The HUGO BOSS IMOCA yacht. Image copyright Lloyd Images/Alex Thomson Racing/Hugo Boss
by Leslie Greenhalgh
HUGO BOSS Watches has announced their sponsorship of the IMOCA 60 Class Ocean Masters Manhattan Charity Race scheduled to take place May 29, 2014 in New York Harbor. This race begins the exciting build-up to the IMOCA Ocean Masters New York to Barcelona Race, starting from New York on June 1, 2014.
With guests and media onboard the five IMOCA 60 racing boats, their ten skippers will start the race at 12:00 noon EST from North Cove Marina, sailing around Governors Island, past the Statue of Liberty and back to the finish line. Each team will be racing for their charity of choice, to be declared at the morning’s welcome reception. HUGO BOSS Watches will make a $10,000 donation to the winning team’s selected charity, to be awarded that afternoon during the post-race awards ceremony.
HUGO BOSS has been involved with the IMOCA class for more than 12 years through their sponsorship of British skipper Alex Thomson. While team HUGO BOSS will again depart New York Harbor for the transatlantic race on June 1st, it will be under the guidance of Spanish sailor Pepe Ribes and his American co-skipper Ryan Breymaier. Because Alex Thomson’s wife is expecting their second child during the race, he will be unable to participate this year.
“This is a fabulous opportunity to celebrate the lead up to the inaugural IMOCA Ocean Masters New York to Barcelona Race,” commented Xavier Gauderlot, President of HUGO BOSS WatchesWe are very excited to sponsor this special event here in New York and to raise awareness for the winning team’s chosen charity with a contribution to their worthy cause.” . “or this special event here in New York and to raise awareness for the winning team’s chosen charity with a contribution to their worthy cause.”
Today's successful worldwide HUGO BOSS fashion group includes men's and women's clothing and accessories collections. Since entering into an exclusive license agreement with the brand in 2005, Movado Group has been manufacturing and distributing HUGO BOSS watches. Uniting the modern style of HUGO BOSS fashion with Movado Group's skill in watch-making has led to the creation of two distinct signature lines: sophisticated BOSS timepieces, and the newer, more accessible BOSS Orange watch collection.
“It is fantastic to have the support of Movado Group and HUGO BOSS Watches for what promises to be an incredible spectacle in New York Harbor”, said Peter Bayer, Managing Director of Open Sports Management. “These boats are majestic and the guests and visiting media will have the chance to experience the action for themselves – and to win a generous prize for the charity of their choice.” Open Sports Management (OSM) was set up by Sir Keith Mills in 2011 to manage and optimize the commercial and marketing rights of the IMOCA 60 Class and this event demonstrates their commitment to internationalizing the program and bringing onboard commercial partners.
To follow the race action, learn more about the teams and skippers, and to watch the daily highlight videos visit www.oceanmasters.com and sign-up to the ‘World of Ocean Masters’ to join this thrilling adventure.
About Ocean Masters World Championship
Ocean Masters is the World Championship series for the IMOCA class. The first Ocean Masters World Champion will be crowned in 2015 after the Barcelona World Race and a new World Champion will be recognized every two years after this. The commercial, marketing and event management rights of the Ocean Masters World Championships are managed by OSM.
www.oceanmasters.com
About IMOCA
Founded in 1991, the International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA) is the body that manages the 60ft monohulls that compete in its events such as the Vendée Globe. The association has more than 30 skipper members and many other stakeholders, including sponsors, team managers, designers, builders from all over the world.
www.imoca.org
