ALPINA the Water Guardian

The watch manufacture ALPINA, Aurélien Ducroz and the RACE FOR WATER Foundation join forces in the WATER GUARDIAN program for the preservation of freshwater and oceans.

Particularly sensitive to ecological issues, the fine watchmaking brand has committed in 2014 to the Swiss foundation RACE FOR WATER with its ambassador, Aurélien Ducroz. Two-time world freeride skiing champion and 4th arriving skipper in the last Transat Jacques Vabre transatlantic race, he will carry out his future ski expeditions and races at the service of the foundation. His next documentaries Latitude Neige/Longitude Mer (Latitude Snow/Longitude Sea) in unexplored territories perfectly align with his commitment to "Water Guardian" for the foundation and will document the water cycle in nature that is constantly evolving. 

Understand, share, act… mobilization for the preservation of freshwater and oceans is what the RACE FOR WATER Foundation fights for, rallying education, business and the scientific community around this unique objective. It organizes numerous missions worldwide, notably in partnership with major international NGOs. The project will allow Aurélien Ducroz to reveal information that is essential to the understanding of the evolution of seas and oceanic climate by deploying and recovering scientific Argos markers, thanks to his expeditions in unexplored territories where the sea and the mountains meet, made accessible by sailboat and that he will explore on skis.

Alpina therefore created a special, limited edition watch - only 400 models available worldwide - the Alpiner "4" Chronograph "Race for Water" in the foundation's colors, of which part of the profits will be donated to support its activities. "We are proud and happy to support the Race for Water foundation and our ambassador and "Water Guardian" Aurélien Ducroz in their efforts to save the most precious resource in the world, the source of which, for the most part, is found in the Alpine environment. It is our duty and our responsibility." Guido Benedini, CEO of Alpina

Aurélien Ducroz, ambassador for the Race for Water Foundation since October 2013, signed the "Water Guardian" charter. By signing this charter, he has committed to calculating and reducing his water footprint and contributing to the Foundation's activities through his talent and expertise. He explained that he "was very happy to join the RACE FOR WATER family and proud to be able to get involved with the Foundation to contribute to water and ocean preservation." He joins the WATER GUARDIANS team, including actress Anne Richard, skipper Steve Ravussin and illustrator ZEP.

Anne-Cécile Turner, director of the Race for Water Foundation stated, "The Foundation is very proud to welcome ALPINA, a prestigious brand, as an Official Supporter as well as Aurélien Ducroz, the perfect ambassador to represent the Foundation and accompany us in our efforts to raise awareness regarding water preservation."

About the Race for Water Foundation

The RACE FOR WATER Foundation is an organization dedicated to water preservation. It aims to educate and raise awareness concerning two major water-related issues: the pollution of lakes and oceans by plastic and the preservation of freshwater. The Foundation's program is based on three axes:

• LEARN: education, to raise awareness among the general public
• SHARE: work together to make a difference
• ACT: implement concrete solutions

About Aurélien Ducroz

Born in Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France, Aurélien Ducroz is, at 31 years old, a two time freeride skiing world champion (2009 and 2011) and since 2009 has led a double career in sailing... A modern-day adventurer, an extraordinary athlete and father to a young son and daughter, he seamlessly leads two athletic careers while getting involved in common research projects.

After only a few years’ experience in sailing, Aurélien has already participated in the Mini Transat 6.50 in 2011, completed his first trans-Atlantic race in Class40 as part of a crew with Eric Péron and Thomas Le Breton in 2012, took sixth place in the Tour de Bretagne 2013 in Figaro, and earned an honorable fourth place in the last Transat Jacques Vabre two-handed race in 2013 in Class40 with Yannick Bestaven. His future projects are distributed between the sea and the mountains, and Aurélien dreams of being able to participate in the next major offshore races, with his ultimate goal being the Vendée Globe. www.aurelienducroz.com