ISAF Sailing World Cup - Aus Sailing Team & Nautica joint partnership

by Cora Zillich on 8 Dec 2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne 2014: The Australian Sailing Team (AST), in conjunction with Nautica®, are proud to announce their partnership with Melanoma Patients Australia (MPA), the non-profit organisation offering a national network of support and information to melanoma patients, their families, carers and friends.

The partnership will see 10% of sales from Nautica’s official AST-branded merchandise go toward the MPA, run by a community of patients for patients, in sharing knowledge about melanoma prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment.

An additional 10% of sales will go to the AST’s Road to Rio campaign and support the team in their quest to win gold medals in World Sailing, which will aid in raising further awareness and support for the MPA.

The members of the Australian Sailing Team will be ambassadors for MPA with the aim to raise Melanoma awareness around protection and early detection in the Sailing Community. As Performance Director Peter Conde points out the relationship is a ‘perfect fit’ and the cause very important for any sailor:

'Especially in sailing, with the hours we spend outdoors and on the water, skin cancer is an important topic we need to educate about. Raising the awareness around Melanoma certainly resonates in sailors, because out on the water the risk is always present. By supporting this cause we also want to help MPA reach out to the sailing community, so they can learn about the dangers of Melanoma on the water. It important that we as national sailing team representatives raise the awareness, are the role-models and get the messages out around the importance of protection and early detection. And we thank our sponsor Nautica for their support in raising this awareness as well as in achieving our goals in winning medals for Australia.'

AST’s ties with MPA are solidified by the relationship with MPA Founder Daniel Belcher, the brother of Olympic sailing champion Mathew Belcher, who is very excited about this new partnership:

'I'm thrilled that the Australian Sailing Team have joined as ambassadors for Melanoma Patients Australia', Mat Belcher said. 'The relationship between Nautica and the Australian Sailing Team is unique. Their support to MPA in donating proceeds of the Australian Sailing clothing fan range shows the depth of their support as well as our focus on common goals as we work towards Rio.'

'For me it is an important cause on a personal level as my brother and former crew mate Daniel was diagnosed with a melanoma. Since then, Daniel has been a driving force behind Melanoma Patients Australia, and with Will and I as proud ambassadors since its inception, to have the support of the rest of the Australian Sailing Team and our partner Nautica as well is very special. It is a great concept that the public will be able to support MPA and us by wearing our fan clothing range.'

'Anyone who has experienced melanoma or has had someone close to them affected will understand the devastation it can cause, early detection and protection is extremely important, particularly for those of us who spend many hours outdoors and on the water. It is important to raise the awareness and to educate those around us. 'If you're outdoors, think of your skin'!'

Brand Manager Damien La Caze said it was Nautica’s proud nautical heritage, along with the brand’s existing partnership with AST, which made it a significant decision to support the MPA.

'Nautica’s devotion to the water makes it our responsibility to educate not only members of the sailing community, but fellow Australians who share a love of the sea, in looking after their skin while exposed to the elements,' he said.
Chair of MPA Board, John Stubbings, added that the MPA was delighted to be in partnership with the Australian Sailing Team and Nautica.

'Australians love to sail and spend time on the water and in the sun. We want all Australians to enjoy this aspect of our culture but to remember the importance of protecting our skin against the sun. To have the Australian Sailing Team on board as our ambassadors will be a great asset to raise the awareness in the wider community as well as promoting our cause,' he said.

'The Board of MPA and our membership base sincerely thanks the Australian Sailing Team and Nautica for their support. We look forward to a long and successful partnership together and wish the Australian Sailing Team all the best on their road to Rio 2016.'

The announcement was made official at the recent Yachting Australia Awards to the support of AST crews, their families, and the extended sailing community and made public at the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Melbourne today.

The Australian Sailing Team and Squad are competing at the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Melbourne from 8-14 December Event website