#Rowing: Kinetica Sports Nutrition, one of Ireland’s leading sports nutrition brands, today announced that it is rowing in behind one of Ireland’s strongest groups of Olympic 2020 hopefuls as it signs up to become the official headline partner of Rowing Ireland.

 The partnership will enhance the brand’s visibility in one of Ireland’s fastest growing sports, building on its devoted following amongst professional athletes and international sports teams. The sponsorship will provide funding to Rowing Ireland along with Kinetica’s range of sports nutrition products. Rowing Ireland the will have the opportunity to promote and encourage all upcoming levels of rowing talent. The partnership also aims to highlight that rowing is a sport in which anyone can participate.

 In addition to the overall partnership arrangement, Kinetica has signed up two-time Olympian and current World Champion Sanita Puspure as an official brand ambassador. Sanita’s excellent run of form continues, on the back of her recent gold-winning performance at the Memorial Paolo d’Aloja in Piediluco, Italy less than three weeks ago. Sanita was joined at the official launch by fellow Olympic hopefuls, Aifric Keogh and Monika Dukarska. The partnership will be amplified through the brand’s new #KineticaIgnites campaign; designed to ask everyone to look at the motivation behind their sport and exercise and inspire everyone to use sport and exercise to help build a healthy body and mind.

 Ann Marie Brady, Senior Brand Manager, Boyne Valley, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Rowing Ireland, a fantastic organisation that will be at the forefront of Ireland’s medal hopes in Tokyo next year. Our aim with this sponsorship is to provide support to all rowers and coaches and help them to reach their maximum potential with the support of our wide range of great-tasting Kinetica products. Kinetica is trusted and used by many professionals and athletes across leading teams and associations in Ireland and abroad.

 "This is an exciting opportunity for us to be present at several high-profile competitive tournaments as well as a chance for us to extend our knowledge and expertise with some of the best sporting talent that Ireland has to offer. As well as this, we’re excited to help Rowing Ireland in promoting rowing as a sport that anybody can get involved in and reminding people that you don’t need to be an Olympian to get involved and enjoy this great sport.”

 Michelle Carpenter, CEO, Rowing Ireland added, “We are delighted to welcome Kinetica on board as our official headline partner. Our goal is always to promote and encourage participation in rowing at all levels and Kinetica can help us achieve that with their support and expertise. 2016 was a massive breakthrough year for rowing in Ireland, achieving our first ever silver medal in Rio. Our sights are fully set on Tokyo in 2020 and we look forward to collaborating with Kinetica and are grateful for their backing and commitment throughout this journey. We are very much looking forward to the exciting times ahead.”

 Kinetica will also benefit from increased visibility on Rowing Ireland’s boats and team clothing as well as being at the forefront of all major rowing events at home and abroad, including title sponsorship of the upcoming Irish Championships. As part of the exciting agreement, Kinetica will adopt the naming rights to the National Rowing Ireland centre in Farran Woods, Co. Cork.

#VOLVO OCEAN RACE - The producer of Jameson whiskey has been announced as the spirit and wine sponsor of the Volvo Ocean Race Festival in Galway this summer.

The Galway Independent repors that Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard will be represented at the festival by their brands Jameson, GH Mumm champagne and Brancott Estate wine.

Managing director Pat Magee said: “We are delighted to be the spirits sponsor of the Volvo Ocean Race.

"It is a huge honour for Galway and Ireland to be chosen as the final destination, and a real opportunity for Ireland to show to an international audience our capabilities and successes."

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, organisers of the Volvo Ocean Race stopover this July have promised the event will be "bigger and better" than the previous visit in 2009.

The City of the Tribes competed with 81 locations around the world to be given the honour of hosting the final leg and the closing ceremony of the classic race.

The Galway Independent has more on the story HERE.

Shoe manufacturer Dubarry saw a 44 per cent increase in overseas sales last year, The Irish Times reports.

The firm, which is a long-time supporter of sailing in Ireland, reported pretax profits of €1.95 million on revenue that topped the €20 million mark, an increase of more than €4 million on the previous year.

Though shoe sales are on the decline in Ireland, growth in export markets - and the success of Dubarry's new clothing range – has more than offset any domestic losses, said marketing director Michael Walsh.

Dubarry was recently title sponsor of the Fireball World Championships at Sligo Yacht Club last month.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.