Italian football star Gigi Buffon sails with ORACLE TEAM USA
by Collette O’Neill 15 May 2012 15:30 BST
14 May 2012
PUMA sponsored athlete and Italian football great Gigi Buffon swapped his football boots for waterproofs in a meet-up with the ORACLE TEAM USA Skipper James Spithill and his crew, three days ahead of the 34th America's Cup World Series regatta taking place in Venice.
The footballer was treated to a rare behind-the-scenes tour of the ORACLE TEAM USA AC45 catamaran, one of the most technically advanced sail boats on the water today. Buffon honored ORACLE TEAM USA with the Italia Official Home shirt that the Azzurri will wear in a month's time at the UEFA Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.
Venice marks the fifth leg of the 2011/12 America's Cup World Series, with the inaugural season decided at ACWS-Newport (Rhode Island) 26 June -1 July. A second series builds interest towards the summer of racing in San Francisco in 2013, culminating the America's Cup Finals starting 7 September.
ORACLE TEAM USA are the defending champions, having clinched the title in the 33rd America's Cup. Racing in Venice begins on Thursday, 17 May and runs through to Sunday, 20 May. Spectators can view the race from the big screens at the Arsenale, or from the banks of the Canal Grande. They will also be able to buy their Official 34th America's Cup & ORACLE TEAM USA replica clothing at PUMA's Container Store within the Race Village.
In August of 2011, global sportlifestyle brand PUMA became the Official Sportswear and Technical Supplier for ORACLE TEAM USA. PUMA provides technical performance wear as well as training apparel and footwear for the world-class sailing squad. PUMA's Sailing performance footwear, apparel and accessories have been created and tested by the world's best sailors, under the most extreme conditions. The gear is appropriate for all weather conditions, featuring various types of layering made from highly durable fabrics.
Additionally, PUMA produces the ORACLE TEAM USA replica fan wear available for purchase at the pop-store in the Venice Arsenale, as well as online. PUMA's ORACLE TEAM USA fan wear for men, women and children – including tees, polos and hooded tops –are made with sustainable materials and "Cotton made in Africa."
PUMA first entered the sailing category in 2008 when it developed a line of performance and lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories for the PUMA Ocean Racing entry which finished second in the 2008-09 around the world race. These early successes helped establish PUMA as a credible sailing brand and paved the way for the ORACLE TEAM USA partnership. PUMA is also the Official Sportswear Partner for the 34th America's Cup.