Rolex Watch U.S.A. Honored with SAIL’s Industry Award for Leadership

Atlantic City, N.J., January, 2003---Rolex Watch U.S.A. has been awarded SAIL Magazine’s Industry Award for Leadership. Created 10 years ago, the leadership award recognizes those who have shaped the course of the sailing industry for success and growth. In a break from tradition, however, SAIL chose this year to honor a company rather than an individual “because of Rolex’s unique commitment to sailing.” SAIL’s Deputy Editor Josh Adams presented the award to Rolex Watch U.S.A. representative Bill Sandberg at the Atlantic Sail Expo in Atlantic City, N.J.

“We honor Rolex Watch U.S.A for its commitment to the sport, for guiding thousands of sailors, for leading our industry in a good direction,” said Adams. “Since the company first presented timepieces to America’s Cup defenders in 1958, it has consistently endeavored to recognize and encourage excellence in every important arena of competitive sailing, including Olympic Games preparation, US SAILING championships, disabled sailing, and offshore, one-design and women’s events.”

Adams noted specifically Rolex’s sponsorship since 1980 of US SAILING’s Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtsman of the Year awards, considered the sport’s highest individual honors in sailing in the United States. He commended Rolex’s sponsorship of both the US Sailing Team and the Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship.

In addition, Rolex Watch U.S.A. sponsors the US Disabled Sailing Team, the Rolex Miami OCR and US SAILING’s annual adult championships. The company has an exclusive sponsorship relationship with the New York Yacht Club, which has resulted in the creation of the Rolex Transatlantic Challenge and the New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex.

Past recipients of SAIL Magazine’s Industry Award include Everett Pearson of TPI, Frank Butler of Catalina Yachts, the Johnstone Family of J Boats, Randy Repass of West Marine, brothers Peter and Olaf Harken of Harken Yacht Equipment, Warren Luhrs of Hunter Marine/Luhrs Marine Group, designer/inventor Garry Hoyt, Steve and Doris Colgate of Offshore Sailing School and Dave Stanton of American Sail. SAIL, owned by PRIMEDIA Inc., is the largest circulation sailing magazine in the world. PRIMEDIA is the new tradition in media. With 2001 sales from continuing businesses of $1.6 billion from a unique combination of traditional and new media properties, it is the leading targeted content and integrated marketing solutions company in both the consumer and business-to-business sectors.