Omega back match race team

Dean Barker is chosen skipper of Omega Match Racing Team

Swiss watch manufacturer Omega have announced their backing of the Omega Match Racing Team, led by Team New Zealand helm Dean Barker. Barker is already an ambassador for Omega, alongside Ellen MacArthur and Cindy Crawford.

The Omega Match Racing Team is making its debut in Bermuda and its program in the future includes the Nippon Cup in Japan in November and the remaining events in the Swedish Match Tour.

In Bermuda Barker has in his crew Team New Zealand’s James Dagg and Tony Rae while unusually Britain’s Ben Ainslie is making his debut on the bow.

Barker says that once Team New Zealand sponsorship is in place they will also look at adding at least one Team New Zealand entry in the Swedish Match Tour.

Aside from his high profile role within Team New Zealand Barker has previously been World Match Race champion in 2000 and is a past winner of the Swedish Match Cup, the ACI Ronhill Cup 2001 and has twice been New Zealand match race champion. These are in addition to his World Youth Champion title in 1990.