Sperry® Becomes Official Footwear Supplier Of SoftBank Team Japan, Challenger For The 35th America's Cup
LEXINGTON, Mass., Feb. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sperry, the creator of the world's first boat shoe, proudly announces its new partnership with SoftBank Team Japan, challenger for the 35th America's Cup, the most prestigious and technologically demanding sailing competition in the world. Effective immediately, Sperry is the official footwear supplier for SoftBank Team Japan.
"The footwear requirements for a challenger team like SoftBank Team Japan include optimal speed, agility and grip, which makes for a really exciting design challenge," said Magnus Wedhammar, Senior Vice President of Product for Sperry. "In support of this partnership, we'll blend cutting edge innovation with our tradition of performance to create the perfect shoe that meets the unique demands of an America's Cup athlete."
Through the partnership, Sperry will collaborate with SoftBank Team Japan athletes to create custom footwear to wear during competition. These shoes will also be available to consumers as a special America's Cup Collection, to be released by Sperry later this year.
"When we're in the heat of training and competition, our footwear can have a critical impact on our performance," said Dean Barker, CEO and skipper for SoftBank Team Japan. "We've shared our needs with the designers at Sperry so they can develop a custom shoe that will help us perform at our best and navigate the unpredictable race elements of salt, wind and water. We're proud to partner with Sperry and thank them for their support."
To learn more about SoftBank Team Japan, visit softbank-team-japan.americascup.com or find them on Facebook.com/SoftBankTeamJapan.
ABOUT SPERRY
Sperry® was founded in 1935 by avid sailor, inventor and intrepid explorer Paul Sperry. From the invention of the world's first boat shoe to a full collection of sea-tested lifestyle products, Sperry offers the tools for life's adventures. Sperry is distributed around the world at independent and department stores in North America, Asia, Europe and Latin America, Sperry specialty retail stores and online. Sperry is a division of Wolverine World Wide, Inc. one of the world's leading marketers of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport, athletic, children's and uniform footwear and apparel. To learn more, visit Sperry.com or Facebook.com/Sperry. Sperry is also on Instagram @Sperry and Twitter @SperryTopsider.
ABOUT THE AMERICA'S CUP
The America's Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport, dating back to 1851, when the yacht America, after which the trophy is named, beat the best of the British fleet in a race around the Isle of Wight, U.K. The trophy won on that day was donated in trust through a Deed of Gift and has since become a symbol of immense achievement. It is perhaps the hardest trophy in sport to win. In its 165-year history, only four countries have managed to win the America's Cup. The America's Cup is currently held by the Golden Gate Yacht Club in San Francisco. To learn more visit AmericasCup.com.
ABOUT SOFTBANK TEAM JAPAN
SoftBank Team Japan, supported by SoftBank Corp. and Kansai Yacht Club, is the Japanese Challenger for the 35th America's Cup to be held in Bermuda in 2017. As the first Japanese flagged challenger since 2000, SoftBank Team Japan seeks to make history by becoming the first Japanese team to win the America's Cup. Led by winning America's Cup skipper Dean Barker along with veteran Japanese sailor Kazuhiko "Fuku" Sofuku, SoftBank Team Japan is made up of a multi-national collaboration of sailors, boat builders, and support crew from the professional sailing industry who share the passion for innovation and excellence.
SOURCE Sperry
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