Emirates airline has renewed its title sponsorship of Team New Zealand for the 35th America’s Cup, which will conclude in June 2017.
The Dubai-based carrier has been Team New Zealand’s main sponsor in the sailing showpiece since 2004.
Emirates president, Sir Tim Clark, said: “There is also no doubt that our continued support is reflective of the success the team has been in allowing us to get closer to our loyal and potential customers in New Zealand and many other countries and in building awareness of Emirates as a leading global brand.
“Our investment in Team New Zealand is one of the reasons Emirates has continued to soar in brand recognition, holding the top brand value among all airlines and now being inside the top 200 companies globally on brand value.”
Competition in the next America’s Cup begins in July this year, with the first event of the America’s Cup World Series, in Portsmouth, England. There will be America’s Cup World Series events in 2015-16 with AC45 catamarans, and the America’s Cup Qualifiers, Playoffs and Finals in a new AC class catamaran will be held in 2017.
The final races take place in Bermuda, where Team New Zealand will hope to atone for their dramatic defeat to Oracle Team USA at San Francisco in 2013. Emirates’ renewed backing comes as a boost for the team, which has been in danger of losing government funding after America's Cup organisers withdrew a qualifying regatta from Auckland.
Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton said: “We have made considerable progress because the Emirates Team New Zealand brand is an international leader, well recognised in the sport. Emirates airline has been with the team since 2004 and their decision to stay with us is important. We are fortunate to have such loyal and committed sponsors.”