America’s Cup: Ainslie’s GB1 adds Richard Mille to sponsor roster
Britain’s America’s Cup challenger expanded its sponsorship portfolio overnight, adding timekeeper Richard Mille to its roster.
GB1, the British competitor in a competition with the world’s oldest international trophy, is led by Sir Ben Ainslie and will take part in the 38th America’s Cup next year in Naples.
The boats are out in Italy this week for a preliminary regatta, but will be without recent staple American Magic after the US boat pulled out of competing. A replacement US boat will compete.
“I was very excited when the prospect of this partnership first came to light, and it’s fantastic to now officially bring these two brands together,” Dylan Fletcher, skipper helm of GB1, said.
Richard Mille boss Peter Harrison added that the agreement “marks a natural extension of our involvement in the world of sailing, at the heart of one of sport’s oldest and most demanding disciplines”.
America’s Cup looming
Next year’s America’s Cup will be the first for Ainslie since his public spat with former backer, Ineos billionaire and Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The bitter High Court spat centres on the America’s Cup boat itself with both sides claiming rights to the vessel and its attached technology.
Richard Mille will join the likes of SunGod as sponsors of GB1, which is backed by the Christian Horner-linked Oakley Capital, but it is listed as the team’s only global partner.
Ainslie led a British challenger to its first final in 60 years during the last America’s Cup, in Barcelona, but lost 7-2 in the nine-race final against Emirates Team New Zealand.
“Sailing has always been a fantastic source of inspiration for us,” Richard Mille’s Amanda Mille said. “This new partnership is a natural continuation of our journey with dedicated watches development and regattas partnerships.
“It embodies the perfect combination of purity of line, performance and innovation that defines Richard Mille’s identity.”