Bullitt Group Backs Race Circuit for Gravity-Defying Yachts

READING, England, March 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Bullitt Group has agreed a two-year title sponsorship deal (over 2015-6) with the GC32 Racing Tour - a European yacht racing circuit, sailed in state of the art foiling catamarans.

The GC32s were inspired by the last running of yacht racing's pinnacle event, the America's Cup. This was last contested in AC72 catamarans which use hydrofoil technology to literally fly around the race course, both hulls often more than a metre above the water.

This gravity-defying sailing represents the cutting edge of yacht design and makes the GC32 one of the world's fastest one design racing yachts, capable of speeds of 35+ knots.

In 2015, the Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour will comprise five events visiting Austria, UK, Germany, Italy and France. Its competitors range from America's Cup sailors, World Champions and Olympians to keen amateurs, all hungry to experience the thrill of racing these flying boats.  

Bullitt Group is no stranger to sailing sponsorship. In July 2014 under its Cat Phones brand, the company sponsored Conrad Humphreys' Class 40 with the aim of engaging with sailing and outdoor sports enthusiasts via the sport. Prior to Bullitt, both Colin Batt and Dave Floyd, two of Bullitt Group's co-founders, were with Motorola, which sponsored Humphreys' campaigns in the Vendée Globe singlehanded handed non-stop round the world race and the Extreme Sailing Series.

Bullitt Group designs, manufactures, markets and sells consumer electronic devices in partnership with global brands. It is the worldwide licensee of Caterpillar Inc. for 'rugged' mobile devices and accessories, Kodak for easy-to-use smartphones and connected devices and Ministry of Sound and Ted Baker for audio products.

Dave Floyd, Co-CEO Bullitt Group explained the sponsorship: "GC32 foiling catamarans are the exciting innovation in sailing and we want to be involved in this new tour from the start to help influence the way the sport is going, exactly as we have within the mobile and audio industries for the brands we work with. The races will be the perfect platform to showcase our devices in fantastic European locations throughout the summer and of course we get to be part of the action."

GC32 Class Association President, former Olympic Star sailor Flavio Marazzi greeted Bullitt Group: "We delighted to welcome Bullitt Group as sponsor of the GC32 Racing Tour and we looking forward to our building a strong relationship together. Getting involved with the GC32 Racing Tour right from the outset demonstrates what a forward thinking company Bullitt Group is. Bullitt Group is clearly an innovative company and bringing big name brands to our sport can only be positive."

More information at http://www.gc32racing.com

Notes to Editors

About Bullitt Group

Founded in 2009 by Colin Batt, David Floyd and Richard Wharton, the Bullitt Group designs, manufactures, markets and sells consumer electronic devices in partnership with global brands. It is the worldwide licensee of Caterpillar Inc. for 'rugged' mobile devices and accessories, Kodak for easy-to-use smartphones and connected devices and Ministry of Sound and Ted Baker for audio products. Based in Reading, UK, Bullitt's products are sold in more than 60 countries and the company has a presence in key markets across the globe including Taiwan, Taipei, the UK and the USA.  

Bullitt Group has a simple yet clever business model. It works with well-established, global brands to develop, manufacture and sell much-needed products to under-served market areas. Understanding and applying the DNA of those brands is fundamental to Bullitt's approach. The relationship between Bullitt and each brand is built on a deep trust and a strong desire by both parties to remain true to the brand values.

About the GC32 Racing Tour

The GC32 is a 10m long (12m including bowsprit) by 6m wide catamaran that is fitted with foils, that make the boat 'fly' through the water, much the same as a plane flies through air - the very latest in high performance sailing yacht design. It is this that makes the GC32 the world's fastest one design race boat of its size, capable of speeds well in excess of 30 knots (its top recorded speed to date is 37.9 knots).

The GC32's foiling technology is based on that used by the AC72 catamarans during the 2013 America's Cup in San Francisco, but it has been scaled down and simplified. This enables professional sailors and private owners to experience the cutting edge of yacht racing in a much more cost-effective manner but still with 100% of the thrill.

GC32 Racing Tour 2015

27-31 May: Austria Cup - Lake Traunsee, Austria
24-27 June: Cowes Cup - Cowes, UK
29 July-2 August: Kiel, Germany
27-30 August: Rome Cup - Fiumicino, Rome, Italy
30 September-3 October: Marseille One Design - Marseille, France