ROLEX AND YACHTING THE CROWN IN SAILING ROLEX AND YACHTING Over the past 60 years, Rolex has forged a privileged relationship with yachting out of a natural affinity with this dynamic nautical sport and its time-honoured values. Today Rolex is the committed partner of the most prestigious yacht clubs, institutions and regattas in the world, sharing the highest standards of excellence with the custodians of yachting’s finest spirit. From the very beginning in 1905, Rolex founder Rolex naturally became associated with activities racers and elite skippers. A dozen clubs now Hans Wilsdorf set out to make wristwatches that shared its excellence, precision and team anchor a series of partnerships which give Rolex that would suit the increasingly active and sport- spirit. The brand gravitated toward the elite world title sponsorship of about 15 major races in the ing lifestyles of the modern world. Nine years of yachting, forming a first alliance in the late Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Pacific basin. later, in 1914, Rolex brought the then unrivalled 1950s with the New York Yacht Club, founder of This circuit ranges from leading offshore clas- and observatory-certified precision of the marine the America’s Cup and a creative influence on sics, including the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht chronometer clock, a vital navigational instru- the sport of yachting and its rules. These include Race and the Rolex Fastnet Race – which test ment, to the wristwatch for the first time. By “One-Design” racing for fleets of virtually identical Corinthian (non-professional) and professional 1926, Rolex had invented the world’s first water- boats, which allows the skill of the crew to make crews to their limits – through the powerful proof wristwatch, the Oyster, and, in 1931, the all the difference. This prin ciple bred advanced action of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup on the latest first wristwatch self-winding system with a free regattas such as the highly competitive SailGP and majestic yachts, to the pageantry of the glamor- rotor, called the Perpetual. These patented innov- Rolex TP52 World Championship. ous Rolex Giraglia. ations and landmarks in watchmaking formed the foundations for today’s Oyster Perpetual YACHT CLUB TIES The seminal partnership with Rolex’s dedicated yachting time pieces, the Yacht-Master and Yacht- Master II. Rolex used the NYYC shaped Rolex’s involvement in the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master and the the world as a real-life proving ground for the sport. Yachting is steeped in tradition, nurtures Yacht-Master II, a regatta chronograph with an Oyster, demonstrating time and again its reli- a spirit of fair play and thrives on a congen- innovative mechanical countdown timer, are ability in the most extreme conditions, at sea, in ial atmosphere. Yet, racing is also fiercely imbued with the rich heritage and experience of the depths of the ocean, on land, in the air and competitive and technical, demanding mas- sailing’s elite, as well as the elegance, perform- on the tallest peaks. By being associated with so tery, split-second precision, re sili ence and the ance and innov ation of Rolex watchmaking. They many achievements, Rolex watches established finest teamwork. For six decades, Rolex has reward the very best in yachting competition and themselves as a trusted reference. Waterproof, harnessed the passion for yachting and its pop- symbolize the enduring bond between Rolex and robust and accur ate, Rolex Oyster Perpetual ularity by estab lishing deep-rooted ties with the maritime world. chronometers are uniquely suited to life at the influential yacht clubs across the globe, where helm. sailing enthusiasts rub shoulders with hard-core ROLEX YACHTING PRESS KIT ROLEX AND YACHTING 2 INTERACTIVE DOCUMENT 01 02 03 04 HERITAGE YACHT CLUBS AND ROLEX AND REGATTAS TESTIMONEES WATCHES GLOSSARY P04 P29 P38 P44 01 YACHT CLUBS AND REGATTAS P05 INTRODUCTION P06 WORLD MAP OF ROLEX PARTNERSHIPS P07 CLUBS AND REGATTAS 4 YACHT CLUBS AND REGATTAS Rolex’s involvement in yachting revolves around a privileged alliance with the very core of the sport: select yacht clubs that organize exceptional regattas and races, and its governing body. Through its partnerships with the prime movers organize such events have been the torchbearers behind the sport, Rolex has helped develop and of the sport for over a century. Each club is promote some of the world’s leading yachting defined by its unique location and tradition, events; events where owners and sailors are while sharing common values of profession- assured of fair competitive racing as well as alism and fair play, and nurturing camaraderie convivial social occasions ashore. Rolex re gattas and community. The keeping of time is a fun- form a natural calendar, allowing crews and damental element of yacht racing. Whether it is yachts to travel between them reassured that to determine the exact moment a race starts or the Rolex association is a seal of authenticity. the eventual winner under handicap or compen- It is a guarantee that both on and off the water sated time, the rotation of crew on a long race, the race or regatta will be organized with the the choreography of a particular man oeuvre, sail competitors’ best interests at heart. Whether choice or navigation, time runs through the sport. spanning 600 miles (about 1,000 kilometres) or The coveted prize at all Rolex yachting events is more offshore, or involving an intensely competi- a specially engraved Rolex timepiece; a symbol tive inshore race series, yachting competitions of success that marks out the winners as hav- are complex and rely upon meticulous prepar- ing accomplished something remarkable in their ation and attention to detail. The yacht clubs that chosen sport. ROLEX YACHTING PRESS KIT YACHT CLUBS AND REGATTAS 5 YACHT CLUB ROYAL OCEAN YACHT ITALIANO RACING CLUB CLUB DE Genoa London MONACO Rolex Fastnet Race Monte Carlo Rolex Giraglia NEW YORK ROYAL YACHT SOCIÉTÉ ST. FRANCIS YACHT CLUB SQUADRON NAUTIQUE DE New York / Newport YACHT CLUB Cowes SAINT-TROPEZ ROYAL MALTA San Francisco Rolex New York Saint-Tropez YACHT CLUB Rolex Big Boat Yacht Club Les Voiles Ta’ Xbiex Invitational Cup Series de Saint-Tropez Rolex Middle Sea Race ROYAL HONG KONG YACHT CLUB YACHT CLUB Hong Kong YACHT CLUB COSTA SMERALDA COSTA SMERALDA Porto Cervo Rolex China Sea Race Virgin Gorda Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean Rolex Swan Cup CRUISING YACHT CLUB YACHT CLUB ARGENTINO OF AUSTRALIA Buenos Aires Sydney Rolex Circuito Rolex Sydney Hobart Atlántico Sur Yacht Race THE ROLEX MAP OF CLUBS AND REGATTAS ROLEX YACHTING PRESS KIT YACHT CLUBS AND REGATTAS 6 CRUISING YACHT CLUB ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART YACHT RACE OF AUSTRALIA DISTANCE The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is one of the 628 nm (1,163 km) toughest tests of seamanship in the sport of sail- Sydney – Hobart, Tasmania ing. Run every year since 1945, its popularity is (Australia) immense: the challenging seas off southeastern Australia, the diverse fleet and the distinctive slot FOUNDED 1945 in the international sporting calendar between Christmas and New Year have fuelled the legend ROLEX of one of the world’s top offshore races. The PARTNERSHIP since 2002 race start on 26 December brings Australia to a standstill as hundreds of thousands of people DATE line the shores of Sydney harbour, or watch Annual, 26 December (Boxing from the water as well as live on television and Day) – 31 December over the internet. The Rolex Sydney Hobart FOUNDED 1944 LOCATED Rushcutters Bay, Sydney (Australia) MEMBERSHIP 2,945 Established in 1944, the CYCA was originally founded by a handful of adventurous cruising enthusiasts whose sailing ambitions lay beyond the confines of Sydney Harbour. The club’s des- tiny changed in 1945 when it asked British Navy Captain John Illingworth to speak to the mem- bers. During the evening Illingworth was invited to take part in a Christmas cruise to Hobart, more than 600 miles away on the island of Tasmania. “I will, if you make a race of it,” he replied. The eagerness of the response was typical of the bold spirit of the CYCA’s founding fathers. In this defining moment the legendary Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race was born. During the sub- sequent 70 years, the club used the platform formed by the race’s growing international recog- nition to build a global reputation for excellence in race management and safety at sea. ROLEX YACHTING PRESS KIT YACHT CLUBS AND REGATTAS 7 6,103 transcends sailing’s perceived boundaries. It “It’s not just a race. Sydney YACHTS attracts politicians, business leaders, sporting have started heroes and the cream of professional sailing tal- the race It’s really a human endeavour.” ent. And yet, true to its origins, the core of the fleet is still composed of Corinthian competitors SEAN LANGMAN, emblematic Rolex 1,033 YACHTS who value the challenge and endeavour above all Sydney Hobart participant have either retired or been else. Rolex has partnered this race since 2002. disqualified THE COURSE The 628-nautical mile Rolex Sydney RECORD BREAKING Hobart course takes the fleet down the THROUGH THE AGES New South Wales coast of the Tasman Sea and AUSTRALIA LDV COMANCHE AUS across the Bass Strait, down the east coast of 1 day 9hrs 15'24" 2017 Tasmania turning into Storm Bay for the final leg up the Derwent River to Hobart, Tasmania. For PERPETUAL LOYAL AUS Green Cape 1 day 13hrs 31'20" 2016 the fastest boats, the race typically takes two days, whereas most of the fleet can expect four WILD OATS XI AUS to five days at sea. Weather and sea conditions 1 day 18hrs 23'12" 2012 can vary dramatically and are often punishing.