(l-r) Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen and Knut Frostad, CEO of Volvo Ocean Race. Image copyright Florian Kalotay.
by Sophie Luther
The Volvo Ocean Race is proud to announce IWC Schaffhausen, the International Watch Company, as race sponsor and Official Timekeeper for the next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race starting in October 2011.
"It is my pleasure to welcome IWC Schaffhausen as the Official Timekeeper of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12", said 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. “We are looking forward to an exciting and successful Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12”, said Georges Kern, CEO IWC Schaffhausen.
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. The lucky fastest crewmembers will all be awarded an exclusive IWC timepiece.
In the past two editions of the race, Volvo Open 70s have broken the 24-hour world 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.
Volvo Ocean Race
