News Release

Yanmar Co., Ltd. has become the Official Technical Partner of the 33rd AMERICA’S CUP Champions, ORACLE TEAM USA.

With ORACLE TEAM USA defending the 34th AMERICA’S CUP this September in San Francisco, California, Yanmar is providing engines and drive systems for the team's chase boats, an indispensible part of the race to the top spot, in this, the pinnacle of the world of ocean racing.

Yanmar has a wealth of experience in providing the world's marine and racing community with technologically sophisticated marine engines, drive systems, and products and service of unparalleled performance and quality.

With its intimate knowledge of the world's oceans, Yanmar's challenge, together with a team at the top of the sport in the world's most demanding high performance sailing race, the F1 of the ocean, seems like a natural evolution of the enviable reputation Yanmar has earned for the endurance and reliability of its engines in North America, Europe, and around the world. Yanmar will pursue the highest levels of technological excellence towards assisting the crew of ORACLE TEAM USA in their pursuit of victory in the 34th AMERICA’S CUP.

"We are very excited to partner with Yanmar for this 34th AMERICA’S CUP campaign," said ORACLE TEAM USA CEO Russell Coutts. "Yanmar is recognized worldwide for their tremendous expertise in marine engines and technology. It is their precision engineering that will power our chase boats, allowing us to perform the many critical functions required both throughout training and on race day. Yanmar provides a vital component to our program, and it is fantastic to have them onboard."

1. Background:

Yanmar is providing marine engines and drive systems to two ORACLE TEAM USA chase boats. The chase boats are not just limited to towing before and after the race. With the racing catamarans set to reach speeds in excess of 40 knots (74.1 km/h), the chase boats are also responsible for the important job of tracking the progress of the race, ready to provide immediate support for any eventuality.

By becoming ORACLE TEAM USA's Official Technical Partner, Yanmar has been entrusted with the enormous confidence placed in the speed, power and reliability of its engines by the team members who risk life and limb on the unpredictable waters of San Francisco, in this perilous race.

As one of the race team's partners, the Yanmar logo will be displayed on the rudders and wheel of the actual AC72 race boat as well as on the rudder and tiller of the AC45 AMERICA’S CUP World Series boats. In addition, crew members will call the chase boats by their new names: "Chase Boat YANMAR1" and "Chase Boat YANMAR2".

With the eyes of the world on this, the greatest race in international yachting, Yanmar is looking to increase its brand exposure through association with the world's top racing team, ORACLE TEAM USA, towards further building a premium brand.

4. The AMERICA’S CUP:

The AMERICA’S CUP is the world's premiere international yacht race where clubs from around the world compete to be the world's best. It's also a stage where each team challenges with innovative boat design and technology as well as advanced technical ability in fluid dynamics and meteorology, and cutting edge engine technology.

Beginning in 1851, the America's Cup predates the modern Olympic Games by 45 years, football's World Cup by 79 years and golf's Open Championship by 9 years, making the well-known trophy the oldest sporting prize still awarded in modern times.

5. ORACLE TEAM USA:

After taking the cup from previous holders, Swiss team Alinghi, at the 33rd AMERICA’S CUP held in Valencia, Spain in February 2010, Larry Ellison's ORACLE TEAM USA is now the defending champion at the 34th AMERICA’S CUP. Headed by team CEO Russell Coutts and team skipper James Spithill, ORACLE TEAM USA is comprised of the best of international sailing, design and construction technology along with a comprehensive support structure towards the defense of the 34th AMERICA’S CUP.

Oracle Team USA official homepage: http://oracle-team-usa.americascup.com/

An official joint press conference with ORACLE TEAM USA is scheduled for April 23, 2013, at their headquarters in San Francisco.

6. Logos:

Note: Information contained in News Releases is valid at the time of publication and may differ from the most recently available information.

7. Inquiries:

Public Relations Group,
General Affairs Dept., Yanmar Co., Ltd.
TEL:+81-6-6376-6212
FAX:+81-6-6372-2455
E-mail:koho@yanmar.co.jp