ARGO Group renew

Insurance company continues its backing for the Bermuda Gold Cup

Mark E. Watson, President and CEO of Argo Group, and Jonathan Brewin, Commodore of The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, have announced that Argo Group has signed a new, two-year agreement to continue as title sponsor of the Argo Group Gold Cup. Argo Group International Holdings Ltd, an international underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products in niche areas of the property and casualty market, returns as title sponsor for the fifth consecutive year.

This year will mark the 62nd staging of match racing for the King Edward VII Gold Cup. The Cup was originally presented in 1907 by King Edward VII to Sherman Hoyt at the Jamestown Tri-centennial Regatta marking the commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the first permanent settlement in America.

Racing for the 2012 Argo Group Gold Cup will take place over 2-7 October. The spectator-friendly racing in Hamilton Harbour adjacent to the Royal Bermuda YC Marina is a spectacular attraction for tourists and Bermuda residents. The Argo Group Gold Cup stands as the 8th and penultimate stage of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour where the teams compete for the ISAF Match Racing World Championship.
In announcing Argo Group’s title sponsorship, Mark Watson said: “We are proud to renew our title sponsorship of the Argo Group Gold Cup. This race for the King Edward VII Gold Cup is one of most prestigious on the match race circuit and it’s also one of Bermuda’s great traditions.”

“The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club does an outstanding job organizing this event and our multi-year sponsorship will help them continue to attract some of the world’s best sailors while showcasing Bermuda as an ideal sailing venue.”

“An important component of the event and our sponsorship is the Family Festival of Sail,” continued Watson. “The festival provides an opportunity for young local people and families to experience the excitement of the sport and to celebrate our community.”

Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Commodore Brewin was pleased that this new agreement is to continue. “With this new two-year contract, we will be able to plan for the future. We also have a group of other sponsors on differing levels of sponsorship for differing return on investment benefits. They can count on the ongoing quality of our event and make their long range plans accordingly.

“The Royal Bermuda yacht Club has an excellent relationship with Mark Watson and Argo Group. We look forward to showcasing world-class match racing in our island paradise.”

“Nothing,” Brewin concluded, “could be better than Argo Group Gold Cup racing for the King Edward VII Gold Cup in Bermuda. We invite sailing fans from around the world to join us.”

The 24-team format of the Argo Group Gold Cup is unique on the Alpari World Match Racing Tour. Nine of the team slots are available for Tour’s Card Holders, three are selected from qualifying events - the Knickerbocker Cup and the Detroit Cup in the USA, and the Bermuda National Match Race Championship.

The remaining teams are selected by application and invitation from among the top international match racing sailors in the ISAF Match Race Rankings as well as up-and-coming sailors identified by the RBYC. By having 24 entrants, room is available for young competitors to take on the world’s best match racers.

Match racing for The King Edward VII Gold Cup is recognised as one of the classic events on the Alpari World Match Racing Tour. It has always been a highlight for sailors and attracts the top sailors in the International Sailing Federation and Alpari World Match Racing Tour rankings as well as top America’s Cup skippers. In 2008 Bermuda introduced sailing to all Bermudans with the first Family Festival of Sail. That will be bigger and better in its fifth year in 2012.