Laufen Official Sponsor of Alinghi Red Bull Racing
February 2024
As a Swiss brand, LAUFEN is supporting the Alinghi Red Bull Racing Team in this year’s America’s Cup. The fiercely contested sailing trophy is considered the oldest sports trophy in the world and regularly attracts a global audience of millions.
With Alinghi Red Bull Racing, Switzerland returns to the America’s Cup after fifteen years, following its spectacular victories in 2003 and 2007. The team will also compete in the “Youth & Puig Women’s America’s Cup”.
The partnership with Alinghi Red Bull Racing marks LAUFEN’s first involvement in international elite sports. Michel Hodara, Alinghi Red Bull Racing co-general manager, is delighted about the collaboration: “In addition to the important common theme of ‘water’ and our Swiss roots, we also share an enthusiasm for innovation, design and perfection.”
Today, as it was 170 years ago, the America’s Cup continues to push the boundaries of what is feasible for humans and technology. The latest generation of high-tech racing boats is four times faster than the wind. They are lifted off the water by hydrofoils and reach speeds of up to 100 km/h in flight mode. To get the maximum performance out of the boats, the design department at Alinghi Red Bull Racing, works closely with Red Bull, the driving force in global sport.
A team spirit that also inspires Marc Viardot, Marketing and Design Director Roca Group: “Concentrating on a common goal is what makes the America’s Cup so fascinating for us. Working with the leaders in their disciplines also inspires us as a corporate group to achieve even higher levels of performance and innovations in our own industry.”
“Concentrating on a common goal is what makes the America’s Cup so fascinating for us. Working with the leaders in their disciplines also inspires us as a corporate group to achieve even higher levels of performance and innovations in our own industry.”
LAUFEN is launching a unique program of initiatives to share the fascination of high-performance sailing with our customers and partners. This includes events, an official LAUFEN crew outfit, and visits to the Alinghi Red Bull Racing team base in Barcelona, where the VIP bathroom is equipped with our products. LAUFEN’s parent company, the family-owned Roca Group, has been based in Barcelona for over 100 years and is also a partner of the sailing team.
All sailing images: © Alinghi Red Bull Racing / Red Bull Content Pool
(Mitja Kobal / Joerg Mitter / Olaf Pignataro / Samo Vidic)
About Alinghi Red Bull Racing
After over a decade away from the Cup, Alinghi, one of the most dynamic names in the history of the America’s Cup, is returning to battle for sailing’s highest honour. The consecutive-winning syndicate joins forces with Red Bull, the driving force in global sport, to create a new team: Alinghi Red Bull Racing.
The team sails under the flag of the Société Nautique de Genève and is accompanied by its main partner Swiss watch brand TUDOR and co-partner Prysmian Group. The official Swiss challenger will compete in the Selection Series for the 37th America’s Cup, in 2024 in Barcelona. The countdown has begun!
alinghiredbullracing.americascup.com
The America’s Cup Race Calendar:
22 – 25 August # Preliminary Regatta
29 August – 7 October # Louis Vuitton Cup
17 – 26 September # Youth America’s Cup
5 – 13 October # Puig Women’s America’s Cup
America’s Cup
The America’s Cup is the oldest sporting trophy in the world.
The legendary silver cup (also known as the Auld Mug) was first awarded in 1851. The New York Yacht Club held the trophy for 132 years – the longest winning streak in sport – before losing it in 1983 to Australia. Since then, the America’s Cup has only been won by teams from the United States, New Zealand and Switzerland. Switzerland is the only European country ever to have captured the trophy.
After the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games, the America’s Cup ranks third in terms of viewership.
At the 37th America’s Cup in 2024, five nations will compete against the current Defender Emirates Team New Zealand: In addition to the Swiss team, these are France, Italy, Great Britain and the USA. The boat for the 37th edition is the AC75, a 23 meters long foiling monohull that was used during the previous edition.
For the first time in history, a Women’s America’s Cup will be organised, alongside the third edition of the Youth America’s Cup, gathering the very best female and youth athletes from around the world onboard the AC40 One Design.
