Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, sponsored Starboard Productions to venture to Australia and produce three exclusive programmes on one of the most extraordinary international races in the world – the 62nd edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The programmes will be broadcast on the national television station, TVM, on 15, 22 and 29 March at 6.05pm.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Race is regarded as one of the toughest contests in the world of offshore yacht racing, with a reputation as a boat-breaking race that sweeps its fleet on many an occasion in a hard tough race-course. The race starts from Sydney Harbour and finishes in Hobart after 605nm of gruelling sailing.

Leading yachtsmen mostly from down under and also around the world test themselves in this formidable event.

“Starboard Productions ambition has always been to cover the Sydney Hobart Race, one of the leading ocean races in the world. Thanks to Emirates’ support; we have succeeded in capturing the excitement of this impressive event for our television viewers. This race contrasts almost evenly with the Rolex Middle Sea Race, another one with just 20nm longer,” said Teddie Borg, Director and Producer of Starboard Productions.

“During the race, the Maltese element was more than evident with the participation of co-helmsman Chris Ripard, who raced for the first time in Jazz, owned by Chris Bull,” said Borg.

“Australia is a major market for Emirates and Malta has a strong link with this continent. Many Maltese fly Emirates to our four destinations in Australia - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth – via Dubai, to visit their relatives or even for business,” said Paul Fleri Soler, Emirates Manager for Malta and Cyprus. “Emirates, one of the fastest growing international airlines and biggest sports sponsors in the world, has been on the front row in the sea sports and sailing world since 1987 with its first sponsorship of the Dubai UIM Power boat races and more recently with Emirates Team New Zealand since 2004.”

Emirates has an impressive global sports sponsorship portfolio including the sailing Emirates Team New Zealand, Arsenal Football Club, Arsenal’s home ground – the Emirates Stadium, Paris Saint Germain Football Club, Hamburg Football Club and as an Official Partner of FIFA.