The Bermuda Race Organizing Committee has named Hinckley Yachts as the Official Sponsor of the Captains Meeting before the June 20, site 2014 start of the next Bermuda Race.

In addition, as it has for the past several races, Hinckley Yachts will provide the on-water check-in boat and two other boats at the starting area for official observers.

Bermuda Race Organizing Committee Chairman Fred Deichmann, said: “We are very happy to welcome Hinckley Yachts back as a member of the sponsor family for the 49th usedport Bermuda Race.  We are grateful for Hinckley’s support for the Captains Meeting, where there will be an important last-minute briefing by our committee to sailors from every boat about the weather, the start and finish, and the rest of the race. We also thank Hinckley for once again providing three Hinckley-built boats at the start.”  

Founded in Maine in 1928 to build and care for boats for local lobstermen, the Hinckley Company pioneered in fiberglass construction in the early 1960s.

Leading sports nutrition brand Herbalife have announced today that it has extended its official sponsorship of triathlon champion Heather Jackson through 2016.

Jackson joins the ranks of elite athletes powered by Herbalife, which has a track record of supporting champion athletes and sporting teams worldwide. The Herbalife24 products are part of a comprehensive performance line that offers a full day of nutrition support – everything from pre-workout to recovery. The Herbalife24™ line has been integral to Jackson’s training and racing over the past few years.

“I am so grateful for the ongoing support from Herbalife. Their products are exactly what I need as an endurance athlete – something for before, during, and after every training session or race. The Herbalife24 line takes the guess work out of my hydration, fueling and recovery, letting me focus more on my training,” said Jackson. “And to have a sponsor that truly believes in you as an athlete and wants to do whatever they can to help you reach your athletic goals is indescribable. Herbalife’s support over the past year has been an absolute game-changer to my triathlon career and I’m excited to extend this partnership for another two years.”

“The focus of our Herbalife24 sports line is to ensure athletes of all levels are getting optimal nutrition at all times,” said Thomas Harms, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, Herbalife. “We strive to build strong relationships with the elite athletes we sponsor to help them improve performance and achieve success. We look forward to working with Heather as she continues to win races around the world.”

Herbalife sponsors hundreds of international and national sporting events, teams and athletes reflecting the company’s commitment to a healthy, active life supported by good nutrition. These sponsorships include the Los Angeles Galaxy; the Herbalife Triathlon Los Angeles; the Malibu Triathlon; international soccer star, Cristiano Ronaldo; and Pumas soccer club in Mexico.

Swan Racing announced today that Speed Stick GEAR is sponsoring Cole Whitt and the No. 26 Toyota for NASCAR’s Daytona 500.

To kick off the relationship, Speed Stick will film a multi-part documentary series that will chronicle the rookie’s preparation and in-car experience during this year’s Great American Race – the Daytona 500, on February 23rd.

Whitt, 22, is a candidate for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award and will be competing in one of the toughest rookie classes ever.

“Nothing is more heart-pounding than driving 200 miles per hour, just inches apart – especially in front of tens of millions of people,” said Whitt. “Preparation is everything. My crew, my car and my body have to perform at an advanced level.”

“Cole Whitt is about to embark on an experience that aligns perfectly with our brand story,” said Bill Van Da Graaf. “We are so excited to be able to capture and share it as a way to inspire guys to face life head-on.”

The Daytona 500 will take palce on Sunday, February 23.

SmartStop Self Storage, a U.S. chain of storage units, recently announced the sponsorship of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Shawn “The Great” Bunch.

The three-year sponsorship will provide Bunch with financial support while he completes his training with the goal of becoming one of the top MMA athletes in the country.

Bunch is currently competing in Bellator’s Bantamweight Division. In 2012 at Bellator 82, he made his professional and promotional debut against Chad Coon, which he won via unanimous decision. At Bellator 97, he defeated Russell Wilson via split decision. In 2012, he placed third in the World Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament. Bunch had his first defeat via TKO against Steve Garcia in October 2013.

“Our sponsorship program targets up-and-coming, talented and driven athletes with the goal of helping them reach their fullest potential,” said H. Michael Schwartz, chairman and CEO of Strategic Storage Trust, Inc., a publicly registered REIT targeting the self-storage market under the SmartStop Self Storage brand name. “Shawn is not a typical MMA fighter, as he comes from a very high level of wrestling where he achieved greatness in the NCAA circuit and has represented the United States in the International Freestyle Wrestling Tournaments.”

Bunch trains at The American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, Calif. The AKA gym was recently rated one of the top five training centers in the world. AKA provides world class instruction in boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts and wrestling.

This is not the first time SmartStop has sponsored an MMA athlete. Back in 2012, SmartStop sponsored Joe “The Hybrid” Duarte for more than two years.

Online sports betting brand BetBright have been announced as the new sponsor of the Kempton Park Chase on February 22.

The BetBright Chase, which was established in 1988 and has been won by the likes of Docklands Express, Nacarat and last year by Opening Batsman, is worth £100,000.

Brian Farrell, the firm’s marketing director, said: “The BetBright Chase is one of the top handicaps of the jumps season and we are delighted to be sponsoring it. Some fantastic horses have won the race over the years and there are some top-class entries this year.

“We are planning a big promotion for the race, which we will be announcing a few days before, so watch this space!”

Designer Whey, makers of of natural 100% premium whey protein products, have announced a partnership with Beach Volleyball Olympic Gold Medalist, Kerri Walsh Jennings.

Walsh Jennings will serve as Brand Ambassador for Designer Whey.

Walsh Jennings’ passion for health, fitness and her sport aligns perfectly with Designer Whey’s products that provide increased strength and energy, improved power, faster muscle recovery, better health and performance.

“I am so proud and very excited about my new partnership with Designer Whey,” says Walsh Jennings.  “As a mother of three and an elite athlete, I count on Designer Whey products to not only get me though my day, but to help me be at my very best as I take on my busy, active schedule. Designer Whey products fuel me every single day whether I’m at home or traveling the world. Quality, reliability and efficiency are things that I strive for in my life and Designer Whey carries that in every single calorie conscious serving.”

“We are thrilled Kerri is joining the Designer Whey team,” said Designer Whey’s Chairman Cyrill Siewert. “Kerri is one of the most successful female athletes in the world and is an inspiration to all of us as she competes at the highest level and juggles her busy, active lifestyle as a loving wife and mother of three young children.  She is an ideal fit for our brand and our customer.”

San Francisco’s most iconic foot race, Bay to Breakers, announced today that Under Armour has signed a multi-year deal to serve as the official performance apparel and footwear provider for the event.

The announcement comes ahead of the 103rd Bay to Breakers, scheduled to take place on May 18th.

As part of the partnership, Under Armour will collaborate with Bay to Breakers to design co-branded apparel and will use the two-day runner’s expo to highlight some of their cutting-edge technology and innovations. Under Armour will have a strong race day presence as the official sponsor of the notoriously challenging “Hayes Hill,” awarding prizes to the fastest hill runners from select racing categories.

“Joining forces with a world-renowned race like Bay to Breakers is extremely exciting for our brand,” said Matt Mirchin, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing at Under Armour. “Under Armour is dedicated to innovation in the running space, as we’ve demonstrated through the development of our SpeedForm footwear platform. This partnership provides a great opportunity to bring a new level of cutting-edge technology to the race experience by leveraging MapMyFitness and Under Armour’s game-changing apparel and footwear.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Under Armour to the Bay to Breakers team,” said Matt Wikstrom, Executive Vice President of Wasserman Media Group. “It has always been our goal to work with brands like Under Armour that share our innovative approach while maintaining the highest quality standards. As we embark on our 103rd race, we know that Under Armour will help us take this event to the next level.”

theScore has extended its sponsorship of Canadian golf star Mackenzie Hughes, as the 23-year-old prepares to take the next big step in his professional career. 

Hughes, from Dundas, Ontario, makes his debut on the Web.com Tour tomorrow at the Pacific Rubiales Colombia Championship Presented by Claro in Bogota, Colombia. Hughes secured fully exempt status on the Web.com Tour after finishing first on 2013 PGA TOUR Canada Order of Merit, which included a victory at the Cape Breton Celtic Classic Presented by PC Financial and four top-10 finishes.

theScore sponsored Hughes throughout the 2013 PGA TOUR Canada season and will continue its support in 2014 as he graduates to the Web.com Tour. Hughes looks to finish inside the top-25 on season ending money list and earn full status on the PGA TOUR next season, alongside the biggest names in the world golf.

As part of the partnership, theScore will be giving golf fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse of life as a professional golfer through Hughes’ regular “Confessions of a Tour Pro” column, which can be seen in the PGA sections of theScore appand theScore.com.

“Mac is a great guy and a talented professional who has shown the potential to compete at the very highest level,” said John Levy, Chairman and CEO of theScore, Inc. “We’re so excited for him this year and pleased to be playing a part in helping him achieve his goal of competing with the very best on the world stage.”

“It’s great to have theScore backing me again this season,” said Hughes, a former member of Golf Canada’s National Team and Kent State University alumnus. “They’re a well-known Canadian brand and sports fans all over the world love their mobile apps.

“Most fans only get a glimpse of the on-course aspects and performance side of being a professional golfer. Through my column on thescore app and thescore.com, golf fans will also be able to gain access into the off-course ride most pros experience while travelling and competing. I look forward to connecting with sports fans and sharing my story on the Web.com Tour.”