Russell Coutts’ catch: Rolex will be the official watch of the SailGp

We bet in the grin of Russell Coutts in making the announcement of this sponsorship: the SailGp, the F50 foil catamaran circuit devised by Larry Ellison and Russell Coutts, which will have its first stop in Sydney Feb. 15-16, will have as its official sponsor and watch of the event the brand Rolex. After the announcement of Panerai sponsoring the America’s Cup bidding farewell to vintage sailing (Read HERE), then comes news that is something of a response to the America’sCup announcement, for two events that will inevitably compete in part.

THE OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE SAILGP

SailGP has announced an exclusive long-term global partnership with Rolex that designates the Swiss watchmaker as Presenting Partner and Official Timepiece for the new sports championship that aims to redefine sailing. Rolex watches will be visible at all SailGP events and will be featured on each of the six F50 catamarans-the world’s fastest racing boat. Uniquely, exclusivity extends to all SailGP boats throughout the championship.

“We are delighted to partner with Rolex, which shares our passion for performance, precision, excellence and innovation,” said Russell Coutts, CEO of SailGP. “Rolex produces impeccable watches and has a long history with international sports dynamics. We are proud to join their extraordinary stable of partnerships with some of the world’s most iconic and long-standing brands.”

Rolex has a long tradition in sailing, including sponsorship of the World Sailor of the Year Award, an honor currently held by Marie Riou of the France SailGP Team, and previously won by Tom Slingsby (AUS, 2010) and Coutts (1995, 2003).

“SailGP marks an evolution in yachting and allows Rolex to further strengthen its 60-year relationship with the sport,” said Arnaud Boetsch, director of communications and image for Rolex. As a brand, we have always valued efforts and sports disciplines that combine the highest levels of technology with the most talented people.” SailGP fulfills this vision, while the art of foiling perfectly illustrates the sport’s constant desire to innovate and improve efficiency, goals that align with Rolex’s pursuit of perpetual excellence in all its activities. As an Official Watch, we are pleased to be associated with an event that demands precision, excellence and performance from sailors and their boats.”

The inaugural Season 1 event kicks off Feb. 15, when rival national teams from Australia, China, France, Great Britain, Japan and the United States will compete in Sydney Harbor with the world’s fastest and most technologically advanced racing boats. The annual championship then moves to San Francisco in May, New York in June and Cowes (UK) in August, before culminating in September in Marseille, France, with a million-dollar regatta.