Admiral's Cup Chronograph 48 Bol d'Or Mirabaud - Photo: Marc Ninghetto

CORUM links its name to the world’s most important regatta on an inland lake by becoming Presenting Sponsor of the Bol d’Or Mirabaud, which will commence on June 12. Reaffirming its commitment to sailing, CORUM is continuing its history and expanding its presence in the sailing sponsorship arena.

The Bol d’Or Mirabaud, currently in its 72nd year, is unlike any other regatta in the world. The legendary race is a place where sailing stars are mixed with non-professional sailors, and the event is the pride of the Lake Geneva region and delights sailing enthusiasts.

Organized for the first time in 1939, this large nautical festival has become one of the greatest classics of the international regatta calendar. Each year, nearly six hundred sailboats and champions from all over Europe meet at the starting line, in the company of more than 3,000 participants from all backgrounds, having their passion for sailing in common.

CORUM is very pleased to be associated with this major event. This partnership is completely consistent with existing partnerships and is in line with the brand’s primary goal which is to create long-term value.

The Bol d’Or has indeed become one of the favorite venues of the Okalys-Corum team who won the regatta twice in the past five years (in 2005 and 2007). It is also to be noted that at the time of these two victories, the skipper alongside Nicolas Grange was Loïck Peyron, CORUM’s new ambassador. With his breathtaking list of accomplishments, the Frenchman, who is regarded as one of the greatest sailors, keeps a unique memory of his past participation in this regatta: « To win the lake’s most popular regatta is quite an achievement. Before I used to follow it from a distance, but in 2005 when we won it for the first time, Nicolas Grange presented us with a small replica of the highly coveted trophy. It still takes pride of place on my desk.»

This new partnership is strengthening the brand’s ties not only to amazing sailors such as Ben Ainslie and Loïck Peyron but also to prestigious sailing events such as the Grand Prix Corum, which this year will be the final race in the Challenge Julius Baer, taking place on September 17, 18 and 19.

In order to celebrate this partnership, CORUM will launch a limited edition “Admiral’s Cup Chronograph 48 Bol d’Or Mirabaud 2010 “ of 35 pieces. The special edition of the brand’s iconic model famous for its dodecagonal bezel and a dial decorated with nautical pennants, will play with the colors of the regatta which are Blue and Gold. The model will symbolize the partnership by becoming the official watch of the Bol d’Or Mirabaud and one of these limited edition timepieces will be presented to the winning team of the Bol d’Or and the Bol de Vermeil.

Michel Glaus, Antonio Calce and Antonio Palma Photo: Marc Ninghetto

CORUM CEO Antonio Calce said:
« The rebirth of the CORUM brand, which has expressed itself by returning to its roots, has naturally brought us to support the sailing world to which we have always had a strong connection. I am proud to associate CORUM with the historical regatta of the Bol d’Or. Today we build our future in continuity as in 1994, the Corum boat that participated in the 56th edition of the Bol d’Or won the monohull class competition and still holds the record in this category (Bol d’Or Vermeil). We therefore are looking forward to participating in this great adventure of which values cherished by CORUM, such as authenticity and passion, are also the key words of the event. »

Managing Partner and Member of the Executive Committee of Mirabaud, Antonio Palma, added:
« Every year we look forward to the unique event that is the Bol d’Or Mirabaud. At the 72nd regatta, we are pleased to welcome CORUM by our side as presenting sponsor. We anticipate that the future of this collaboration will bring great rewards to all parties during one of the most important sporting events in Geneva. »

Bol d’Or Mirabaud Organization Committee President, Michel Glaus, said:
« As the world’s most important regatta on an inland lake, the Bol d’Or has always been able to count on very prestigious partners. The 2010 regatta will not be an exception as the Bol d’Or Mirabaud is pleased to welcome CORUM as the new “presenting sponsor”, alongside our title sponsor, Mirabaud private bank. We look forward to our future collaboration with this renowned watchmaking company, long known for its strong identification with the world of international sailing.»

While passion, determination and innovation are associated with CORUM’s image today, it is mainly shared values that are at the heart of this partnership. The magnificent adventure will take place June 11-13, 2010.

CORUM

Over the past few years, CORUM has undergone a complete transformation that has enabled it to achieve a perfect match between the products and the demands for quality and creativity that are the very foundations of its credibility. Its firmly upscale move is a logical result of the brand’s efforts to recapture its historical standing while significantly reinforcing its horological substance. CORUM’s substantial investments have led to the integration of watchmaking skills, the development of production tools, the enhancement of human resources and the promotion of staff training. The result is a brand once again entirely in tune with its genetic heritage.

Positioned as an exclusive brand, CORUM offers high-quality watch collections featuring innovative and distinctive design, and equipped with sophisticated mechanical movements. Its 150 current models, spread between four key pillars – Admiral’s Cup, Romvlvs, Corum Bridges and Artisans – enjoy a legitimacy rooted in the brand history. The full set of collections comprises models at prices ranging from 5,000 to 1 million Swiss francs and giving pride of place to precious metals and horological complications.

In 1960, the first interpretation of the Admiral’s Cup model paved the way for CORUM’s success. This model remains thanks to its history, which is inextricably bound up with major sailing competitions and prestigious sailors, as well as for its inimitable esthetic based on a twelve-sided case and a dial set off by twelve nautical pennants. These are its distinctive and unmistakable identifying characteristics.

THE BOL D’OR MIRABAUD

The racecourse is as simple as it can get: Genève – Le Bouveret – Genève. There is only one mark on the course, halfway through the race (at Le Bouveret).

The real time winner of the Genève-Le Bouveret-Genève race wins the Bol d’Or Challenge, which is presented each year, however if it is won three times in the previous five years by the same owner, it can be kept by the winner indefinitely. Only three boats have achieved this in over 70 years of the regatta: the Marie-José II owned by Horace Julliard (1961, 1962 and 1963), the Altaïr IX owned by Philippe Stern (1980, 1982 and 1984) and Ernesto Bertarelli’s Alinghi (1997, 2000 and 2001).

The Bol de Vermeil Trophy rewards exclusively the first monohull to cross the finishing line. As for the Bol d’Or Challenge, it has to be won three times in five years to be awarded indefinitely.