Alinghi president Ernesto Bertarelli and Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver held a joint presentation at the Alinghi base in Genoa, Italy, yesterday afternoon to announce this union.

Bertarelli commented: “I am often asked ‘what is more important the technology or the people?’ and I always say that there is no technology without people and the partnership that we are announcing today symbolises exactly this sentiment. Welcoming Hublot – and more importantly Jean-Claude [Biver] – to the team as a Sponsor is a tribute to the fact that technology is about the people; those that understand what it means. I welcome them into the Alinghi family and onboard for the 33rd America’s Cup.”

Hublot was created in 1980 and made an immediate impact on watchmaking with its signature porthole-shaped watch case. It was the first Swiss watchmaker to fuse a precious material – gold – with rubber, a design that immediately caught people’s imagination.

Jean-Claude Biver took the helm in 2004 as CEO and has steered the luxury brand to new heights. He commented on a ‘fusion’ of two leading Swiss brands: “We were lucky enough to admire Alinghi 5 as it was launched and again when it sailed for the very first time on Lake Geneva. It is a fabulous boat and a culmination of Swiss savoir-faire with 200 Swiss providers playing their part in the construction?I am especially proud that Hublot is the first brand to become one of the principal sponsors in this formidable adventure and I am delighted to be able to help Switzerland win the America’s Cup again, this time against the Americans.”

Alinghi is currently training in Genoa, Italy, before transferring the team to Ras al-Khaimah, UAE, in the autumn to continue preparations for the 33rd America’s Cup which starts on the 8 February 2010.