RC44 SERIES PARTNERS WITH ICARUS SAILING MEDIA FOR TV PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF 2016 SERIES

Icarus Sailing Media, the leading watersports TV production and distribution company, has been awarded the contract for TV production and distribution of the RC44 Class 2016 Series. Taking in five series events around the world, coverage of the RC44 series will include high definition television from the event build-up and every race day. Storylines will engage with sports fans, telling the story of competing at the front-end of professional racing. Coverage will connect with the teams, find out what it takes to perform, and see first-hand the raw energy and focus required to compete in high performance yacht racing.

“It is a unique opportunity to partner with the RC44 Series, one of the world’s flagship sailing properties,” said Jason Georgaris, Icarus Sailing Media Chief Executive Officer, “and we are proud to be awarded this contract. This partnership further enhances our reputation and Icarus Sailing Media’s vision and passion for sailing is aligned with the RC44 Series. We are extremely excited about the collaboration and look forward to producing some memorable coverage and raising the profile of the series and teams.”

Icarus Sailing Media’s extensive distribution footprint will see content from the RC44 Series broadcast to more than 160 countries worldwide through TV news, dedicated sailing and sport TV series, via Icarus’ dedicated TV show Inside Sailing and available online.

“Icarus Sailing Media will give the RC44 Series unparalleled coverage and open our programming up to extensive distribution opportunities,” explained Bertrand Favre, RC44 Tour manager. “Icarus brings huge creativity and distribution value, and is at the forefront of delivering innovative sailing event coverage. This new partnership will inevitably transform and grow the profile of the RC44 series.”

In 2016, the RC44 fleet will again tour some of the world’s finest sailing waters, with series’ stops at five renowned venues. The season kicks off in Hamilton, Bermuda, home of the 35th America’s Cup, in March, before heading to Europe, where teams will descend on Sotogrande, Spain in May, Portsmouth, Great Britain in June, Cascais, Portugal in September, and the series finale, Valetta, Malta in November.

Numerous top sailing names compete in the RC44 Class, from America’s Cup legends to Olympic Champions, with the eight- person crew lists reading like a who’s who of the sport’s great achievers.