Swedish sporting lifestyle brand, Pelle P will remain the 'Official Clothing Partner' of the RC44 Class for a further three years, while 'Official Timekeeper' of the RC44 Championship Tour, HYT, commits to the relationship for an additional two years.

The RC44 Class places a premium on developing long-term relationships with all its teams and partners and highly values its association with Pelle P and HYT. RC44 Class Manager Bertrand Favre explained: "We are fortunate to have dedicated partners that share our passion for quality and recognise the RC44 Championship Tour as a key series on the international yacht racing circuit."

Aligned with the RC44 Class since the 2012 RC44 Sweden Cup in Marstrand, Pelle P is familiar with the world-class level of competition found within the RC44 fleet and technical demands of the innovative, high performance racing yachts, making the RC44 Championship Tour a perfect fit for the clothing brand.

Inspired by Swedish sailing legend Pelle Petterson, the brand's technical sailing clothing is designed in collaboration with Swedish America's Cup Challenger Artemis Racing, who currently has two teams competing on the RC44 Championship Tour.

Founder and designer of Pelle P, Cecilia Petterson, commented on extending the partnership until 2018: "The RC44 Class exemplifies the balanced lifestyle and upholds the spirit of competition promoted by Pelle P 'True Experience'. We have enjoyed such a positive relationship with the organisation over the past three years that it was an easy decision to continue the partnership."

Creators of exclusive hybrid mechanical timepieces for watch connoisseurs; HYT joined the RC44 Class at the beginning of this year. To celebrate, HYT launched the limited edition H1 Air RC44 at the Audi RC44 Porto Cervo Cup. Its first ever timepiece to be created as part of a partnership is the pinnacle of innovative engineering, high-tech materials and beautiful design.

HYT maximise the partnership, using the RC44 Championship Tour events to host journalists, hold annual meetings and showcase their unique hydro-mechanical watches that push the boundaries of watch innovation and design, harnessing the ancient technology of clepsydras, or water clocks, to overcome gravity and indicate the time with a liquid in a mechanical wristwatch.

The brand's first venture into the world of international yacht racing has thus far been a success and HYT will remain the 'Official Timekeeper' of the RC44 Championship Tour until 2017. HYT CEO Vincent Perriad said: "As the only wristwatch brand to ever produce pieces using liquid to tell time, the partnership with the RC44 Class has been a natural fit for HYT. Over the past year, a positive relationship has been founded and we are confident this will continue to flourish based on our shared passion for high performance and design."

Attracting the world's leading businessmen and top international sailors, the RC44 Class is especially proud to be partnered with these two exceptional brands as the RC44 Championship Tour continues to grow and move from strength to strength.

The 2016 RC44 Championship Tour kicks off with the RC44 Bermuda Cup from the 2-6 March with racing taking place on the beautiful blue waters of the Great Sound.