Corum Cup & CBYRA Sponsorship

PRESS RELEASE --

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2008
CORUM CUP & CBYRA SPONSORSHIP

The Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association's (CBYRA) Junior High Point Regatta Series, a long-time annual summer racing tradition, has entered the realm of "Cup" racing. Venerable Swiss watch maker CORUM, has partnered with CBYRA, offering a minimum five-year sponsorship commitment.

Attached with the perpetual trophy, being designed personally by CORUM President Michael Wunderman, are multiple college scholarships for the Champions in the Laser Radial and 420’s classes, skipper and crew; total valued equaling $2000.00 for each sailor.

“CORUM’s links to sailing have become part of the fabric of the company,” according to Michael Wunderman, President of Corum USA. “We are very proud to be involved with CBYRA and to further our ‘Unlock and Conquer’ philosophy with the inauguration of the Corum Cup.”

“We could not imagine a better opportunity than having a company with the prestige of CORUM and its long history of yacht racing involvement; it brings a level of excitement and credibility that is usually associated with world-class events,” noted Bill O’Malley, CBYRA Junior Division Chairman. “Our junior sailors have a fantastic opportunity and will grow-up with a fond appreciation for CORUM.”

The CBYRA Junior High Point series is a complex scoring formula that takes into consideration the total points earned throughout the season’s racing, as compared to the total number of competitors beaten during the races.

More than 150 junior competitors, ages 10 to 18, representing approximately 70 CBYRA member yacht clubs from across the Mid-Atlantic Region will compete for the honor of having their names engraved as Champions on “The Corum Cup”. Approximately 50 regatta events form the annual series for junior sailors.

The Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association was founded in 1914 to promote fair sailboat racing competition, provide sailing opportunity to youth, and coordinate racing schedules and regattas on the Chesapeake Bay. It’s junior program is nationally recognized for its excellence.

Founded in 1955 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Corum quickly earned a worldwide reputation for its unique watch designs. In 1960 England’s Royal Ocean Racing Club agreed to the use of the Admiral’s Cup name for a new collection of these distinctive timepieces. That was the beginning of the company’s long association with sailing – one that led to Corum-sponsored yachts winning the prestigious Admiral’s Cup offshore racing championship in 1991. Sponsorship of other events and boats are ongoing, everything from club racing to the recent restoration of Sir Francis Chichester’s world girdling yacht Gipsy Moth IV and as the Official Timekeeper of the Swedish yacht Victory Challenge during the 32nd America’s Cup.

Photo Caption: Junior sailors from the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association (CBYRA) program practice their skills to get ready for the Corum Cup challenge.