Corum sets sail with Energy Team for the America’s Cup
The brand is set to join France’s “AC45 Energy Team” as its Official Timekeeper – reinforcing its full support of the Peyron brothers’ drive to win the next America’s Cup.
Corum sets sail for San Francisco by sponsoring the AC45 Energy Team, the French crew featuring the Peyron brothers. The Energy Team is one of eight Challengers chasing the 34th America’s Cup, with their eyes on the silver trophy.
The atmosphere of trust and close cooperation between Corum and the Peyron brothers has enabled this dream to become a reality. This partnership is part of Corum’s overall sponsorship strategy, capitalising on its historical pedigree in the sailing world. A task force will be implemented in order to support the event and each of the regattas will be exploited to the fullest.
Antonio Calce – Corum CEO – says, “This could be seen as a culmination, for this major project builds on a strategy I unveiled and set in motion for many years now. To participate in the America’s Cup is every sailor’s dream and by definition, the dream of a brand like Corum, who has been a key player in the field since 1960. Given the unparalled expertise of the Peyron brothers, I can already see them contesting the 2013 America’s Cup in the San Francisco Bay on AC 72 multihulls. That would be a marvellous nod in the direction of our Golden Bridge Collection, which celebrates the famous Golden Gate Bridge.”
Backed by two prestigious partners watch brand Corum and the Yacht Club de France the Energy Team catamaran was launched in Cascais on 20 July, 2011. That day laid the foundation for a new stage in Corum’s history and reinforced its links to the exceptional sailing duo of the Peyron brothers. Supported by 160 Corum employees, with Bruno managing the project and Loïck at the helm, the French team has everything it needs to go for the America’s Cup World Series AC 45, due to begin on 6th August in Cascais (Portugal).
Loïck Peyron, Brand Ambassador and Energy Team skipper, says, “As Corum’s loyal ambassador, I am delighted to have the support of “my” watchmaking family as we launch our first bid for the America’s Cup. I know this is merely the start of a great relationship, based on our shared values of friendship respect and the quest for perfection…”
Bruno Peyron, CEO of Energy Team, says, “I am delighted that Energy Team will be working with Corum as official partners for this America’s Cup campaign. It takes courage to be the first to embark on such an adventure and the brand’s past relationship with top flight
sailing will certainly help to make this collaboration a fruitful and promising one. There are those who doubt and those who choose to provoke fate. Antonio Calce is one of the latter and the atmosphere of trust we are developing together is no doubt partially due to what binds us: a formidable desire to provoke fate, even when this involves taking risks. Corum’s support is essential at a time when we have to speed up the project’s economic construction and without any doubt this commitment will serve as a catalyst for other major partners and to get the construction of our first AC72 underway before the year is out.”
INFORMATION
The 34th America’s Cup comprises three main parts: the America’s Cup World Series, the Louis Vuitton Cup and the finals of the America’s Cup.
2011-2012 Programme of the America’s Cup World Series
Event 1: Cascais, Portugal, 6?14 August
Event 2: Plymouth, England, 10?18 September
Event 3: San Diego, USA, 12?20 November
+ 7 races in 2012 (dates to be released in October)
2013 Dates
Louis Vuitton Cup: 4 July to 1 September, 2013
America’s Cup: 7?22 September 2013
Headliners to meet in Cascais (Portugal) on August 6
James Spithill (AUS), helmsman, Racing Spithill
Terry Hutchinson (USA), helmsman, Artemis Racing
Dean Barker (NZL), skipper, Emirates Team New Zealand
Bertrand Pacé (FRA), skipper, Aleph
Mitch Booth (AUS), sports director, China Team
Loïck Peyron (FRA), skipper, Energy Team
Vassili Zbogar (SLO), helmsman, Green Comm Racing
Chris Draper (GBR), skipper, Team Korea
Torvar Mirsky (AUS), skipper, Venezia Challenge
Russell Coutts (NZL), helmsman, ORACLE Racing Coutts
AC45 Principal Dimensions
Hull length ? 13.45m (45 feet)
Maximum Beam ? 6.90m (22.6 feet)
Mast Height – 21.50m
Maximum Draft ? 2.70m
Displacement ? 1,400kg
Wing Area ? 85m2
Jib Area ? 48m2
Gennaker area 125 m2
Crew ? 5 people at 85 kgs per person
