Being out on the water is calming. The gentle waves lulling you to sleep. The sound of seagulls calling out as they fly by. And once you wake from your slumber, you are rejuvenated, and ready to do anything. Do what, you ask? Why, race with Rolex, of course. Or just witness the race yachts sail past.
The combinations of standards of technology and generations of history and boatloads of passion are obvious matches. Rolex helps the sport to grow at many levels, from supporting specific individuals to yacht club races to global regattas. The 2024 sailing season will be an excellent example of this connection and this pursuit.
Season 4 of SailGP continues this year. The high energy global championship will pull together national teams that will represent four countries. Some of the world’s top sailors will be competing, including Rolex Testimonees such as Hannah Mills, who wants to be the first female helm of an F50. Three-time championship title holder Tom Slingsby is gunning for his fourth win. CEO of Great Britain SailGP Team, Sir Ben Ainslie, will be participating as well. Six events for the season will wrap up in San Francisco in July, and season 5 starts four months later.
July will also see one of the most coveted grand pros titles in sailing. The Rolex TP52 World Championship, an annual event and hosted by the New York Yacht Club, will be held in Newport, Rhode Island. This is a different type of race, with 12 matched yachts, 52 foot monohulls, will be used by an international collection of sailors and teams for a week of inshore racing.
September turns the spotlight on Sardinia, where things get pretty exciting with the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup. Held by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), a place Rolex has been hanging out since the ’80s. Both events boast top-notch fleets and thrilling races against breathtaking views. Oh, and the Rolex Swan Cup hits a big milestone – celebrating 40 years of this awesome partnership between Rolex, Nautor Swan, and YCCS.
Wrapping up the 2024 calendar are two epic offshore races: the demanding Rolex Middle Sea Race in Malta come October, and the legendary Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race kicking off on December 26 and wrapping up on the 31st. These 600nm adventures draw over 100 crews of passionate sailors, ready to showcase their skills and grit on challenging courses that keep them at sea for days and nights.
The Key Yachting events for Rolex so far this year are:
KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix, 24–25 February 2024
ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, 23–24 March 2024
Rolex China Sea Race, 5–9 April 2024
Bermuda Sail Grand Prix, 4–5 May 2024
Canada Sail Grand Prix, 1–2 June 2024
Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix, 22–23 June 2024
Sail GP Season 4 Grand Final San Francisco, 13–14 July 2024
Rolex TP52 World Championship, 15–20 July 2024
Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, 8–14 September 2024
Rolex Swan Cup 15–21 September 2024
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, 27 September–6 October 2024
Rolex Middle Sea Race, 19–26 October 2024
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, 26–31 December 2024
The passions for yachting and sailing can be as diverse as can be, yet the need for technical ability, expert skill and true dedication are demanded at all levels. Rolex supports the vision by supporting the different types of passions.
