In Hong Kong, ROLEX today celebrated the start of a long-term partnership with the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC), one of Asia's premier sailing and rowing clubs, which over its rich 150 year history has been a focal point for active and competitive oarsmen and sailors through to the present day.

The initial four-year partnership will feature ROLEX as the Official Timepiece for all of RHKYC's activities, with the China Sea Race and the San Fernando Race, the Club's biennial races to the Philippines, becoming part of ROLEX's distinguished portfolio of international offshore races.

ROLEX welcomes this partnership. Highly visible in the world of sailing for almost 50 years, ROLEX has successfully partnered with some of world's premier yacht clubs and sailing events around the world, including the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Rolex Fastnet Race, both considered the pinnacle of ocean racing. Yacht racing is a sport steeped in history and passion, and it is with this passion that ROLEX signifies its intent and commitment to the development of yacht racing in the Asia Pacific region.

Noting the commitment that ROLEX has shown to high-profile sailing events and the most prestigious yacht clubs around the world, RHKYC Commodore, Harald Dudok van Heel commented; “The Club is absolutely delighted to welcome ROLEX as a new partner in the Club's quest to widen participation in sailing and rowing. Aside from the cachet associated with such a high calibre international sailing sponsor, it is clear that the support for the offshore races will help the Club take its blue-water classics to a wider community and we very much look forward to working with ROLEX.”

The Rolex China Sea Race, an RORC Offshore Category 1 race, is 565 nautical miles long and will start in Hong Kong on Thursday, 20 March 2008 and finish in Subic Bay in the Philippines. The 480-nautical mile Rolex San Fernando Race will be held next in April 2009; the 2007 edition was the 30th anniversary of this popular offshore event.

Photos of the contract signing ceremony between Rolex and the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club are enclosed. High resolution photos can be downloaded from this site: www.rhkyc.org.hk/article.aspx?a=1134&c=2

About Rolex

More information available at: www.rolex.com.

About Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club

More information available at: www.rhkyc.org.hk.

For further information, please contact:

RHKYC
Betty Chan
PR & Communications Manager
Tel.:+852 2239 0312
Fax:+852 2838 5738 +852 2572 5399
Email: Betty.Chan@rhkyc.org.hk

On behalf of Rolex:
Key Partners Marketing Services Sàrl (KPMS)

Marc Schlüssel
President/Managing Director
Tel.: +41 32 724 2829
Fax: +41 32 724 2833
Email: marc@regattanews.com
Avenue Edouard-Dubois, 20 | 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland

www.kpms.com