Dubai, UAE - The Rockport Company (www.rockport.com) is proud to announce the Middle East launch of its ultimate sailing shoe: Hydromotion 2 at an event in Dubai. Rockport is the official footwear sponsor of the Mascalzone Latino Audi Team as they compete in the current 2010 Louis Vuitton Trophy. The Louis Vuitton Trophy is a series of four regatta races in various locations around the world that are held over the course of three years, and many view success in the race as a precursor to the America's Cup. The Mascalzone Latino Audi Team will be wearing Rockport's Hydromotion 2 boat shoe from the Spring 2011 collection as they sail around the world in this exciting competition.
The Louis Vuitton Trophy in Dubai is the forth in the scheduled series of regattas, and will be held in Dubai from the 12-27 November, 2010. Hosted by Dubai International Marine Club and sponsored by Emirates Airlines, the regatta will use loaned International America's Cup Class yachts, sailed by the finest sailors in the world.
Rockport is steeped in nautical tradition and history as a company that was founded in the New England seaside town of Rockport, MA, in 1971. Rockport first introduced boat shoes in 1989 by merging its heritage of walking shoe comfort technology with the classic styling of the American boat shoe. As a company that takes the wear-testing process seriously, Rockport has sponsored numerous global sailing competitions and teams: becoming the official footwear supplier for the prestigious Whitbread Round the World Race in 1994, being a sponsor of the Assa Abloy team in the 2001-2002 Volvo Ocean Race, and sponsoring the Telefonica team in the 2009-2010 Volvo Ocean Race.
Rockport's new Hydromotion 2 collection is an evolution of the Hydromotion collection that the company designed for the Telefonica sailing team for the 2009-2010 Volvo Ocean Race. The Hydromotion 2 is a true, technical boat shoe. In order to experience the reality of what a sailor endures during a trip, the design team went on their own sailing expedition. Through various wear-tests and prototypes, Rockport developed a performance boat shoe with the following qualities:
- An upper made of mesh (for breathability) and washable leathers (for water resistance)
- A superior Hydromotion™ water drainage and dispersal system in the footbed and the sole
- Shoelaces that are specially designed to stay tied
- A footbed that incorporates silicon bubbles to ensure that the shoe will stay on the foot, regardless of environmental conditions
- Rounded sole edges to allow for balance while the boat rocks back and forth
"We as a company have the ideal expertise when it comes to performance in the boat shoe category," said Michael Rupp, Rockport CEO and President. "We have a noted history of incorporating performance technology into classic shoe silhouettes--whether it's a boat shoe, a wingtip, or a hiking boot--and the Hydromotion 2 is a continuation of this tradition. We hope that the Mascalzone Latino Audi Team gains an extra edge as they compete in our shoes for the Louis Vuitton Trophy and beyond."
"The team is happy with the new Hydromotion 2. This light technical shoe with a great grip is so important, especially on the decks of the boats in the Louis Vuitton Trophy. Rockport knows what it means to be a technical boat shoe." Gavin Brady, skipper of Mascalzone Latino Audi Team.
The men's Hydromotion 2 boat shoe will be available in four color ways with a suggested retail price of AED 395 at Rockport stores in Dubai Mall, Dubai Festival City and all Stadium / Studio R stores in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, beginning March 2011. A special run of the Hydromotion 2 boat shoe that will be worn by the Mascalzone Latino Audi Team will be sold UAE, with an introduction date of November 2010.
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About Rockport
The Rockport Company, LLC, is a leading brand within the adidas Group corporate portfolio and one of the most recognized footwear brands in the United States. Rockport has a heritage of innovation and offers stylish, comfortable footwear for men and women worldwide. The Rockport Company, LLC, was established in the United States in 1971 and is headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts. The company currently distributes footwear to more than 55 markets worldwide. For more information, visit www.rockport.com.
About Mascalzone Latino Audi Team
Two of the best known names in the yachting world have joined forces, creating the Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, founded in 1993 with Vincenzo Onorato as chairman. The Mascalzone Latino Audi Team made its debut in the Louis Vuitton Trophy at Auckland achieving an impressive result contesting versus Emirates Team New Zealand in the final victory and a satisfactory fifth place in the Louis Vuitton Trophy at La Maddalena. The team selected for the Louis Vuitton Trophy includes high ranking individuals. Skipper and helmsman, Gavin Brady, has Morgan Larson by his side calling tactics. The afterguard comprises of Cameron Dunn, Steve Hayles and Italian Flavio Favini, who was a member of the Mascalzone team for the two past America's Cup campaigns.
© Press Release 2010
