World Sailing and Rolex form strategic partnership

by World Sailing on 9 Oct 2017 World Sailing, the world governing body of the sport, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Rolex, the leading name in prestige watches that includes watches engineered specifically for sailing.

Rolex has been the title sponsor of the Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards since 2001. As part of the new agreement, Rolex will continue this role, in addition to supporting World Sailing to a greater extent.

Rolex have a long running commitment to supporting sailing through their sponsorship of major events such as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the Rolex Fastnet Race, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Giraglia Rolex Cup, as well as the Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards.

Under the new agreement with World Sailing, Rolex will support World Sailing's vision and mission to grow and develop the sport at a grassroots level and work with World Sailing on sustainability initiatives.

'Rolex has a long and prestigious history of supporting sailing through their sponsorship of the Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards and major offshore sailing events,” commented World Sailing President Kim Andersen.

'Our new strategic partnership brings us closer to Rolex, creating synergies between World Sailing and Rolex titled sailing events.

'Rolex has been a valued and prestigious partner of World Sailing since 2001 and we are thrilled to expand on our relationship and advance our shared passion for the sport of sailing.”

As part of the agreement, Rolex will continue its title sponsorship of the Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards, which for 2017 will be held alongside the inaugural World Sailing Awards in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on 7 November.

The Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards are the highest honour of recognition male and female sailors can achieve. Only sailors who demonstrate unparalleled endurance, performance and accomplishment in sailing are nominated for the Award.

The men and women who win receive the unique marble and silver trophy depicting the globe, crowned with five silver spinnakers representing the continents, together with a Rolex timepiece.

Alongside the awarding of the Rolex World Sailor of the Year, the 2017 World Sailing Awards will also feature the presentation of the Beppe Croce Trophy and President's Development Trophy.