himself, Mr. Mercer should conduct this with aplomb, having trekked to the North Pole in April this year where he set a Guinness World Record for the northernmost game of rugby ever played in order to raise funds for children’s charity Wooden Spoon.