Hamilton BERMUDA, March 13, 2012 -- Mark E. Watson, President and CEO of Argo Group, and Jonathan Brewin, Commodore of The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, are pleased to announce 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 from the 2nd to the 7th of 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 recognized 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.
Argo Group Gold Cup Media Contact:
Talbot Wilson, Talbot Wilson & Associates, Inc.
Tel: +1 (850)432-8170 Fax: +1 (850)432-8050
Mob: +1 (850)217-7138
Email: [email protected] SKYPE: talbotwilson
Argo Group Contact:
Lisa Scannell VP - Mkting & Communications
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +1 (617) 478 5206
Mobile: +1 (857) 205 9668
Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Contact:
Nicole Butterworth, Sailing Secretary
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (441) 295 2214 Ex 105
Fax:(441) 295 6361
WMRT Contact:
Audrey Lakai
Mobile: + 6 012 502 2206
Email: [email protected]
WMRT Press information, contact Capitalize:
Rupert Hains
Tel: +44 (0) 207 940 1700
Mobile: +44 (0) 7887 993 240
Email: [email protected]
About Argo Group
Working Together to Serve Specialty Markets
Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. (NasdaqGS: AGII), is an international provider of specialty property and casualty insurance, reinsurance and managed risk solutions. The companies that make up Argo Group share a firm commitment to working together with our independent agents and wholesale and retail brokerage partners to deliver innovative products for niche markets.
Argo Group clients and shareholders alike benefit from our deep understanding of the markets we serve, our ability to manage through all insurance cycles, our well developed and prudent risk management practices and controls, and our track record of growth and profitability. Through our operating companies, we offer a comprehensive line of high-quality products and services designed to meet the unique coverage and claims-handling needs of our clients in four business segments: Excess and Surplus Lines, Commercial Specialty, International Specialty and Syndicate 1200 at Lloyd's.
At Argo Group, we've built a company with a fundamental purpose of securing the future and a straightforward vision to achieve outstanding results realized together. Organization-wide, our strategy—easy to define and rewarding to deploy—is to grow hand-in-hand with our clients.
About Bermuda
Although Bermuda is an Atlantic island paradise in its own right, many people mistakenly believe Bermuda is part of the Caribbean. In fact, the island rests hundreds of miles north of the Bahamas, a mere 650 miles east of North Carolina. Flights from New York and other eastern US cities are less than two hours. From London, direct flights are about seven hours. All of Bermuda fits in a cozy 20.7 square miles surrounded by 75 miles of dramatic coastline. Bermuda is famous for hospitality and sparkling pink-sand beaches. Activities include racquet sports, dramatic golfing, spectacular spas, and cultural festivals in all seasons. Of course Bermuda is famous for sailing as a destination for ocean races from Marion, Newport, and Charleston, for Cruising rallies for other East Coast ports and as host to many national and international competitive events.
From chic international cuisine in posh dining rooms to conch stew and local Rockfish at a roadside café, we have a taste to please every palate and budget. While Bermudians do value island tranquility, we like to have a bit of fun, too. From swanky clubs to friendly neighborhood pubs, these after-hours establishments satisfy every thirst. Cocktail in hand and warm sea breeze at your back, set sail on one of our evening cruises along our famous coastline. For details on all the excitement and events Bermuda has to offer, call your travel agent or visit us at www.bermudatourism.com
About the Alpari World Match Racing Tour
The Alpari World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) is the leading professional sailing series featuring nine World Championship events across the globe, sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) with "Special Event" status.
The World Tour awards over US$1.75million in prize money with points awarded at each event culminating in the crowning of the "ISAF Match Racing World Champion". The prize fund includes a US$500,000 overall prize pool for the top nine teams in the Championship.
Events take place in identically supplied racing yachts to place the focus on team work and skill. Racing takes place close to the shore so that spectators and fans can follow the racing in a virtual on-the-water stadium.
Media and television highlights coverage reaches in excess of 183 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.wmrt.com
About Alpari
With a history dating back to 1998, the Alpari companies are among the world's fastest growing providers of online Forex trading services. The companies provide cutting edge technology, low-cost trading, comprehensive market research tools, advanced educational programes and world-class customer service.
The association of Alpari companies has offices in over 20 countries. Locations include London, New York, Tokyo, Shanghai, Dubai, Moscow, Mumbai and Frankfurt. Combined, the companies look after over 170,000 active trading accounts, generating monthly trading volumes in excess of USD210 billion and employ over 630 people worldwide.*
*May 2011.