Wenger Signs Title Sponsorship of Patagonian Expedition Race

December, 2008 - Orangeburg, NY - Wenger, Maker of the Genuine Swiss Army Knife and Precision Outdoor Equipment, has agreed to a three-year title sponsorship of the Patagonian Expedition Race - the adventure at the end of the world.

Beginning in 2009, the international event – which has become known as “the last wild race” – will now be called the ‘Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race’ and the official event logo will carry the Switzerland-based company’s famous Swiss flag emblem. Wenger will supply Swiss Army Knives and Swiss watches, along with footwear, tents and other camping equipment to the Patagonian Expedition Race. This new association will run through 2011 and is the first title sponsorship of the annual adventure race, which has grown in popularity and awareness since its inception in 2004.

Peter Hug, Chief Executive Office of Wenger SA, said, "We are delighted to extend our involvement in and support of the Patagonian Expedition Race. It's a unique human challenge conducted in an environment where preparedness is everything and precision multi-discipline tools for the job are vital exactly the principles on which our company was founded over 100 years ago."

Stjepan Pavicic, Patagonia Expedition Race Director, said, "In 2002, we began the large undertaking of organizing the Patagonian Expedition Race. From the beginning, we have focused on creating an experience that is not only physical and mental challenge, but one that sends a message to the world: we must protect and preserve this remote and pristine region of Chilean Patagonia. Today, our event is bringing this message to the world, and we are proud to have a global company of Wenger's caliber to join our quest. The brand, its products and its corporate philosophy fit perfectly with our initiative."

The Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is the only adventure race worldwide that has been granted an official partnership by an Olympic Committee. The 2009 race will again follow the event's successful international challenge format.

Approximately 60 athletes, from nations including USA, Canada, China, Australia, Germany, Croatia, Israel, Spain, France, Brazil, Argentina and Chile will compete against each other and Mother Nature in mixed teams of four.

Their challenge will take them across some of the most remote lands of Earth, starting south-east of the Southern Continental Ice Field until they reach the end of the American continent, where it breaks up in a maze of islands and fjords, eventually reaching the Cross of the Seas at the end of the world. It's a 10-day,  600km challenge incorporating mountain biking trekking, rope work, kayaking and orienteering. Last year's challenge was won for the third time by France, as Team Authentic Nutrition completed the challenge in a total of 6 days, 2 hours and 42 minutes.

The 2009 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race will take place from February 10th - 21st. 

Further details will be announced closer to the event date.

About Wenger SA

Wenger was founded in 1893, in the Delemont, located in the famous Swiss Jura region. It has developed around a passion for innovation, precision and expert craftsmanship and is best known as the maker of the genuine Swiss Army Knife. Today, the company produces approximately 250 styles of their famous pocketknives, as well as butcher's and professional catering knives known the world over. In 1997, Wenger Watch SA was founded in the hotbed for Swiss watches, Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. In just 12 short years Wenger Swiss watches have developed a reputation for reliability, multi-funtionality and performance. Within the last eight years, Wenger established relationships with a small number of industry leaders who began manufacturing Wenger-branded products that embody the characteristics of the world famous Swiss Army Knife in the footwear, tent, backpack, sleeping bag, computer mobility and travel gear catagories.

About Patagonian Expedition Race

The Patagonian Expedition Race is an annual, action-filled adventure race, in the southern-most region of the world. Top-ranked international teams compete in the most rugged, geographic and climatically diversified terrain ever known to the expedition racing. Each edition means a different route through a geographically unique and spectacular are a between southern latitudes 49° and 56°. Past events have incorporated the Southern Continental Ice Field, the Torres del Paine National Park, the Strait of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego, the Darwin Range, the Beagle Channel. Imitating what Indian forefathers have done over thousands of years, the international competitors are required to traverse plains, mountains, glaciers, native forests, swampland, rivers, lakes and channels, guided only by their mind and spirit and driven on by their physical stamina and experience.