Jaguar to back TeamOrigin

British car manufacturer sign up as part of their Academy of Sport program

Jaguar and TeamOrigin have entered into a partnership for a summer of sailing activities, the first being next week's 1851 Cup, being held during Cowes Week.

This new partnership forms part of Jaguar’s commitment to the best of British sport under the umbrella of the 'Jaguar Academy of Sport', which aims to recognise, celebrate and inspire the very best of British sporting talent and success. The partnership is further strengthened by the shared commitment of both organisations to strive for improved environmental performance, through TeamOrigin’s ‘Race for Change’ strategy, and Jaguar’s advanced Lightweight Aluminium technology, which resulted in the recent win of the 2010 What? Car Green Award.

Sir Keith Mills, Team Principal of TeamOrigin, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jaguar as our partner. There is a superb fit and alignment of purpose between TeamOrigin and Jaguar. Jaguar is clearly one of the most revered and iconic British brands and, just as Jaguar is now taking on and beating the best in the automotive world, so our mission is to take on and beat the best in the world on the water. The fit is further enhanced through our shared commitment to improve our environmental performance.”

Geoff Cousins, Managing Director, Jaguar UK added, “To partner with TeamOrigin is a fantastic opportunity for Jaguar. We are looking forward to the first appearance this summer at the 1851 Cup event, an exciting competition, which will see Britain’s best sailing talent compete against the current holders of The America’s Cup. It’s a mouth-watering prospect and one we are proud to support. Sir Keith has a formidable reputation for success and he has set-up TeamOrigin with a single purpose in mind, to win the America’s Cup for Great Britain. This is a serious British Endeavour, which fits perfectly with the recently launched Jaguar Academy of Sport, which is all about investing in the future of British Sporting talent.”

Jaguar livery will appear on the TeamOrigin boat, both hulls and sails, competing against BMW Oracle Racing during Cowes Week which takes place over Tuesday 2 August until Friday 6 August. The spinnaker will feature a Jaguar leaper in Union Jack Motif, the symbol of the Jaguar Academy of Sport.

Denise Lewis, Patron of the Jaguar Academy of Sport, commented: "As a Patron of the Jaguar Academy of Sport I was excited to learn about another exciting venture by Jaguar, which is continuing its efforts to support the best of British sport. Jaguar is building on the Jaguar Academy of Sport and really showing its commitment to the success of British sporting athletes. I am looking forward to following the racing during Cowes week, Ben Ainslie and I were together at the Sydney Olympic games, where we both won gold, and I want to wish him and the team all the best for the race and look forward to hearing the result of the 1851 Cup event."

Ben Ainslie, Skipper and Helmsman of TeamOrigin added: “TeamOrigin's goal is to win the America’s Cup for Great Britain, to achieve this we need to engage the support of like minded partners. In Jaguar, we can see great synergies where they share our passion for sport and competition at the highest level.”