Time keeper for Antarctica Cup

Norwegian company steps in

Antarctica Cup race management today announced the signing of an agreement with Amundsen Oslo the Norwegian watchmaker who will undertake time-keeping responsibilities for the inaugural Antarctica Cup International Yacht Race scheduled to start in December 2005.

Amundsen Oslo are designers and manufacturers of custom made precision polar timepieces designed to withstand the toughest conditions on earth. The company was founded by Jørgen Amundsen, a relative of the famous Antarctic and Arctic explorer Roald Amundsen.

Roald Amundsen (1872-1928), born near Oslo, Norway, is generally considered to be the greatest polar explorer of all time. He was the first man to reach the South Pole, on 14 December 1911, after a close race with the British expedition headed by Captain Robert F. Scott. Jørgen Amundsen himself is also an Arctic and Antarctic adventurer inspired by the achievements of his famous relative.

Amundsen Oslo with headquarters in Oslo, Norway, will be the official timekeepers for the inaugural Antarctica Cup International Yacht Race providing a unique modern day link with the continent that made the Amundsen name famous.

Amundsen Oslo will provide the skipper of each national team represented in the Antarctica Cup International Yacht Race with a custom made ‘Amundsen Oslo Antarctica Cup’ timepiece before the start of the race. Amundsen Oslo will also donate the ‘Roald Amundsen Trophy' to be presented by Jørgen Amundsen to the crew of the first boat to pass through the ‘Roald Amundsen Gate’ located at Longitude 148° 00 West along the Antarctica Cup Race course.

The inaugural 100 days Antarctica Cup Race Regatta will commence in December 2005 with the second Antarctica Cup Race Regatta starting from Cape Town South Africa in December 2007.

The Antarctica Cup International Yacht Race is a component of a ‘Grand Slam of Ocean Racing Series’ details of which are to be announced shortly.