Rolex and U.S. Sailing have signed a four-year agreement to continue to support U.S. Sailing’s programs. This is a welcome bit of support in difficult economic times. For all fans of sailing this sponsorship is to be applauded.
From the press release: US SAILING and Rolex Watch U.S.A. today announced a four-year sponsorship through the year 2012. The agreement between the two parties highlights Rolex’s continued support of US SAILING events and programs.
“Rolex is far more than a sponsor that lends its name to events,” said US SAILING Executive Director Charlie Leighton. “For over two decades, Rolex has been a working partner with US SAILING, helping us to highlight the rich traditions of our sport and its National Governing Body and create first-class events and programs. We are grateful for the company’s unwavering dedication to US SAILING.” 
A long-time official sponsor of the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics, Rolex has increased its collaboration by becoming a new Gold level partner of the team.
“Our partnership with Rolex has been a cornerstone of the support we provide for our athletes. By becoming a Gold level partner, Rolex will play an even bigger role in helping our athletes unlock potential as they train for the 2012 Games,” says Dean Brenner, the Chairman of the Olympic Sailing Program.
Rolex Watch U.S.A. also maintains title sponsorship of US SAILING’s biennial Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship, the annual US SAILING Rolex Miami OCR and Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards while continuing to sponsor US SAILING’s 11 U.S. Adult Championships and racing clinics associated with them.
“We view US SAILING’s role as absolutely critical in this country’s development of the sport,” said Allen Brill, president and CEO of Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. “While we sponsor many renowned offshore and grand-prix sailing events around the world, we also are able – through US SAILING – to encourage excellence in one-design, match racing and women’s events as well as support athletes training for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Rolex Watch U.S.A. first presented timepieces to America’s Cup defenders in 1958. In addition to its US SAILING commitments in 2009, the company will sponsor the Rolex Big Boat Series, Rolex Women’s Match and Osprey Cup, Rolex US-IRC National Championship, New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta presented by Rolex and Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex. Globally, Rolex sponsors over 20 prestigious yachting events each year, including the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, Rolex Farr 40 World Championship, Rolex Fastnet Race and Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING) is the national governing body for sailing. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the organization provides leadership for the sport of sailing in the United States. US SAILING offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the U.S. Sailing Team AlphaGraphics. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
