Richard Mille is backing an all-British crew as they attempt to break a sailing record in a cutting edge catamaran.
Team Richard Mille, managed by experience sailor Pete Cumming and competing in a GC32 Foiling Catamaran, will challenge the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race 2014 record set last year by Olympic medallist Sir Ben Ainslie.
Project Manager Pete Cumming said: “Having won line honours five years ago on an Extreme 40 and with Sir Ben setting such an impressive record on his AC45 last year, the Foiling GC32 was the obvious choice to race this year. With the support of Richard Mille, we will be training on the boat in Austria and the UK before the Round the Island Race, and hope that conditions are favourable on the day.”
The Swiss watch manufacturer, which creates cutting edge sports watches based on advanced materials, has recently focused on sailing as sponsor of the Voiles de St Barth Regatta, in the Caribbean, and by releasing its first regatta watch, the RM 60-01 Flyback Chronograph Regatta.
Cumming’s team will be aiming to beat Ainslie’s current record of 2:52:15 for sailing the 50 nautical miles around the Isle of Wight at the 83rd edition of the race, to be held on Saturday June 21. As many as 1,500 yachts will set off from the starting line at Cowes.
Peter Harrison, chief executive office of Richard Mille EMEA said: “It’s extremely exciting for us to be involved in what is considered to be the most technologically advanced and high performing sailing out there. The association with the Foiling GC32 confirms the brand’s strong connection with the world of sailing. Richard Mille pioneers and revolutionises high-end watchmaking by applying concepts and materials from disciplines as diverse as motorsport, aerospace and not least yacht racing. The Round the Isle race is arguably one of the best and most prestigious races in the calendar and it’s a perfect setting to demonstrate our nautical enthusiasm once more.“
The four crew members of the GC32 will wear a selection of Richard Mille watches during the attempt.
