Three decades on from when it all began, the Swiss brand’s loyalties remain firmly with the sailors from New Zealand.
At the 37th edition of the America’s Cup, OMEGA will be cheering on the sailors and support crew of Emirates Team New Zealand, as they give it their all to see off the challenger and retain the oldest trophy in international sport, the America’s Cup.
OMEGA’s association with the crew began 30 years ago for the 1995 America’s Cup, when it teamed up with legendary sailor Sir Peter Blake, then head of Team New Zealand.
For the brand famous for precision, it was another case of perfect timing. The kiwis claimed the cup that same year, and in three subsequent years: 2000, 2017, and 2021.
The partnership, which endures and continues to evolve, has inspired the design and launch of some of OMEGA’s most impressive timepieces, including the Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black ETNZ Edition, which blends the deepest black with the turquoise of the Emirates Team New Zealand logo.
OMEGA’s President and CEO, Mr. Raynald Aeschlimann, believes the partnership has a natural synergy. “Winning a competition like the America’s Cup requires passion, focus, determination, teamwork, and a willingness to embrace exciting new technologies. It’s a familiar list. We bring these same qualities to watchmaking and sports timekeeping. Best of all we share these values within the framework of a friendship.”
Sentiments mirrored by Grant Dalton, CEO of America’s Cup Events and Emirates Team New Zealand. “Every successful crew has an amazing support team behind it. OMEGA has been an integral part of the New Zealand team for many years, through great victories and tough challenges. It’s great to have them with us for this next adventure here in Barcelona as we try to make history winning the America’s Cup for an unprecedented 3rd time in a row.”
This year, the competing teams will race boats that literally fly. High-tech and high-speed AC75’s that can reach speeds of over 50 knots or 100km/h powered only by the wind.
OMEGA is proud to support Emirates Team New Zealand and wishes the crew all the best as they approach the extraordinary and exciting challenge ahead.
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