Green light for Euro-Prix

As major sponsor comes on board

Europrix, a brand new world-class sailing event announced last autumn, has been given the go-ahead following the announcement that leading outdoor gear manufacturer Timberland are to sponsor the inaugural race next year.

Timberland Euro-prix - the first truly European Grand Prix Racing Series claim the organisers - will begin in Italy on 8 May 2004.

For the first time in the history of offshore racing, teams put forward by the National Sailing Federations will compete nation against nation over a seven week period. Each team will compete in a standard one design Euro-prix45 yacht (previously known as IC45s), making this a fair and open competition. The race will comprise seven offshore races from port to port, as well as in-port races during teh three day long stopovers. The event will conclude in Sweden on 21 June.

In each port, Timberland will organise community support events, in which Timberland staff, local retailers, the port authority and competitors will participate, emphasising the company's commitment to community involvement on a global basis. The race also provides opportunities for at least two members of each team to be recruited from youth sailing organisations, giving valuable experience to the next generation of sailing stars.

Timberland's European Vice President Richard O Rourke is excited about the project's potential: "Timberland Euro-prix provides the first truly pan-European opportunity for Timberland to sponsor an event which is genuinely right for our brand principles. It reinforces our marine credentials as a brand, and most importantly, reflects our commitment to fairness, honesty, integrity and teamwork. We were enormously pleased to find that race organisers Fast Track share these ideals and goals, making this a really integrated partnership."

Chief Executive and founder of event organisers Fast Track, Edward Leask, himself a former double Olympic yachtsman, believes that Timberland Euro-prix marks an important development in sailing: "Timberland Euro-prix will be one of sailing's best run and highest profile events and heralds an exciting new era in the sport. Fast Track identified an opportunity within sailing for an event of this nature and we believe the structure of this event will broaden the appeal of the sport".

Timberland will support the sponsorship of the event with a fully integrated pan-European communications programme, including advertising, a retail promotional activity programme and an intensive public relations campaign in each country, which will be run in conjunction with event organisers Fast Track.

The company will also design and launch a capsule Timberland Euro-prix apparel range which will be available in each ocean village as well as selected retail outlets. Additionally, to support a long-standing heritage in the boatshoe market, new innovations are expected in Spring 2004 to coincide with the Timberland Euro-prix across its whole range of marine footwear.

The overall investment in the sponsorship programme is expected to reach Euro 2.5 million; making it a significant step in Timberland's marketing activities for Spring 04.