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Alinghi, Defender of the 33rd America's Cup, announced Hublot, the Swiss luxury watchmaker, as a team sponsor for the 33rd America's Cup.

Alinghi president Ernesto Bertarelli and Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver held a joint presentation at the Alinghi base in Genoa, Italy, this afternoon to announce this union of Swiss expertise. The two brands share many common values, be it their constant pursuit of precision and excellence, or their approach to technology – developing it to a maximum for greater performance.

“I am often asked ‘what is more important the technology or the people?' and I always say that there is no technology without people and the partnership that we are announcing today symbolises exactly this sentiment. Welcoming Hublot – and more importantly Jean-Claude [Biver] – to the team as a Sponsor is a tribute to the fact that technology is about the people; those that understand what it means. I welcome them into the Alinghi family and onboard for the 33rd America's Cup,” said Ernesto Bertarelli of the alliance.

Hublot was created in 1980 and made an immediate impact on the art of watchmaking with its signature porthole-shaped watch case. It was the first Swiss watchmaker to fuse a precious material – gold – with rubber, a design that immediately caught the imagination of trend setters guaranteeing the company's significant success. Jean-Claude Biver took the helm in 2004 as CEO and has steered the luxury brand to new heights. He comments on a ‘fusion' of two leading Swiss brands: “We were lucky enough to admire Alinghi 5 as it was launched and again when it sailed for the very first time on Lake Geneva. It is a fabulous boat and a culmination of Swiss savoir-faire with 200 Swiss providers playing their part in the construction. Alinghi 5 merits its Swiss Made label. The Swiss people have showed enormous support and enthusiasm for the team and I am among them. I am especially proud that Hublot is the first brand to become one of the principal sponsors in this formidable adventure and I am delighted to be able to help Switzerland win the America's Cup again, this time against the Americans.”

Alinghi is currently training in Genoa, Italy, before transferring the team to Ras al-Khaimah, UAE, in the autumn to continue preparations towards the 33rd America's Cup which starts on the 8 February 2010.