IWC NAMED OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER OF THE VOLVO OCEAN RACE

IWC Schaffhausen recently announce its partnership with Volvo Ocean Race as race sponsor and Official Timekeeper for the next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race starting in October 2011.

The Volvo Ocean Race is quite simply the “Everest” of sailing. The race is the ultimate mix of world class sporting competition, on-the-edge adventure and technology. It is a unique blend of onshore glamour, offshore drama and endurance and is, undeniably, the world’s premier ocean race and one of the most demanding team sporting events in the world. The Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 will start in the Spanish port of Alicante in October 2011 and finish in Galway, Ireland, in July 2012. During the nine months of the race, the teams will sail 39,270 nautical miles of the globe’s most treacherous seas.

“It’s my pleasure to welcome IWC Schaffhausen as the Official Timekeeper of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12,” said Mr. Knut Frostad, CEO Volvo Ocean Race. “IWC Schaffhausen will also sponsor the prestigious 24-hour record competition in the race. With its pioneering and innovative attitude, the celebrated watch brand IWC Schaffhausen is a perfect match for the Volvo Ocean Race.”

The partnership between IWC Schaffhausen and Volvo Ocean Race will provide another opportunity for the Swiss watch manufacturer to demonstrate its expertise in terms of engineering, technology and quality. Only a company able to set such high standards of precision, perfection and durability would have a chance of prevailing in arguably the toughest offshore race of them all. “IWC Schaffhausen and the Volvo Ocean Race share the same spirit: unique brands, known for inventiveness, technical excellence, outstanding craftsmanship, masculinity and adventure.

The partnership evolved naturally, and IWC is very proud to participate in this global sports event. We are looking forward to an exciting and successful Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12,” said Mr. Georges Kern, CEO IWC Schaffhausen, of his company’s commitment.

IWC Schaffhausen will present the 24-hour record prize per race leg, which will be awarded during the prize-giving ceremony at each host port. They will also award a special prize for the fastest team over 24 hours in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12. This prize will be presented at the end of the race in Galway, July 2012.

In the past two editions of the race, Volvo Open 70s have broken the world 24-hour monohull record. Ericsson 4, the overall winner of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09, sailed an impressive 596.6 nautical miles in one day. There is every chance that this achievement will be surpassed in the forthcoming race and every Volvo Ocean Race team will be striving to reach this goal. A prospect that is naturally very exciting for IWC. Volvo Ocean Race The next Volvo Ocean Race will start in the Spanish port of Alicante in the autumn of 2011 and finish in Galway, Ireland, during the summer of 2012, and will be the 11th in series. The course will include stopovers in Cape Town (South Africa), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Sanya (China), Auckland (New Zealand), Itajai (Brazil), Miami (USA), Lisbon (Portugal) and Lorient (France).

The first 31,250-nautical-mile race took place over 37 years ago (as the Whitbread Round the World Race 1973-74), testing the crews against some of the most ferocious elements that man can encounter. The design of the boat is regulated and the boat is built for speed.

For more information on the Volvo Ocean Race please visit www.volvooceanrace.com

IWC Schaffhausen With its clear focus on technology and engineering, IWC Schaffhausen has been producing watches and special timepieces of lasting value since 1868. The company has gained an international reputation based on a passion for innovative solutions and technical ingenuity. One of the world’s leading brands in the luxury watch segment, IWC crafts exquisite examples of Haute Horlogerie at its finest, combining supreme precision with exclusive design. IWC, as  the manufacturer of extraordinary watches that stand for lasting values, takes its commitment to the environment and sustainability very seriously.