The America’s Cup is the world’s oldest international sporting trophy and the pinnacle of yacht racing. OMEGA has taken DMARGE along for the ride for AC37 to discover one of the longest-standing partnerships in sport, where OMEGA serves as the official timing partner and a major sponsor of the celebrated race.
We’re in Barcelona for the 37th edition of the America’s Cup, where Emirates Team New Zealand aims to make it three victories in a row.
Match racing in yachting has come a long way since the first America’s Cup race on 20 August 1851. Back then, it was known as the Hundred Guinea Cup, won by the Americans in a 100ft (33m) schooner. The American’s victory that day was immortalised and the race would later become known as the America’s Cup.
Fast forward to 2024, and the sport couldn’t be more different. Today’s boats are like Formula 1 racing machines, born from millions of dollars in R&D by some of the brightest minds in engineering and design.
This year’s boats, known as the AC75 design, are single-hull foilers capable of reaching speeds of around 50 knots (92 km/h) in the right conditions. Manned by a crew of six sailors, today’s racing is nothing short of spectacular, with these boats soaring in full flight. Previous America’s Cup designs saw countries pushing the rules to the limit, resulting in unique creations like the USA’s BMW Oracle Racing 90 trimaran from the 2010 race.
OMEGA joins as Official Timekeeper
OMEGA entered the sport in 1995 as the Official Timekeeper, marking the beginning of their successful relationship in the America’s Cup. Since then, OMEGA has been the official timekeeping partner of the America’s Cup in 2000, 2021, and now 2024.
Now in its fourth year, OMEGA’s partnership with Emirates Team New Zealand has been integral, not only in timekeeping but also in supporting the team’s pioneering use of foiling technology—allowing boats to ‘fly’ above the water at increased speeds.
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Sir Peter Blake, the late legendary New Zealand yachtsman, led the team in those early years, forging a close bond between OMEGA and Emirates Team New Zealand that culminated in iconic back-to-back victories. To honour New Zealand’s first successful America’s Cup challenge with Black Magic in 1995, OMEGA created the Seamaster Aqua Terra NZL-32, a unique take on the traditional regatta timepiece.
New Zealand not only won in 1995 but also successfully defended the America’s Cup against Italy in 2000, becoming the first country outside the United States to achieve consecutive victories in the event. With OMEGA’s timekeeping support, Emirates Team New Zealand claimed their first America’s Cup victory in 2000, defeating Italy’s Luna Rossa Challenge 5-0.
There is no second.
Queen Victoria
However, Emirates Team New Zealand lost the 2003 America’s Cup to Switzerland’s Alinghi and wouldn’t reclaim glory until 2017 after coming agonisingly close in 2014 against the United States in San Francisco. DMARGE had the privilege of catching up with the team in Auckland just before their victory in Bermuda, which you can watch here.
That year, OMEGA released the Seamaster Planet Ocean ‘ETNZ Deep Black’ collection, which remains one of my favourites. Since then, OMEGA has shifted its focus from the Planet Ocean collection to the Seamaster 300, made famous by James Bond in recent years. OMEGA’s partnership with Emirates Team New Zealand has only strengthened as the Kiwis have dominated the sport for nearly a decade.
Grant Dalton, Emirates Team New Zealand CEO
We caught up with Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton at the AC37 Club in Port Vell Marina in Barcelona, where he shared insights into the team’s journey to retain the America’s Cup. “I think it’s pretty unique in sport that a company like OMEGA has been with one organisation for so long,” says Dalton.
It’s clear Dalton is not only proud but also deeply appreciative of OMEGA’s long-standing support of both the team and the sport itself. In 2024, the America’s Cup transitioned to a free-to-air model to attract a larger global audience, with Grant hoping this year’s race will reach 1.5 billion viewers, according to Nielsen data.
When pressed about New Zealand’s chances of going three in a row, Grant was very blunt about their chances: “The one thing about the America’s Cup—you can’t buy time. You can buy everything else, but you can’t buy time. So, we get about six weeks more development before we’ve got to be at our fastest,” Dalton said.
“The French have gone home. Unfortunately, there’s a good essence with the French team, a real passion for what they were trying to do. But this is the America’s Cup, and as Queen Victoria was told by the boson in 1851, there is no second, and it’s a brutal game.”
Dalton even hinted he would like to see friendly rivals Australia re-enter the race, recalling how Australia was the first country to win the Cup from the Americans in 1983. It would become one of our greatest sporting achievements to this day. Who could forget Bob Hawke’s iconic statement, ‘Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum!‘.
However, mounting a challenge would require nearly $100 million of investment—perhaps Clive Palmer should step up rather than build his pointless Titanic 2 project. When asked about the possibility of adding more teams, Dalton hinted that the question wasn’t open-ended: “This city could only take one more team, and we’ve already had those discussions.”
OMEGA unveils the Seamaster Regatta
This week, OMEGA revealed one of its major 2024 releases: the OMEGA Seamaster Regatta. Possibly one of the brand’s most innovative racing watches, the 46mm professional-grade titanium timepiece boasts both analogue and digital displays. Launched to commemorate the 37th edition of the America’s Cup, it’s a must-see for yacht racing enthusiasts.
We were among the lucky few to get our hands on this stunning watch and other recent America’s Cup releases at the AC37 Club earlier today. It comes with either a blue or white rubber strap, and let me just say—the white strap is pure class.
Last year’s Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black Emirates Team New Zealand Edition, seen on Grant Dalton’s wrist, remains a personal favourite of mine with its sleek blacked-out design and turquoise accents. OMEGA’s partnership with Emirates Team New Zealand reflects both brands’ focus on sustainability and innovation in technology. Both brands are pushing boundaries in their respective fields, whether in high-precision watchmaking or sustainable yacht design.
Partners like OMEGA are hard to find in professional sport, especially the America’s Cup which is niche in comparison to the recent Paris 2024 Olympic Games. That said, OMEGA has dominated sports in 2024, and whether New Zealand wins or loses, OMEGA will hopefully continue its support of the sport in the future.
Who’s in the America’s Cup?
Emirates Team New Zealand vs. INEOS Brittania
Emirates Team New Zealand is now taking on INEO Brittania for America’s Cup glory. INEOS disposed of former runner-up Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in a tight battle but did not have it all to play for. Will Emirates Team New Zealand’s lack of water time effect their performance in the final? We will soon see.
Let’s go, Emirates Team New Zealand!
DMARGE flew to Barcelona as a guest of OMEGA. Read more about OMEGA’s partnership with the America’s Cup here.