When the America's Cup kicks off in Valencia, Spain, in 2007, Team New Zealand will once again be at the front of the pack. On 14 June, the President of Emirates Airlines, Tim Clark, presented the signed contract.
Skipper Dean Barker's team has thus succeeded in gaining a main sponsor for the start in the next America's Cup. Emirates Airlines is already a sponsor of several sports, including cricket, golf, rugby, hockey and football for Chelsea Football Club or as an official FIFA partner at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Now they have also been able to establish themselves in sailing. With this new commitment, the airline, which operates several daily flights to New Zealand, is taking part in the 153-year success story of the oldest sporting trophy. At the same time, the New Zealand government confirmed its financial contribution to the team, thus finally securing its participation in the world's biggest sailing race.
The crew from New Zealand, which has been particularly successful in recent years, can now get ready for the start after signing the sponsorship agreement. In future, the racers will compete under the name "Emirates Team New Zealand". Around 70 members are literally already in the boat, 26 active sailors have been confirmed, including Briton Ben Ainslie and American Kevin Hall. The crew's aim is to win back the Cup from the Swiss team Alinghi.
A second unveiling took place today (Tuesday 15 June). The new logo was presented on the official homepage of the America's Cup. The so-called "Blazing Cup" is intended to symbolise the passion, the high reputation of the sailing event and the fascination of the duel. To this end, the "Dragon Rouge" agency designed both a new "visual identity" on the Internet and, in future, on posters, as well as an exclusive logo consisting of two sailing yachts with flames rising from them. With this vivid symbolism, a further concrete step was taken towards Valencia 2007.
