SailGP
Rolex is the global Presenting Partner and exclusive Official Timepiece of the SailGP championship, a regatta circuit that pits the fastest sailing craft in the world against one another. It is raced across seas worldwide on F50 foiling catamarans that seem to fly over the water.
SailGP, a prestigious global championship that showcases the pinnacle of sailing talent and cutting-edge technology, encapsulates the essence of traditional sailing while boldly embracing a visionary future. Ten teams represent Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States. The skippers include four Rolex World Sailors of the Year – Sir Ben Ainslie (a four-time winner), Tom Slingsby and Peter Burling (two-time winners), and James Spithill. Season 5 kicked off in June 2023 at Chicago's Skyline Stadium on Lake Michigan, with the next stop in Los Angeles on July 22nd and 23rd. Three European events will follow in France, Italy, and Spain. Events in 2024 will shift to the United Arab Emirates before heading into the Southern Hemisphere to Sydney, Australia. From there, the league will head to New Zealand and Auckland in March. Bermuda, Canada, and New York follow, with the Season Four wrap-up to be held in San Francisco.
The sleek, cutting-edge F50 catamarans glide across the water with breathtaking agility, their hulls seemingly defying gravity. The vibrant sails surge, capturing the wind's energy as the boats gracefully maneuver through the course. Tension builds as the teams skillfully navigate tight turns, pushing the limits of speed and precision. Adrenaline pulses through the air as the boats skim the surface, creating a dramatic combination of spray and sail. Spectators are immersed in the electrifying atmosphere, captivated by the intense competition, strategic tactics, and heart-stopping moments that define a SailGP race, a thrilling spectacle on the water.
Innovation at the service of performance
Crews made up of some of the best sailors. Identical catamarans, with foils and a rigid wingsail, capable of reaching 50 knots, or nearly 100 km/h. Spectacular races that last 15 minutes at most. A season organized on the seas of five continents. Launched in 2019, the SailGP circuit has redefined the world of competitive sailing, utilizing innovative, continuously optimized catamarans. These flying yachts bear the colours of the countries they represent and embody the present and future of the sport.
The SailGP championship has also generated the Impact League, the Women’s Pathway programme and SailGP Inspire, initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability and diversity in the yachting world.
Sir Ben Ainslie – Rolex Testimonee The gold standard in regatta racing
With four gold medals and one silver, Sir Ben Ainslie achieved the outstanding feat of claiming a medal in the five consecutive Olympic Games he competed in.
The British sailor races for the Royal Yacht Squadron, which Rolex has partnered since the 1980s. And as skipper of the Great Britain team, he is also one of the leading lights of the SailGP circuit. Sir Ben Ainslie wears a Yacht-Master 42.
Hannah Mills – Rolex Testimonee A skipper committed to inclusion
With two gold medals and one silver, Hannah Mills is the most successful woman Olympic sailor of all time. Winner of the Rolex World Sailor of the Year award in 2016 and 2021, she holds the position of tactician in the Great Britain SailGP crew. As a SailGP ambassador for sustainable development, Mills is also highly committed to the inclusion of women in sailing. Hannah Mills wears a Yacht-Master 37.
Rolex and Yachting A partnership going the distance
Yacht clubs, renowned sailors, iconic offshore races and some of the most celebrated regattas. For more than 60 years, Rolex has forged strong relationships with the world of yachting. A prominent yacht racing partner, the brand shares the common pursuit of excellence and a passion for premium performance with custodians of the sport’s enduring spirit.
Embracing the spirit of Rolex's prestigious partnership with renowned yachting races across the globe, the Yacht-Master 42 evokes the romanticism of the open waters in a sleek and universally appealing design. “The SailGP circuit is a major milestone in the evolution of yachting,” says Ainsley. “Combining boats that use state-of-the-art technology with top-class athletes is widening the appeal of the sport as a whole. It is a real honor to have Rolex as a partner, given the history of the brand and its relationships with other top-level sporting events and sports people.”
Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 captures the key characteristics of the SailGP competition. It combines innovative technology, precision craftsmanship, and exceptional performance. Whether you’re an avid sailor, a passionate racing enthusiast, a dedicated watch collector, or captivated by exquisite timepieces, the titanium version of the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 stands as a highlight in Rolex's exceptional lineup. Crafted as a robust tool watch tailored explicitly for the demanding sport of yachting, this distinguished 2023 Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 introduces the use of titanium, an ideal material choice. This addition to the Rolex collection represents a near-weightless timepiece where form perfectly meets function, showcasing Rolex's mastery in technical design. Following the remarkable debut of the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge, the inclusion of titanium in another Rolex timepiece marks the inception of an exciting new development.
The seemingly simple modification of the case and bracelet material transforms the watch’s appearance. Drawing inspiration from the yachting world, this iconic timepiece seamlessly integrates high-tech materials to fulfill utilitarian purposes. It yields precise and rapid measurement of race time or the intervals between buoys. Weighing a mere 100 grams, the watch feels like it disappears on the wrist. However, make no mistake; the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 stands as a powerful modern tool watch, ready to conquer the vastness of the open sea.
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