Calibre Magazine Issue 01

The Pinnacle of Sports Luxury

issue 01 SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014

Magical Messi

Working With The Wind

Better than Maradona?

Evolution of Aerodynamics in F1

• WTA’s plans for Singapore and the region • The brand new Singapore Sports Hub • English Premier League Preview • Antarctic Ice Marathon • Most Exclusive Golf Clubs i s s u e 0 1 • SE P T E M B E R | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4 bo l d i n k m a g a z i n e s pt e lt d

Right on Time

Rolex’s capacity as F1’s Official Timepiece reinforces their commitment and support to motor sports.

S$8.50

CONTENTS is sue 01 • SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014

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THE LOCKER ROOM

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Neymar Jr. lays it all on the line.

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A Dream Partnership

Tag Heuer partners Patrick Dempsey’s racing team.

No Risk No Return

The Best (Arm) Bar None

Ronda Rousey is an MMA legend in the making.

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A SLEEK COLLABORATION

Scuderia Ferrari and Oakley launch a new collection of eyewear.

Vintage Leather

KILLSPENCER’s hand-crafted sports products exude a fuzzy old-school charm.

Earning Their Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs’ dominant 13-14 season, in numbers.

cricket’s living legend

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Sachin Tendulkar was in town to conduct

a cricket clinic.

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September 2014

big in distance, light in weight

Callaway’s V Series driver promises lots of easy distance.

super bicycle

The finely-tuned S-Works McLaren Tarmac is built for speed.

FLIGHT OF FANCY

Pigeon racing is the chosen sport of China’s nouveau riche.

northern irish boy wonder

Rory McIlroy rises back up to the pinnacle of golf.

private punishment

We discovered a gym where you can have the entire space all to yourselves.

COMPETE timekeeper extraordinarie

Rolex, the Official Timepiece of F1, has a storied history in auto racing.

Working With The Wind

The evolution of aerodynamics in F1.

extreme engineering

Richard Mille and the Lotus F1 Team have plenty in common.

Conquest Classic

CONTENTS is sue 01 • SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2014

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old hands, new game

The World Tennis Association has laid out grand plans to develop tennis in Singapore and the region.

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front row an extraordinary venue

A pictorial perspective of the brand new Singapore Sports Hub.

VICTORY

80 an exhilarating entry The new Mercedes C Class is efficient, functional

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and looks absolutely gorgeous.

a quasquicentennial toast

Glenfiddich launches the Anniversary Vintage to celebrate its 125th year in existence.

82 aqua classics

Exquisite timepieces inspired by water sports.

83 a well-tailored supercar

Maserati teams up with Ermenegildo Zegna to

create a limited edition Quattroporte.

portraits

84 timely tee off

Audemars Piguet Golf Trophy 2014.

85 fast vision

Oakley Ferrari Collection launch at Marina 48

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MVP

QUEENS OF THE COURT

Singapore Lions match.

A World of Success

BMW celebrates its heritage and gives its fans a peek into its future at BMW World 2014.

Ana Ivanovic, Simona Halep and Dominika Cibulkova talk about their chances of playing at the WTA Finals Singapore.

Magical Messi

We celebrate the achievements of the diminutive genius.

62 Fairways and dreams

The world’s most exclusive golf clubs.

68 Cool Runnings

There is no other foot race quite like the 03 04

Bay Sands.

86 time for football

Hublot hosted VIPs and guests at the Juventus-

Our columnist Spencer Robinson previews the 14/15 English Premier League season.

AWAY DAY

premier entertainment!

Antarctic Ice Marathon.

September 2014

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88 FINAL whistle

The Longines Singapore Gold Cup, one of the

richest races in the region.

The Pinnacle of Sports Luxury

Publishers Jacqueline Wong jacqueline@boldink.com.sg Jasmin Oh jasmin@boldink.com.sg

Business Development Accounts Director / Daryl Lock daryl@boldink.com.sg

Editorial Managing Editor / Ong Cheow Eng cheoweng@boldink.com.sg Project Editor / Marie Monozca Sub Editor / Florence Lee

Contributors David Ng, Michelle Kaufman, Simon Tan, Spencer Robinson, Tony Tan

Creative Project Art Director / Han Yew Hock Art Director / Lydia Foo Graphic Designer / Joyce Liew

Sales & Marketing Advertising Sales Tel: +65 6223 4258 / +65 9790 0905 sales@boldink.com.sg

Subscription Enquiries Tel: +65 6223 4258 circulations@boldink.com.sg Distributed by ALLSCRIPT Printed in Singapore by Fabulous Printers Pte Ltd, Co. Reg. No. 199505690E

is a publication of Bold Ink Magazines Pte Ltd 201A Thomson Road Singapore 307637 Tel: +65 6223 4258 Fax: +65 6223 3147 Bold Ink Magazines Pte Ltd, Co. Reg. No. 201202104C MCI (P) 138/06/2014 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher.

The views and opinions expressed or implied in CALIBRE are those of the authors or contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers and advisory board.

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FACEBOOK.COM/2XU.SG

2XU.COM

CONTributors

Spencer Robinson Marie Monozca David Ng David is a sporting tragic – if they keep a score or there are medals to be awarded, then it’s likely he’ll be watching, if not participating.

He embraces sports participation and watching for its ability to unite and divide, to enchant and perplex, to define and refine our lives as individuals, as communities and as nations. As an avid player and spectator across multiple sports, he now adds commentary as a welcome contributor to Calibre magazine to his list of excuses to follow the story behind the scores.

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Marie’s career as a writer and editor spans more than two decades and 10 titles. An avid golfer and runner, she also dabbles in tennis and gallops her way through the occasional horseback-riding session.

In this inaugural issue, she interviews three of the most exciting players to watch out for at this year’s BNP Paribas WTA Finals in Singapore as well as the prime movers behind women’s tennis’ governing body, the WTA. From tennis courts to golf fairways, she then unveils some of the world’s most exclusive “greens” where money or pedigree alone is not enough to get one a red-carpet welcome.

Simon Tan Simon, a lawyer by profession and a dreamer by nature, abides by the mantra that life is short.

To maintain sufficient fitness to traipse off the beaten tracks and embark on these serendipitous journeys of possibilities, he keeps fit by playing tennis after he has been laid low by an injury sustained during a football game.

He writes extensively and have written travel and lifestyle articles for various publications and newspapers. “Sports sustain me, sharpen my reflexes and allow me to stay young at heart.

If not for sports, I will be indolent, heavy bellied and depressed. Sports are a form of therapy, a palliative for anxiety and stress. I am nourished by the friendship that sports inevitably forge.”

Having cut his journalistic teeth in England, Spencer arrived in Hong Kong in 1984 to assume a position on the editorial staff at the South China Morning Post, where he became Chief Sports Writer and Deputy Sports Editor.

Spencer moved to Singapore in 2002 and has continued to be a close observer of Asian sport, writing for many leading newspapers and magazines and commentating for a variety of television channels, including ESPN, Fox Sports and Asia Television (Hong Kong).

Tony Tan Tony started writing cars reviews and motorsport articles in 1993 and since then, he has been a regular contributor of prominent automotive publications.

Besides being a motoring journalist, Tony volunteers his time with the Singapore Motor Sports Association; something he has done for the past 20 years. The various roles he has undertaken include being the Vice President and Steward (2009 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix: Chief Steward, Support Races). A passionate advocate of animal welfare causes, especially those involving stray dogs, Tony believes that the world will be a much better place if every home has a dog!

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Plenty to Look Forward to

Back in the halcyon years when the Singapore national team was in the Malaysian League, the entire nation was gripped with football fever.

Fandi Ahmad thrilled with his goal-scoring feats, every lass wanted to be Lim Tong Hai’s girlfriend and Michal Vana become the kelong (match-fixing, in local speak) idol of the world.

From the time when Singapore pulled out of the Malaysian league until now, the stands have unfortunately, gone relatively quieter at the stadiums and sports halls. The crowds may be staying at home for one reason or another, but that didn’t stop the local sports scene from evolving.

In recent history, Singapore hosted many of the world’s best athletes. There was the Barclays Singapore Open, F1 Night Race and the very high-profile 2010 Youth Olympic Games, to name a few events.

Photography by Michael Tan Jacket from Ermenegildo Zegna

This year, the S$1.3 billion, state-of-the-art Sports Hub finally opened its doors. I’m looking forward to catching the world champions at the Swim Stars Singapore and the best tennis players at the WTA Finals Singapore. There’s also the Brazil-Japan match that’s happening in mid-October.

Indeed, with the massive amount of money and effort invested into sports, there’s plenty to look forward to here in Singapore if you’re a sports fan. And it is with this optimism that led to the creation of . celebrates the pinnacle of sports. We’ll be featuring the top athletes, cutting-edge sports gadgets and exclusive sports destinations around the world. We’ll also be analysing key trends and profiling movers and shakers in the sports industry.

And who knows? With a fresh injection of interest into sports, we may be hearing the infamous Kallang Roar sooner rather than later.

Ong Cheow Eng Managing Editor

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The Locker room EQUIPMENT, GADGETS, NEWS AND REVIEWS

Northern Irish Boy Wonder Rory McIlroy Page 22

The Locker Room

A Dream Partnership There is certainly no lack of glitz, glamour and good-lookers from TAG Heuer.

The Swiss watchmakers, which already has head turners such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Maria Sharapova as brand ambassadors, added a 24 Hours of Le Mans race team into its stable of stars. It is not just any team, but one that is led by Hollywood heartthrob Patrick Dempsey.

Under the deal, TAG Heuer will promote Dempsey Racing’s achievements in its advertising campaign, and its iconic shield will be visible on the car and the drivers’ racing suits in every race.

Dempsey is best known for his role as “McDreamy” in Grey’s Anatomy. He is a big auto-racing fan and has competed in various races for nearly a decade.

“This new partnership opens up great new perspectives for me,” Dempsey said.

“It’s exciting but does comes with a bit pressure to succeed. Becoming part of TAG Heuer’s living legacy that goes back to Jo Siffert, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost makes me humble.”

They finished 24th overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year, five positions better compared to 2013. Evidently, like TAG Heuer’s tagline, Dempsey did not crack under pressure.

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No Risk No Return The 1994 World Cup will surely bring back fond memories for many football fans. The tournament, hosted by the USA, was a star-studded affair with the likes of Mexico’s eccentric goalkeeper Jorge Campos, Brazil’s free-scoring striker Romario and Italy’s swashbuckling full back Paulo Maldini spearheading their nations’ charge. Inspired by these footballers’ all-or-nothing approach to football, the Beaverton-based sports equipment manufacturer launched the Nike F.C. collection.

The Nike F.C. collection is also a tribute to 20 years of exhilarating football.

Nike markets the collection as a grand depiction of passion, talent, irreverence and the willingness to put it all on the line.

Nike’s current star Neymar Jr. certainly epitomises this ethos, evident from his brave performances at this year’s World Cup tournament. The 22-year-old Barcelona star carried the Brazilian team on his back before being hacked down by Columbia’s Juan Camilo Zúñiga during the quarter finals.

“Sem risco não há vitória”, or “without risk there is no victory” is Nike F.C. motto.

It doesn’t work all the time, though.

Neymar’s team put all their chips on the table (especially in their defensive play) and got a beating of the teutonic kind.

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The Locker Room

The Best (Arm) Bar None

To the casual observer, mixed martial arts (MMA) can be perceived as a no-holds-barred display of brutality and violence; nothing more than a human cockfight. But in actual fact, this fast growing sport depicts a grand symphony of strategy, power and precision. A fight between two well-trained MMA fighters is a beautiful sight to behold. None more so than the beautifully explosive Ronday Rousey.

Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey is arguably the best women’s fighter in MMA history. She fights in the world’s largest MMA promotion company Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where she is the current bantamweight champion.

The Olympic judo medallist went into MMA in 2011 and wiped out the entire division. Rousey has a perfect 10-0 record, and she finished every single fight (none of the fights went to a judges’ decision), the majority by arm bar.

Because of her utter dominance in the cage and very marketable personality, she singlehandedly brought women’s MMA to the fore.

Now, the UFC even broadcasts women’s MMA

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fights on their lucrative pay-per-view slots.

This is significant as not too long ago, UFC president Dana White said: “Women will never fight in the UFC.” And also because of her marketability, she landed a role in the movie The Expendables 3, got into ESPN Magazine’s 2012 body issue and was ranked 29th in Maxim’s Hot 100 last year. Indeed, the 27-year-old brought her unique blend of violence and beauty in and out of the cage.

a sleek collaboration Its celebrated drivers such as Eddie Ervine, Giancarlo Fisacalla and Michael Schumacher were always seen sporting a pair. The association has always been close, but it has never been formalised. Now, it’s official. The Scuderia Ferrari racing team have partnered high-end sunglass makers Oakley. And to give fans of both brands a glimpse of what to expect from this collaboration, they released the Scuderia Ferrari Carbon Blade collection.

The sunglasses has the iconic Prancing Horse laser etched on the corner frames. But more significantly, the frames are made using a material commonly used in motor racing carbon fibre. With that, the frames are durable, yet lightweight.

“The biggest inspiration behind the Scuderia Ferrari Carbon Blade can be seen in the materials used to create it,” said Ryan Calilung, Oakley design Engineer. “Carbon fibre is central to the engineering process at Scuderia Ferrari, and we wanted to reflect that passion for excellence and cutting edge innovation in the Carbon Blade. Carbon fibre has been used before in eyewear, but never in this way. Rather than shaping pieces from flat rigid plates, we moulded the carbon layers into a flexible frame structure, creating a highly engineered solution.”

Indeed, these sunglasses are really, dashing.

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The Locker Room

Vintage Leather It goes without saying that everything looks better in leather. KILLSPENCER, an artisanal workshop based in Los Angeles, has come with a range of athletic equipment that is meticulously crafted and clad in premium leather as well as suede.

Spencer Nikosey, a graduate from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena is the brainchild behind the brand. It all started from a sustainable, waterproof backpack made from used military tarps and canvases. He put the backpacks on the Internet and they were so popular, they were sold out in a short period of time. Buoyed by the success, Nikosey turned his online venture into a full time

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business. The Athletics Collection is one of KILLSPENCER’s latest offerings.

The collection exudes an inexplicable vintage feel and looks divine, with its fine leather, careful stitching and subtle gold wordings.

According to interview Nikosey gave to Men’s Journal, the balls are made using scraps of leather that are too small to be used on other products, and they are hand woven using a careful process that takes about three hours for each item.

Other standout items include the speedball, complete with the swivel and steel mount.

Earning Their Spurs The basketball team from San Antonio has certainly earned their Spurs. The Tim Duncan-led team capped off their brilliant 2013/2014 regular season with a dominant win over the fancied Miami Heat team during the NBA Finals. We take a look at the San Antonio Spurs by the numbers.

1 24 52.8%

Led the NBA in regular season for games won (62), three-point field goal percentage (39.73%) point differential (+7.72) and assists (25.17).

Point difference between the Spurs bench and Heat bench during the championshipclinching game five. In games one to four, the Spurs Bench outscored the Heat’s 35.3-21.3.

Spurs’ field-goal percentage during the 2014 Finals.

The highest in NBA History.

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Record point differential against the Miami Heat in the Finals. All four Spurs wins were by at least 15 points.

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The Locker Room

Cricket’s Living Legend When it comes to cricket, very few names come bigger than Sachin Tendulkar. He is arguably, the best batsman in the history of the game and a holder of multiple records.

Even though he retired last year, Tendulkar is still idolised by millions of cricketers around the world. Which was why, he created quite a bit of pandemonium when the God of Cricket was in Singapore to conduct a special clinic for young fans.

Tendulkar shared batting, bowling and fielding techniques to 30 youngsters at the Singapore Cricket Club. Of course, given his fame and reputation, it had to be more than just a cricket clinic; Tendulkar was also there to raise awareness for a charity initiative driven by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Said Tendulkar at the event: “I would like to thank the Singapore Cricket Club for hosting this interactive session and encouraging the sport of cricket. I commend the charity efforts

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undertaken by The Royal Bank of Scotland and am happy to have played a small role in their initiative to support the Dyslexia Association of Singapore.”

“We strongly believe that by having a truly inspiring personality such as Sachin partner with us, we are able to make a difference in children’s lives,” said Pierre Ferland, Head of Corporate & Institutional Banking, Asia Pacific, RBS. “With all his record-breaking achievements and accolades, he remains incredibly humble and we are delighted with his commitment in supporting our CSR efforts.”

Evidently, the legend of Sachin Tendulkar continues.

Big in Distance, Light in Weight The logic for farther distances is pretty simple, at least on paper. When you have faster clubhead speed, you’ll generate more force and hence, you’ll hit it longer down the fairway. And to facilitate speed, the engineers at Callaway made the new Big Bertha V Series Driver lighter by using lightweight materials and instilling better aerodynamics for lower drag.

This driver weighs just 290g. It features a Hyper Speed Face produces higher ball speeds all across the face and a lighter Forged Composite material in the crown

that result in higher swing speed and ball speed.

Apart from its weight, this new driver also features the OptiFit Technology, which gives you a combination of eight different loft (-1, S, +1, +2) and lie angle (Draw or Neutral) configurations.

With so many features packed into this lightweight driver, the only other thing you’ll need to do is hit it square on the face.

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The Locker Room

Super Bicycle Apart from being recognised as the company that supplied the bike to 2014 Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali, high-performance bicycle manufacturer Specialized is also known for its partnership with McLaren. Two years ago, they released the much lauded Specialized S-Works + McLaren Venge Bike. This year, the partnership produced another finely-tuned speed machine the S-Works McLaren Tarmac.

Specialize leveraged on McLaren’s expertise in carbon fibre to produce a frame that is 10 per cent lighter than the stock S-Work Tarmac. The weight reduction extended to the crankset, handlebars and wheelset. Every single part of the bike is designed specifically for this project so that collectively, they work seamlessly with one another.

In essence, the rider can be ensured a grand performance from the bike.

Unsurprisingly, the colourway is reminiscent of McLaren supercars. Furthermore, the bikes are painted in the McLaren Special Operations Centre in Woking, Surrey UK – the same location where the McLaren P1 supercar is painted.

Each bike comes with a pair of complementary custom-made S-Works Road Shoes and an S-Works Prevail helmet. The bike will be built to your exact specifications through the Body Geometry Fit consultation for a truly customised fit.

The bike is limited to a production of 250. Indeed, speed is of the essence if you intend to get one.

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Thanks to the economic boom that is happening in the Middle Kingdom, the Chinese nouveau riche are indulging in activities, like pigeon racing, that were once the domain of European aristocrats.

Flight of Fancy

In pigeon racing, trained pigeons are released at a designated site. The birds are then required to fly back to their homes over hundreds of kilometres. The fastest pigeon, wins and its owner gets fame and a little bit of fortune.

Evident from various sources such as BBC, Time and vice.com, the sport is gaining plenty of momentum in China.

Currently, it has more than 300,000 pigeon racing enthusiasts and the numbers look set to grow.

And they are not mere hobbyists.

Chinese Pigeon fanciers are paying top dollar to secure the services of the fastest pigeons in the world.

Auction house Pipa made a historic pigeon deal in 2013, when they sold a bird named Bolt (after the world record sprinter) for a world record US$400,000. The bidder? A Chinese businessman named Gao Fuxin.

In fact, nine out of the 10 most expensive pigeons at the auction went to Chinese or Taiwanese bidders.

Most probably, the owner of Bolt will use it to breed more birds, which could give Gao a very healthy ROI. Looks like there’s more to pigeons than just food in China.

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The Locker Room

Northern Irish Boy Wonder We all know about how good Rory McIlroy is. But over 12 extraordinary rounds of golf, he has elevated himself from being “good”, to “legendary”. The Northern Irishman displayed steely nerves, tenacity and exquisite all-round skills to win The Open, the WGCBridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship in quick succession.

At least, over the three tournaments, nothing fazed him.

Unlike Liverpool Football Club’s 2013/14 title challenge, he was able to hold on to his lead despite intense pressure from his challengers.

He did that at The Open and the PGA Championship, seeing off Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson respectively. The Manchester United fan didn’t slip.

And he knows a thing or two about chasing down opponents. McIlroy never led during the first three rounds of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, but three successive birdies on Sunday set him up for victory.

Eventually, he won by two shots.

McIlroy is only the third golfer in the modern game to win four majors at 25 years old after Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. His success coincided with his breakup with star tennis player, Caroline Wozniacki in May this year. Who needs love when you can have major championships?

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GAME.SET.

SINGAPORE SINGAPORE INDOOR STADIUM AT SINGAPORE SPORTS HUB OCTOBER 17-26, 2014

Li Na

Petra Kvitova

Serena Williams

Eugenie Bouchard

Maria Sharapova

Elite competition on court. Electric entertainment off court. The BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global delivers the action with the world’s best entertainers!

Don’t miss any of the action at this 10-day festival of tennis and entertainment.

WTA Finals: Singles & Doubles

WTA Legends Exhibition Oct 20, 22-23, 2014 Singapore Indoor Stadium

Oct 20-26, 2014 Singapore Indoor Stadium

The first-ever WTA Legends event features tennis greats like Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin and Marion Bartoli.

Top 8 players and pairs in the world compete for the final prize of the season.

FREE

The Elusive Chanteuse Show Oct 24, 2014 National Stadium

Player Practice Sessions

O

Oct 17-26, 2014 OCBC Arena and Singapore Indoor Stadium

Oct 17-26, 2014 OCBC Square Enjoy a fun day out at this vibrant interactive entertainment precinct.

Not to be missed!

Mariah Carey concert, live at the National Stadium. One night only!*

FcRt 1E7E-19

Fan Zone

FcRt 1E7E-19 O

Discover the preparation secrets behind the elite performances at scheduled public practice sessions.

WTA Rising Stars Oct 17-19, 2014, OCBC Arena Oct 21, 2014 Singapore Indoor Stadium Asia takes on the rest of the world in a clash of emerging WTA stars.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY wtafinals.sportshubtix.sg

+65 6333 5000 +65 3158 7888

OCBC Bank Cardmembers enjoy 5% off General Admission tickets.

For more information on Racquet Club Hospitality packages, email: WTAFTickets@WSGWorld.com or call +65 6653 9305.

www.WTAFinals.com *Ticket sold separately. Special tennis-and-concert bundles available at www.sportshubtix.sg. #Register at wtafinals.cvent.com/Coachesconference for more information.

The players shown are for illustrative purposes only. Qualification and participation subject to WTA rules. Images courtesy of Getty Images.

Held in

Concert brought to you by

The Locker Room

Private Punishment Sometimes, a little solitude is needed in order to achieve greatness. No mobiles phones, no distractions and nobody to tempt you into small talk; just you and your fitness goals.

Perhaps, just a personal coach to push you to your limits.

Although private spaces can be really hard to find especially in densely populated Singapore. However, if you look hard enough, you’ll be able to find gyms like Designed Fitness.

Like all good gyms, Designed Fitness, located in Chinatown, is stacked with top-of-the-line equipment, machines and weights. But what’s special about this 1,000-square-feet gym is

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that it dedicates its entire space to you for the duration of your training session. This way, you’ll spend every single minute of your there working out instead of waiting, or hunting for that misplaced set of dumbbells.

The place is owned and run by Erik Gunawan, who sees himself as a specialist in functional and circuit training, body conditioning and plyometrics. He believes that improving one’s overall fitness can facilitate better sports performance and prevent injuries.

In other words, he will work you hard at Designed Fitness.

As it seems, “me time” has just gotten more intense, and productive.

COMPETE TRENDS, ANALYSIS AND KEY HAPPENINGS

Extreme Engineering F1 and watchmaking are like two peas in a pod Page 38

RoLEX SPECIAL

TIMEKEEPER EXTRAORDINARIE Many prestigious motor racing events count on the supreme accuracy of Rolex to keep track of the timing of its competitors TEXT: Tony Tan PHOTOs: rolex

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I

t can be said that Rolex is to motorsports what fuel is to a racecar. These two are almost inseparable. The Swiss watchmaker has been involved with competitive racing for well over 50 years and till today, motor racing remains one of its key pillars where the fields of sports and culture are concerned.

Going the Distances These events are like marathons; and they truly epitomise the saying: To finish first, you must first finish. The drivers and cars go through extreme conditions and those who come up on top are truly champions in every sense of the word.

At the top of the various categories of endurance races sits two iconic ones – the 24 Heures du Mans (24 Hours of Le Mans) and the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

The former celebrated its 90th anniversary last year and it is the most famous as well as the oldest sports car endurance race in the world. Rolex has been a proud partner and Official Timepiece for the 24 Heures du Mans since 2001.

Vehicles ranging from super-fast prototypes to GT racecars (based on road cars) do battle on the 13.6km-long Circuit de la Sarthe over two days, with the winner clocking well over 5,000km.

This year, the team from Audi Sport Team Joest consisting of Switzerland’s Marcel Fässler, Germany’s André Lotterer and France’s Benoît Tréluyer won the event. They drove the Audi R18 e-tron Quattro and clocked a total of 5165.39km, or 379 laps.

Their nearest competitor was three laps behind.

Sebastian Vettel at the Qualifying session of the Formula 1 Grand Prix De Monaco 2014

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RoLEX SPECIAL

Equally captivating, dramatic and demanding is the Rolex 24 At Daytona. As the race’s name would suggest, Rolex’s involvement in this race is very significant; it has been the Title Sponsor since 1992, an enduring partnership of over 20 years and counting. Like the Le Mans event, it features similar classes of cars. In fact, a look at the long list of winners (the event was first run in the late 1950s) sees drivers who have won both races.

The key difference with the 24 Heures du Mans is that the race is conducted entirely over a closed course within the Daytona International Speedway arena.

Another special feature of the Rolex 24 At Daytona is the line-up of competitors. Hollywood celebrities have regularly competed at the race, often teaming-up with professional drivers. The list of actors include Patrick Dempsey, comedian Tim Allen, Gene Hackman and arguably the most famous of them all, Paul Newman.

Cosmograph Daytona Everose gold

Rolex has been the Title Sponsor of 24 At Daytona since 1992, an enduring partnership of over 20 years and counting

A Desirable Timekeeper

A specially engraved Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was presented to the winner of the 2014 Rolex 24 At Daytona, along with the Champion's Trophy

Introduced in 1963, the Rolex Daytona (as it is more commonly called) is a mechanical, self-winding chronograph. It is the only chronograph timepiece in Rolex’s line up, and arguably the most coveted chronograph timepiece in the world. #2 Audi Sport Team Joest, overall winner of the 82nd 24 Heures Du Mans crossing the finish line followed by #1 Audi Sport Team Joest

Inspired by races, racecar drivers and motorsport aficionados, the renowned timepiece, measuring 40mm in diameter, is still seen on the wrist of acclaimed racers. However, it was Newman who the chronograph will always be associated with as the American actor almost always wore one whenever he raced.

Designed to meet the demands of professional racing, the Daytona is able to measure time

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intervals to within oneeighth of a second with the centre chronograph seconds hand, while the two counters on the dial at 9 and 3 o’clock display elapsed time in hours and minutes respectively. Equally noteworthy is a bezel with tachymetric scale that allows drivers to perfectly measure average speeds of up to 400km/h.

Available in a variety of precious materials, from stainless steel to different varieties of gold, the Daytona is Chronometer certified; like many Rolex models.

It is also worthy to note that the winner of the Rolex 24 at Daytona has traditionally been presented with a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona as part of the prize.

Sir Malcolm Campbell gained the world speed record on Land and on Water at various times during the 1920s and 1930s using a vehicle called Bluebird

Rolex is also lending its expertise in the development of two cockpit instruments within the Bloodhound SSC, the analogue speedometer and chronograph

Sir Malcolm Campbell in a Bluebird car on Daytona beach

Faster than a Speeding Bullet Going supersonic on land is another goal that Rolex has always been a part of.

- jet, rocket and internal combustion - that produce more than 135,000 horsepower or, the equivalent of 180 Formula 1 racing cars.

Way back in 1935, the brand was associated with Sir Malcom Campbell, a British race driver and motoring journalist. That year, Sir Malcom, piloting the World Land Speed Record car, Bluebird, with a Rolex Oyster on his wrist, surpassed the 300 mile per hour (483km/h) barrier by averaging 301.337 miles per hour over two runs.

Rolex is also lending its expertise in the development of two cockpit instruments within the Bloodhound SSC, the analogue speedometer and chronograph. Apart from being fail-safe backup instruments to measure speed and time, they also assist the driver in precision braking from 1,000 mph to a complete stop. The chronograph is essential for timekeeping during the one-hour turnaround. In order for the land speed record to stand, the car is required to make two runs in opposite directions within an hour. The average speed over the two runs is then measured.

In keeping with the spirit of pushing the limit of what a land vehicle is capable of, Rolex joined the Bloodhound SSC World Land Speed Record project in 2011 as the Official Timing Partner. The team is aiming to set a new record of 1,000 miles per hour (1,600 km/h) before 2016.

The car is 14m long and it is built for extreme aerodynamic forces. Powering the car are three engines

Currently, the land speed record stands at 763.035 mph (over a mile), set by Andy Green with a ThrustSSC. Green will also get behind the wheel of the Bloodhound SSC.

(L-R) 2014 Rolex Bloodhound SSC instruments reveal – the Rolex speedometer and the Rolex chronograph

Bloodhound Supersonic Car

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RoLEX SPECIAL

Formula 1 Gran Premio De España Pirelli 2014

A Good Vintage Evident from its support of the events happening during the Monterey Classic Car Week, Rolex is not only about exhilarating speeds and powerful engines. The brand also celebrates the grace, beauty and charm of exquisite vintage cars.

In particular, Rolex is the Official Timekeeper of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance since 1997. It features the most striking and iconic automobiles of their respective periods.

Complementing the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, is the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, presented by Rolex.

Vintage cars traverse through the hills and valleys of the visually arresting Pebble Beach area.

In addition, Rolex is the proud sponsor of the Goodwood Revival in the United Kingdom, an event devoted to race cars built before 1966, as well as the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (US), which brings over 600 vintage cars to California’s Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.

Since 1950, classic automobile owners have been bringing their finelyrestored vehicles to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It’s an event for the cars’ owners to get together, but also for folks who love fine automotive design to get a look

A Tojeiro-bristol from 1953 leads a clutch of cars through the Chicane during the 2013 Freddie March Memorial Trophy

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Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2014

Best in Class The pinnacle of motor racing and one of only three World Championship race series (as certified by the FIA – the governing body of international motorsports), Formula 1 sees the fastest cars on the planet, piloted by the best racers.

In 2013, Rolex became a major long-term partner of Formula 1. Being the sport’s Official Timepiece reinforces the brand’s commitment to motor racing at the very highest level.

“Rolex watches are symbolic of the quest for the highest level of performance and reliability that is epitomised by Formula 1. Over the last 50 years both Rolex and Formula 1 have grown into worldleading aspirational brands and there will be many fantastic opportunities that we can enjoy together,” said Gian Riccardo Marini, then Chief Executive Officer of Rolex SA. Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of Formula 1 Group added, “Without question Rolex is the partner of choice for a world class sporting series like Formula 1.

The brand’s prestige, the excellence of its watches as well as Rolex’s passionate and long-standing commitment to motor sports gives it true credibility.”

As the Official Timepiece, Rolex will accurately provide the time in different locations during each Grand Prix. The watchmaker’s logo will also be positioned around the circuit and at several corners during all the races.

In a sport where thousandths-of-a-second is often the difference between winning and losing, Rolex’s presence in Formula 1 is due to develop over the coming seasons. In fact, the brand was also the Title Sponsor for the 2013 and 2014 Australian Grands Prix, and this season is the first time that the iconic Rolex crown will appear on global Formula 1 TV global coverage for all 19 races.

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Sir Jackie Stewart purchased his first Rolex, which was a yellow-gold Day-Date in 1966 just after he won the Indianapolis 500. He became a Rolex Ambassador in 1968 when Andre Heiniger, the Director of Rolex asked if Rolex could use his likeness in Rolex ads

“Having worked with Rolex for more than 40 years and given my ongoing involvement in Formula 1, it is fantastic to see Rolex become an integral part of the fabric of Formula 1.”

- Sir Jackie Stewart

(L-R) Sir Jackie Stewart, Rolex Testimonee; Mr Gian Riccardo Marini, Chief Executive Officer of Rolex SA; Mr Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of the Formula 1 group; Mr Jean-Claude Killy, Rolex Testimonee and member of the Board of Directors of Rolex SA

The Flying Scot Racing driver Sir Jackie Stewart, one of the most celebrated Formula 1 racers, has been a Testimonee (like an ambassador) of Rolex since the late 1960s. Sir Jackie won three Formula 1 World Championships (1969, 1971 and 1973) and 27 Grand Prix races.

He is also widely recognised for his commitment to driver safety during the 1970s. Among the many things he campaigned for, Stewart pressed for mandatory seat belt usage and full-face helmets for drivers, which have become unthinkable omissions for modern Grands Prix.

“Having worked with Rolex for more than 40 years and given my ongoing involvement in Formula 1, it is fantastic to see Rolex become an integral part of the fabric of Formula 1,” said Sir Jackie. “Both Rolex and Formula 1 have a strong desire to push the limits of technology and it’s exciting to see Formula 1 entering a new and very important era of technological change. It’s only right that Formula 1 should be leading the way with the integration of this innovative technology and I’m sure we will enjoy some great racing too.”

In 1966, after a very successful Indianapolis 500 qualifying session, Sir Jackie bought his first Rolex, a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date.

And evidently, he became a big fan of the brand. When caracingnews.com asked him how many Rolex watches he owns, he replied that “it’s either eight or nine, but my favourite is a Platinum Day-Date with Presidential bracelet.”

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WORKING WITH THE WIND Beauty versus practicality is the perpetual struggle every racecar designer encounters. Here is a run-down of the sport’s milestones where aerodynamics is concerned TEXT: Tony Tan PHOTOS: Mercedes

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ince the 1970s, twenty years after the birth of Formula One, and up until the present day, aerodynamics has played an increasingly important role in the design of the racecar.

As the contest between the teams became more serious and competitive, this relentless pursuit of on-track performance via aerodynamics is the major factor why F1 cars look so different from the 1950s and 1960s look totally different to the ones that take to the grid in Grands Prix held in the 21st century.

Back in 1950 when sport was first created, and throughout the first decade, race machines were frontengined vehicles packaged around lithe bodywork with no wings and diffusers of any sort. The bright red-coloured Maserati 250F, designed in 1954, with its curvaceous silhouette was a great example of a racecar belonging to the era.

Though not related entirely to aerodynamics, the first major change in F1 design began with the British Cooper team (in 1959) and their Cooper T51 racecar – the first to sport an engine mounted behind the driver i.e. rearengined. This new philosophy was swiftly adopted by many other teams and by 1961, all racecars featured the same engine placement. This feature completely altered the nature of F1 design, as their success swiftly prompted other teams to adopt this philosophy, with every F1 car on the grid being rear-engined by 1961.

The following decade saw the low-slung bullet design dominate the sport. A fine example of this style of bodywork was the Lotus 25 which was introduced in 1963. The gentle curves of the car gave it the look of a rocket and by the mid-1960s, most of the F1 teams were from the UK. All of them followed the design of the T25.

One team decided to be different though. Obviously, it was not a British outfit. The Ferrari team, led by the charismatic Enzo Ferrari, first introduced wings to their race vehicles in 1968. Their first attempt at this visually striking design proved to be a reasonable success and while they still trailed some of the other teams, the 312 racecar and its variants eventually battled their way to numerous victories by the end of the 1960s.

The first major change in F1 design began with the British Cooper team (in 1959) and their Cooper T51 racecar

Moving into the 1970s, aerodynamics went through a phase of brisk development and change that altered the look of the racecars. Many teams favoured wider and bigger cars, complete with large noses and sizeable rear wings. The 1972 Lotus 72 was the first with the wedgeshaped design that became the norm throughout the decade. This design showcased radiators that were fitted on either side of the engine, at the rear – a concept which is still retained today. The car also had broader wings.

Once again, Ferrari chose a different route from the other teams with their 312T. While most other cars on the grid appeared to be wider and stockier in design, the Italian machine displayed a more sculpted and narrow design.

Nelson Piquet won the 1983 championship with a Brabham BMW BT 52

The low-slung bullet design, as seen on the Clark Lotus 25, characterised race cars of the 1960s

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The Ferrari F2012 is often regarded as having the ugliest design in F1 history.

The car finished second in the 2012 World Constructors’ Championship The turbocharged McLaren MP4/4 was the most iconic of the sleek, 1980s design philosophy

The 1980s witnessed an explosion of technological advances in F1, with many teams experimenting with new design concepts. The two most significant racecars were the 1983 Brabham BT52 and the 1988 McLaren MP4/4.

The Brabham was unique as it was the only one to ditch the traditional wedge-shaped design. The team placed the radiators right at the back of the car, thus endowing it with a dart-like front, and a very wide rear.

Despite the success of the BT52, its design was not imitated by other teams, mostly because the upcoming turbocharged engines needed more voluminous fuel tanks, and this rendered the design impractical.

The turbocharged McLaren MP4/4, on the other hand, was the most iconic of the sleek 1980s design philosophy. With its elongated, narrow shape, the car was the epitome of the now traditional “coke-bottle” design that is characterised by a gradual tapering of the bodywork, from the front to the rear, with only the radiators “sticking out” and adding to the width.

For the 1990s, many of the innovations of the previous decade were carried over. Two noteworthy racecars of this period were the Tyrrell 019 (1990) and the championship-winning 1998 McLaren MP4/13. The former, while not a competitive car, was a notable car as it was the first to employ the raised front wing concept.

This technical innovation was copied by most other teams at the time and it is still used in the sport.

The MP4/13 did not feature much design breakthrough.

However, it highlighted perfectly, the intricacies of aerodynamics in F1 design such as the suspension set-up that showcased an increasing attention to detail. In fact, aerodynamicists were modifying every part of the car so that it can utilise the airflow more optimally.

The 2000s have so far proved to be the pinnacle of aerodynamic influence in F1 with the two extreme cars being the 2008 McLaren MP4/23 and the 2012 Ferrari F2012. The McLaren was the last of the race machines that was designed with lesser restrictions, owing to a change in regulations introduced in 2009 which outlawed body parts such as barge boards and winglets. The MP4/23 ultimately proved that every component on the

Every component on the exteriors of the McLaren MP4/23 is meant for performance. There’s no room for aesthetics

car, which was exposed to the wind, was created solely for performance, leaving little or no room for conventional beauty.

This season’s winningest car the Mercedes F1 W05 Hybrid

Love it or loathe it, aerodynamics will continue to play a major role in F1 racecar design as teams continue to search for that fractionof-a-second advantage over one another.

This obsession with aerodynamics is also the reason why the F2012 will always be remembered as having one of the ugliest designs in recent memory. As a result of a further rule change introduced in 2012, implemented to improve safety, many teams had no choice but to design their cars with an unsightly “step” in the nose. Ferrari, however, took this to the next level with a snout which looked more like it was sketched by a kindergarten student than by an expert design team. The very high nose served to reinforce the lack of finesse displayed by the stepped front end of the car.

However, just when everyone thought that the sport had hit rock bottom design-wise, this year’s batch of racecars proved that where looks are concerned, the situation can get even more desperate.

The 2014 rules have made the cars resemble anteaters.

Or proboscis monkeys. Drooping snouts are the order of the day as the FIA’s new rule states that the nose cannot be higher than 185mm. This is to minimise the injury risk to drivers should they get involved in “T-bone” collisions.

Expectedly, the new regulation posed a challenge to the designers who preferred a raised nose which could optimise airflow under the car. Trying to meet these two targets has led to a slew of hideous designs, the worst being that of the Caterham CT05 with its vulgar-looking nose appendage.

Love it or loathe it, aerodynamics will continue to play a major role in F1 racecar design as teams continue to search for that fraction-of-a-second advantage over one another. They have no choice really. Nowadays, the commercial interests of the teams are strongly linked to their performance on track.

Every drop in position in the final standings of the Constructors’ Championship will result in an outfit receiving millions of dollars lesser. And this reduction in money earned is often the difference between being a front-runner for the next season, or a mid-table occupier.

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Extreme Engineering Inspired by the verve, spirit and grandeur of F1 racing, Richard Mille created the very technologically impressive RM 50-01

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here are many parallels between watchmaking and Formula One racing. Both require precision, attention to details as well as plenty of technological innovation, just to name a few. Which is why it is hardly surprising to find many F1 teams collaborating with famous watch brands for marketing and co-branding opportunities.

More often than not, the collaboration often results in limited edition timepieces that appeal to fans and watch enthusiasts.

For one, Richard Mille has teamed up with the Lotus F1 Team since 2013.

The former is often lauded for its fresh approach to watchmaking. Its landmark RM 001 Tourbillon was created using atypical tooling techniques and space-age materials. The timepiece also came in a visually arresting tonneau shaped case that housed the intricate movement. It was a watch that captured the imagination of collectors everywhere. Since the iconic RM 001, Richard Mille has evolved into a global, and very desirable watch brand.

Lotus had similar beginnings in F1. In the 1950s, team founder Colin Chapman challenged the norm by experimenting with lightweight materials and relied heavily on his knowledge of aeronautical engineering that he had gained while in the Royal Air Force. Things fell into the place in in the 60s and 70s, as the team won seven constructors championships and six drivers’ championships during that period.

After a hiatus in the 1990s and 2000s, Lotus F1 Team returned in 2012. Currently, Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado and France’s Romain Grosjean flies the flag for the team.

Grosjean has been with the team since its inauguration. Before competing in F1, the Frenchman was was the 2007 F3 Euroseries drivers’ champion, the inaugural GP2 Asia Series champion, the 2011 GP2 Asia Series and GP2 Series champion and is the first and only (as of July 2013) two-time GP2 champion holding both the GP2 Asia series and main GP2 series titles simultaneously.

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“Many people know the high degree of technical expertise, innovation and sophistication that one can find in Richard Mille watches, and no outfit could be better suited to our brand values than Lotus F1 team.

This mutual love for exemplary technique and refinement represents an asset for a strong and constructive partnership.”

- Richard Mille

Grosjean is also the protagonist in the story between the Lotus F1 Team and Richard Mille.

Richard Mille created the RM 50-01 G Tourbillon Chronogragh G Sensor Lotus F1 Team Romain Grosjean that is obviously, dedicated to the team and the driver.

One of the most interesting features of the RM 50-01 is the mechanical G sensor, which is very relevant in F1 racing. The watch is able to pick up the G forces accumulated by the driver during rapid deceleration and displays it via the dial. Equally intriguing in the function indicator that is inspired by an F1 driver’s need to get as much information as he can about the car.

The function indicator shows whether the movement is in Winding, Neutral or Handsetting mode.

The movement is assembled on a rigid baseplate of grade 5 titanium, offering exceptional stability and improving the functioning of the movement.

And through technical applications and the correct use of space-age materials, energy wastage in the movement is minimised.

Collectively, the movement is assembled from more than 500 components. Like an F1 car, the engineering, design and assembly required on this complicated timepiece is simply mind boggling.

Even the case has an interesting technology story. It is created from carbon NTPT, a new carbon material that is exclusive to Richard Mille.

Romain Grosjean became the first driver since 1994 to receive a race ban after causing a multi-car pile up at the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix. In 2013 he remained with Lotus, taking 6 podiums

This material is created by compressing and heating more than 600 layers of woven carbon filaments that are 30 microns thick. The result is a carbon material that is strong and rigid enough to withstand the rigours of any F1 race.

There are only 30 watches in circulation, each accompanied by hand assembled 1/5th scale model of the 2014 Lotus F1 racing car.

Indeed, the Richard Mille RM 50-01 encapsulates the spirit of the Lotus F1 Team perfectly in a compact, and very beautiful, package.

September 2014

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THE SPEED OF NIGHT

Since the inaugural race back in 2008, the Singapore Grand Prix has been one of the most popular rounds on the annual F1 calendar TEXT: Tony Tan

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ormula One has been on a charge, especially in Asia and one of the most watched rounds is none other than our very own F1 Singapore Grand Prix, which is into its eighth edition this year.

This is hardly surprising, given that there is no other race like it on the calendar.

From the eye-catching location of the Marina Bay street circuit, which runs past the island republic’s skyscrapers and monuments, to the race being the only Grand Prix held after dusk. Throw in the heat, humidity, bumpy track and twisty turns, and many consider the Singapore Grand Prix to be the season’s most gruelling, or at least most unrelenting.

When it comes to challenges, the list is long: Like in Monaco, it is a street circuit, but it is possible to overtake other cars as it is wider in certain areas; the asphalt is uneven; the air temperature is extremely high and so is the humidity; the race is run at night, and last but not least, it is far from the European home bases of many teams.

“The round in Singapore is an incredible one,” said Christian Horner, the team principal of the Red Bull Racing team, whose driver Sebastian Vettel has won the event the last three years. “It’s the most physical and the most mechanically demanding race on the calendar now, and it poses a real test for any driver. Duration-wise, it is also one of the longest, always lasting close to two hours.”

In terms of pure spectacle, the Singapore Grand Prix beats all the new races and it is only rivalled by the one in Monaco. Running through the central business district and past the skyscrapers of the high-flying business centre, the 5km-long track also winds its way around a few classic colonial vestiges such as the St. Andrew’s Cathedral, City Hall, Civilian War Memorial, Padang and Old Supreme Court Building. The landmark Raffles Hotel is, of course, within walking distance.

This year the Marina Bay Street Circuit will welcome the Masters Historic Formula One cars, which will race for the first time under lights in Singapore

“Singapore Airlines are thrilled to be taking up the title sponsorship of one of the most exciting races on the calendar, and we are especially pleased to be doing so in the lead-up to Singapore’s 50th birthday next year.”

Running the race after the sun has set proved to be such a huge success that other race organisers (especially those in the Middle East and Asia) have either imitated it or said that they will look into the feasibility of doing so. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix runs partly in daylight and partly after nightfall; the Malaysian Grand Prix starts later in the afternoon but without artificial lighting; and the promoters in Bahrain have been looking into installing a lighting system similar to the one used in Singapore.

The Marina Bay Circuit employs more than 1,500 light projectors, each with 2,000-watt, white-metal halide lamps, which produce illumination that is four times that of an average sports stadium. Before the inaugural race was held in 2008, teams and drivers were concerned about the intensity of the lights (whether they would be blinding) and the colour of the beams emitted. However, when the cars first hit the track, all fears were unfounded.

Some drivers even commented that visibility was better than in bright sunshine.

The race sees the drivers complete 61 laps around the Marina Bay Circuit. Run anti-clockwise (another rarity in F1), the course has 23 corners, two of which will be taken at more than 160km/h per hour. As Horner pointed out, all previous editions of the Singapore Grand Prix ran close to the full two-hour limit, a duration imposed by the FIA.

Further proof of how unforgiving the layout of the track can be is the fact that the Safety Car (usually called into action when a huge accident has occurred) has made at least one appearance in every event since 2008.

Singapore is also the only Formula One circuit that incorporates two bridges.

Drivers either love it or hate it, according to Scuderia Ferrari racing driver Fernando Alonso. “There’s no compromise. The people who don’t like it never find the right way to tackle the circuit. They lack confidence in some corners and find it difficult to ‘attack’ in qualifying.

And we know how important qualifying is on a street circuit where overtaking is not easy,” said Alonso.

Martin Whitmarsh, ex-team principal of the McLaren Mercedes team, defined Singapore’s stature among the newer races in the sport’s global scheme of things. “It’s a showcase Grand Prix for F1,” he said.

“And it’s an event that epitomises F1 perfectly. It manages to retain all the time-honoured characteristics that makes a Grand Prix so fascinating. But the fusion of its oriental setting, glittering skyline and demanding high-speed course make it feel more like you’re watching a Hollywood movie than an international sport.

And that’s marvellous.”

It is also this irresistible combination of factors that has attracted our national carrier, Singapore Airlines to sign as the Title Sponsor of the race. Aptly, this year’s race is named the “2014 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix”.

“We are thrilled to be taking up the title sponsorship of one of the most exciting races on the calendar, and we are especially pleased to be doing so in the lead-up to Singapore’s 50th birthday next year,” said the company’s CEO, Goh Choon Phong.

“Singapore Airlines has always supported the development of both sports and tourism. Through our involvement with the world’s first F1 night race we will be able to enhance both for the benefit of Singaporeans and visitors alike.”

- Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines

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OLD HANDS, NEW GAME The BNP Paribas WTA Finals presented by SC Global will bring the world’s best tennis players to Singapore. The tournament also signals a new era of tennis development in the Lion City and the region TEXT: Marie Monozca PHOTOS: gettyimages and WTA

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he BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global is a trailblazing event in so many ways. It is a tournament with one of the toughest entry criteria, as only the top eight singles and top eight doubles teams are eligible and it offers the largest prize money (US$6.5 million) as well as world ranking points only after the Grand Slams. There has never been a tournament of such calibre held in the region, ever.

Melissa Pine will oversee strategic planning and delivery of the event as it heads to Singapore in 2014. She will also work to grow the WTA business in Asia and play a central role in establishing a new Singapore office for the organisation

But unlike other sporting spectacles here like the Formula One race or golf’s Barclays Singapore Open, the WTA Finals will not be a circus act where the organisers come to town, set up the place and leave once everything is over The World Tennis Association (WTA) is here to stay, at least, for the next five years when the tournament is held in Singapore.

Apart from generating interest for the game, the WTA Finals will be used to spearhead the organisation’s medium-term plan to grow and market tennis in the world’s largest market, Asia.

In charge of executing this groundbreaking plan are two deeply experienced WTA executives whose track records for excellence are unquestionable. Ryan Sandilands and Melissa Pine have been on the ground developing tennis markets around the world.

A POWERFUL PAIRING Sandilands was appointed as the Regional CEO for Asia-Pacific at the WTA last year. He brings close to two decades of sports and entertainment experience to his new role.

“I am thrilled to welcome Ryan to our team and know that with his entrepreneurial experience across sports, entertainment and brand development in Asia he will build upon our success and take women`s tennis to new heights throughout Asia-Pacific.”

- Stacey Allaster, chairman and CEO of WTA

Ryan Sandilands

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Most recently, Sandilands served in Beijing as managing director of North Asia at Octagon, a leading sports marketing agency. In that capacity, Sandilands was tasked with expanding Octagon’s global footprint into North Asia. He achieved both commercial and operational success through major clients such as MasterCard, China Telecom, Samsung, BMW and Johnson & Johnson, along with a strengthening of key governmental relations. More impressively, he accomplished all these in one of the newest and most challenging growth areas in the world.

The marketing and politics alumnus from Scotland’s University of Strathclyde also spent eight years expanding the brand awareness and revenues of Cirque de Soleil, overseeing both corporate alliances and managing offices in Montréal, London, Shanghai and Sydney. In that role, he was responsible for significant increases in sponsorship revenues, the launch of a successful licensing program and expansion of touring shows to new markets across Asia-Pacific.

Sandilands’ extensive communications and brand management experience also includes having worked at Carat, Mindshare, Ketchum PR and Bell Pottinger PR. That diverse range of experience has helped him work across various sectors for a well-rounded approach to brand growth through his career.

Pine is the tournament director for the WTA Finals. And in her other role as the WTA Vice-President for Asia-Pacific, she oversees strategic planning and capitalising on business growth opportunities and the development of WTA’s fan base in Asia.

Photo by Nike

Five-time Grand Slam winner, Maria Sharapova

The former US NCAA Division 1 player earned a tennis scholarship to Washington State University after a stellar junior career in Canada. After completing her MBA, she moved to New York to join the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

Pine has been with the WTA since 2008. Prior to the present appointment, she was the manager of strategic projects. Her latest success, working out of WTA’s London office, included the planning of the WTA Pre-Wimbledon Party as well as leading every aspect of the TEB Paribas WTA Championship-Istanbul. Under her watch, the Istanbul event has become the most successful WTA Championships in history two years running.

SHOWCASING SINGAPORE Singapore’s friendly economic environment and its location as a crossroads of Asia have been crucial factors that attracted investors for decades. And though it is not really known as a tennis-mad country, Sandilands does not see this as an obstacle to the WTA’s success.

Its potential as a broader entertainment attraction far outweighs the challenges.

“We’re excited about making this our home,” Sandilands admits, on setting an office in Singapore. “For the next five years, Singapore will be the home of the most prestigious event on the WTA calendar – the BNP Paribas WTA Finals presented by SC Global. With this in mind, and with the Asia Pacific region continuing to be a key focus for the WTA, it makes perfect sense for us to establish a base here.

Taking a leaf out of the Formula One organiser’s book, there will be plenty of side events happening during the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

“We’re expanding the range of activities to ensure that there’s more entertainment on offer for newcomers to

“For the next five years, Singapore will be the home of the most prestigious event on the WTA calendar the BNP Paribas WTA Finals presented by SC Global.”

Chinese Tennis Superstar, Li Na

- Melissa Pine, WTA Vice-President for Asia-Pacific

Photo by Rolex

WTA launched the “Road To Singapore”, a season-long campaign which will see the WTA stars through their journey from the beginning of the year to its culmination during the season-ending WTA Championships in Singapore

tennis as well as tennis fanatics,” explains Sandilands.

“We’re bringing in some tennis legends, who’ll be turning back the clock and competing against each other. There is also a WTA Rising Stars tournament that showcases the next generation of world stars.”

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World Number One, Serena Williams

WTA TRIVIA • Singapore is first city in Asia Pacific region to host the WTA Finals • 2014 will be the 44th staging of the WTA Finals (it began in 1972 and previously known as WTA Championships)

Off the courts, there will be a music event, industry forum and a Fan Fest event, where fans can mingle with their favourite players.

“Overall, this is going to be the most inspirational and exciting WTA Finals in our history and it’s going to showcase the best of Singapore to a world audience.”

On a similar note, Pine reckons that their work has been made easier because of the global appeal of the game’s superstars, as exemplified by the reception that WTA legend Chris Evert and WTA Rising Star Genie Bouchard received at the launch in January this year. The recognisability and marketability of tennis superstars open doors and bring a familiarity that puts everybody at ease - fans, stakeholders and sponsors.

“We’ve got some incredible role models who are out there inspiring girls to play tennis on a daily basis.

Favourites such as Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Li Na are being joined by the next crop of rising stars such as Genie Bouchard, Simona Halep and Sloane Stephens,” Pine elaborates. “We can’t just rely on the players though. We’ll continue to work with other

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Photo by Nike

18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert has been named as the Legend Ambassador for the WTA Championships in Singapore stakeholders in the sport such as Sport Singapore and national tennis federations to make the game more accessible so that those who want to play, have the opportunity to do so.”

Singapore will not only be a showcase for the WTA Asia-Pacific for the next five years, but it is also a unifier for other markets showing interest in WTA. Even at this early juncture, neighbouring ASEAN nations are already enquiring about their future plans.

“There have been strong support from the media in neighbouring countries who have helped to promote the event. We expect many fans to make the trip to Singapore from different Asia Pacific nations.”

TENNIS BOOM IN THE HORIZON Currently, there are two other WTA events in South East Asia. The PTT Pattaya Open that has been held in Thailand since 1991, and the BMW Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur that has been held since 2010.

Sandilands notes: “With the spotlight on Asia, we’re feeling positive that there is room for further growth in the region.”

• 9 different cities have hosted the Championships: Boca Raton (1972-1973), Doha (2008-2010), Istanbul (2011-2013), Los Angeles (1974-1976, 2002-2005), Madrid (2006-2007), Munich (2001), New York City (1979-2000) and Oakland (1978) • 7 Players have advanced to the final on their Championships debut; only Serena Williams (2001), Maria Sharapova (2004) and Petra Kvitova (2011) won the title on their debut

BNP PARIBAS WTA FINALS SINGAPORE FACTFILE Date: 17 to 26 October 2014 Venue: Singapore Sports Hub (Singapore Indoor Stadium) Prize Money: S$6,500,000 Surface: Hard/Indoor Draw Size: 8 Singles (Round Robin) 8 Doubles (Single Elimination) Website: www.wtafinals.com

WSG Bags WTA Bid For Singapore The five-year deal to host the WTA Finals in Singapore was made possible by Asia’s leading sports marketing agency, World Sport Group (WSG).

Following a year-long tender process which saw 42 other countries vying for the honour, Singapore becomes the first Asia Pacific city to host one of tennis’ most prestigious events. Previous host cities of the event included New York, Munich and Madrid.

The event will be transformed into a 10-day sports entertainment experience of competition, exhibitions and activities for the fans of women’s tennis in Singapore and around the world.

“The Singapore Indoor Stadium will be configured to host a capacity crowd of up to 10,000,” says

Andrew Georgiou, CEO of WSG who spearheaded Singapore’s winning bid. He added: “The Indoor Stadium would form only one part of the WTA Finals, with the ultimate goal of showcasing all the elements of its parent venue, the Singapore Sports Hub.” Specialising in sports sponsorship, sports content and sports event management, WSG’s involvement in sports goes beyond tennis. From football to golf and cricket, WSG boasts 600 sport event days across Asia-Pacific, and its roster of events includes the AFC Asian Cup, AFF Suzuki Cup, Barclays Singapore Open and the Indian Premier League. The Group also won the bid to build, operate and manage the newly unveiled Singapore Sports Hub.

Despite the unique diversity of the market within Southeast Asia and the continent in general, the sport has always appealed to a very wide market. WTA is banking on the universality, history and inspiration tennis provides to propel the growth of WTA in the region.

“Short-term, the goal is to ensure that the WTA Finals in Singapore event is a huge success for everyone involved,” says Sandilands. “All the stakeholders have different yet complementary objectives and we’re all pulling together to make sure that the goals are achieved. Longer term, we’re looking to continue to grow the WTA brand and women’s tennis in general across the Asia-Pacific region. This has been a commitment for the WTA since we opened our first APAC office in Beijing in 2008. We now have more than 20 tournaments in the region and the sport is in great shape.”

Equally in great shape, is the organisation itself. WTA has an exceptional blend of talent, where teamwork and capability are the prevailing considerations, says Pine.

“I’m extremely lucky to have the chance to be part of the WTA. One of the founding principles of the organisation is equality and so we don’t really think of things in terms of female or male dominated,” she declares. “We’ve got a great team of passionate, talented individuals who are supporting our athletes in putting on an incredible show on court. I’m thrilled that I can play my part here in the APAC region.”

For now, the focus of Pine and Sandilands will be on the inaugural WTA Finals. Already, the sports community in Singapore and its neighbours are abuzz with the level of talent that will be on display. Pine makes a single, optimistic guarantee.

“The only prediction I’ll make is that there’s going to be phenomenal tennis throughout the whole event. It’s the world’s top players competing against each other in every match and you simply won’t find that anywhere else,” Pine adds.

And this is just the first serve.

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Premier Entertainment!

As a new chapter in the history of the Barclays Premier League unfolds, Spencer Robinson sets the scene for what promises to be another season of thrills, spills and controversy

S

trap yourselves in! A new season of high-octane action in the Barclays Premier League (BPL) is already upon us. So you’d better be prepared for a wonderfully unpredictable roller-coaster ride.

Evident from his performances for Chelsea so far, Diego Costa has settled nicely into the English Premier League.

Whether or not you subscribe to the theory that the BPL is the pinnacle of club football, there’s no arguing that it has a lot going for it.

For starters, it’s the most cosmopolitan league on Planet Earth.

Just consider that when it launched in 1992 there were only 11 non-British or Irish footballers in the Premier League. These days there are, on average, around 70 nationalities running on to the pitch in the Premier League any given weekend.

The TV audience for Premier League games is reputed to be 4.7 billion and number of homes reached last season increased 11 per cent to 643 million. In total, the league clocked up close to 200,000 hours of television coverage.

As the 20-team league proudly proclaims on its official website, it’s the world’s league – ‘a global phenomenon, inspiring passion and emotion from Los Angeles and Lagos to Macau and Melbourne’.

Singapore, too, has long been caught up in English football fever.

Photo from adidas

The BPL is also, by some considerable distance, the world’s most widely watched league, broadcast in 212 territories.

If it’s safe to predict that the whole gamut of emotions will be endured, it’s less certain which of the combatants will be celebrating come season’s end in May.

Indeed, on any given weekend over the next nine months, thousands of Singapore residents will cheer on their heroes and vilify the villains as they follow the fluctuating fortunes of their favourite teams.

Those who claim the BPL’s bite is diminished by the departure to Spanish shores of Luis Suarez have clearly not been paying close attention to the men whose pre and post-match interviews will be the source of global intrigue in the weeks and months ahead.

Such is the competitive nature of the league that diehard fans know they’ll need to psyche themselves up for moments of extreme joy… and abject despair.

Indeed, if you’ve been listening to the proclamations of Manuel Pellegrini, Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, Louis Van Gaal and Brendan Rodgers, then you’ll know

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September 2014

Since 1888, a total of 23 clubs have been crowned champions of the English football system. Manchester United have been the most successful team, winning 13 titles. Of the 46 clubs to have competed since the inception of the Premier League in 1992, five have won the title. The current champions are Manchester City, who won the title in the 2013–14 season.

Photo from Nike

Where will Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney play, especially with Angel Di Maria and Falcao in the team?

that the appetite for success among the country’s footballing elite remains insatiable.

Heading into the campaign the storylines are many and varied.

While Wenger still can’t resist a verbal joust with his cross-London rival, don’t expect the likes of Pellegrini or Manchester United’s new supremo to rise to the bait.

As an expert in double Dutch, Van Gaal is sure to be a match for Mourinho.

Will on-loan Frank Lampard provide a flying start to Manchester City’s title defence or can the return of Didier Drogba drive Chelsea back to the summit?

More pertinent is whether he is able to transform United’s fortunes and speedily knit together a championship-winning team.

As the title race headed into its final furlong last year, Mourinho, in typically inimitable fashion, complained about how his poor team was a ‘little horse’.

With notable additions such as Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, this is now very much a thoroughbred squad built in his mould. Make no mistake, anything other than winning the BPL or the Champions League this campaign will be viewed as a rank failure by Mourinho’s boss, Roman Abravomich.

No doubt we’ll be entertained (and bored) at various stages along the way by the so-called mind games of the Portuguese.

Harry Redknapp who is currently manager of Premier League club Queens Park Rangers. He has had a long career in football management starting in 1983 with Bournemouth and is the oldest manager in English professional football

The Old Trafford faithful, who 12 months ago were adhering to Sir Alex Ferguson’s pleas to give time to his successor, David Moyes, are perhaps a little more circumspect this time around, though no less ambitious.

With a new defensive system being touted, a new captain in Wayne Rooney, the fact that there will be no European distractions, and a plethora of star signings, expect United to improve considerably on last season’s dismal seventh-placing.

For periods during the 2013-2014 campaign, Arsenal and Liverpool threatened to reclaim past glories only to stumble at crucial moments.

September 2014

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“Forget about the money and everything. As a kid, you grow up and dream of lifting trophies, I feel like I am living that dream when I do this.

We are building a club. Not just a team that wins trophies every now and again.”

- Vincent Kompany, Manchester City captain

Are either, or both, positioned to go the distance this time around? If you believe Wenger and Rodgers then the answer is a resounding ‘yes’.

After impressive pre-season romps and fruitful transfer market activity, both appear to have greater strength in depth and are better equipped to mount sustained challenges. But the doubters say Liverpool won’t be able to make up for the loss of Suarez while Arsenal’s refusal to bulk up their defensive options could leave them found wanting.

If great expectations go hand-in-hand with being part of the ‘big five’, then there’s great optimism among Roberto Martinez’s Evertonians and Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham that they will break into the top four, giving them the chance to cash in on the riches offered by qualification to the Champions League.

And what of the other end of the table where the scrap to avoid demotion is certain to be as beguiling as it will be nail-biting?

Those who suggest that newly-promoted Burnley, Leicester and Queen’s Park Rangers are prime

Pablo Zabaleta's Manchester City will be among the front runners for the title.

candidates to return immediately from whence they came may find themselves eating humble pie.

QPR, in particular, with Harry Redknapp at the helm, ex-England boss Glenn Hoddle as coach and Rio Ferdinand at the heart of their defence, will prove stout opponents.

Based on their summer of woe, Southampton are among those tipped for a nerve-shredding relegation battle. Given the exodus of star names from the South coast (Lallana, Lovren, Lambert, Shaw and Chambers), new boss Ronald Koeman will do well to reach the 40-point mark that is usually sufficient for top-flight survival.

And there will be no room for complacency from the remainder, any of whom could find themselves in danger of the dreaded drop.

That includes Northeastern foes Newcastle and Sunderland, London protagonists Crystal Palace and West Ham as well as unfashionable Hull City and Swansea.

Photo from Nike

It would be dangerous, also, to over-estimate the prospects of Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion, Stoke and Aston Villa, where Paul Lambert is favourite to win (lose may be a more appropriate term) the annual sack race and be the first manager to be relieved of his duties.

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September 2014

As old rivalries are renewed and new ones forged, for those who are investing their time, money and emotion into the Barclays Premier League it’s worth remembering that the season is a marathon not a sprint.

In the end, though, it’s just a game. Or is it? To paraphrase the late, great Bill Shankly: ‘Football is not a matter of life and death… it’s more important than that’.

MVP THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SPORT’S BIGGEST STARS

Queens Of The Court Ana Ivanovic, Simona Halep and Dominika Cibulkova Page 52

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ueens Of Court Three of the world’s best female players talk to to share their journey to tennis stardom and analyse their chances on dominating the courts at the state-of-the-art Singapore Sports Hub. TEXT: Marie Monozca photos: wta, Getty images and adidas

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“Wimbledon.

It’s such a prestigious event and I’d like to have that title with my name under it.”

- Ana Ivanovic

T

he Road To Singapore WTA Finals is a yearlong challenge that takes the WTA’s best through 54 tournaments spanning 33 countries. Only the the world’s top eight singles players and top eight doubles teams will qualify.

In a world of aces, three queens of the court will be booming through the field when the WTA Finals hits Singapore. One only has Serena Williams standing between her and ultimate supremacy, the other is aiming for another seat in the top-10, and the third is on a steep rise. Will a new venue, a new audience and an even bigger stage see the coronation of a new queen of tennis?

ANA IVANOVIC Ana Ivanovic started as many young and aspiring tennis players do, sitting down in front of the television and admiring the top players in action. In her case, she used to fawn over Monica Seles. Her idol inspired her so much, she took down the number of a local tennis school and nagged her parents to take her for lessons. Her parents relented, Ivanovic took up tennis lessons and the rest, as they say, is history.

Growing up in Belgrade, she simply immersed herself in the sport, and emerged as Junior Wimbledon runner-up in 2004 and WTA Tour’s Most Improved Player twice, in 2005 and 2007. Because of the dedication needed in top-level tennis, she didn’t have what many people would consider a regular childhood. Nevertheless, she took everything in her stride “I try not to look at it as a sacrifice,” says the player ranked ninth by the WTA as of this writing. “I look at it as a choice that we make. There are a lot of decisions you have to make in order to be a professional athlete. Being a tennis professional is my choice and it’s what I love doing.”

Ivanovic broke out in 2008, winning the French Open and a slew of awards: AIPS Women’s Tennis Player of the Year and the International Tennis Writers Association Ambassador of the Year among others. But when asked which Grand Slam she would love to conquer, the 26-year-old didn’t hesitate. “Wimbledon. It’s such a prestigious event and I’d like to have that title with my name under it.”

And though she’s already been ranked the best female player in the world before, Ivanovic knows there’s still a lot for her to accomplish down the road.

Ivanovic was named a UNICEF Ambassador for Serbia in 2007

“Of course, I’m very proud of my Grand Slam win in 2008, being number one, and realising all the dreams that I’ve had,” she says. “But I feel there’s still a lot more to achieve and I’m going to work hard and try to make them happen.”

The six-foot right-hander has become as famous for her looks, as well. From 2005 to 2009 she won the tennisreporters.net Sexiest Female Player Award, then placed 11th on FHM’s Sexiest Women in the World list. This year, she was the only sportswoman to make the Maxim Hot 100 List.

It is not evident from her glamour shots, but the sixthranked player on the Road to Singapore had a hard time dealing with fame at first. After all, she learned how to play in an empty swimming pool, without an audience.

“You know, fame is something that really took getting used to for me. When I started, I didn’t really like playing at centre court,” she explains. “When I became number one, it was overwhelming. But through the years, I learned how to deal with it, and although I’m still not comfortable with it, I see it as part of my job.”

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As for life after tennis, Ana is circumspect: “It’s hard to think about that at this point; I still have a lot of things I want to achieve in my career. But I love fashion, so maybe I’ll go in that direction. Or I could be involved in charity work. I’ll have the opportunity in the next few years and see what would be the best for me.”

SIMONA HALEP World number two Simona Halep, despite her proven abilities, continues to learn the game with every match.

Indeed, her constant evolution is one of the things that makes her a very dangerous and unpredictable opponent. This year, she has her sights set on Singapore, not a good sign for the rest of the field, as she turns her weaknesses into strengths every tournament she plays.

“Every match has something special,” says the 23-yearold professional.

She added: “I am very satisfied with my career and life now. I like that I could win a few titles and so far the most important achievement was reaching the French Open 2014 final. I still think that I can play better.”

Halep first picked up a racquet at four and a half years old, following in her brother’s footsteps.

When she first catapulted to fame as junior French Open champion in 2008, she caught more attention for her bountiful chest than her play. The enviable asset was hurting her game and her back, and left her unable to move up from 500th in the rankings. So at age 17, the Romanian right-hander made the controversial decision to undergo breast reduction surgery.

The bold move paid off. With her newfound agility around the courts, Halep improved her game tremendously and broke into the world’s top-50 in 2012. The following year, she cracked the top-20. That year, she won six of her eight WTA titles, and was named ESPN Center Court’s “Most Improved Player”. Continuing her roll, she made the top-10 in January of this year. Veteran writers marvel not just at her reaction time on the court, but her uncanny anticipation of shots, as well.

Always on top of her mind is her unfinished business at the French Open, her first Grand Slam final, which she lost to Maria Sharapova in three sets. Throughout the history of the sport, many great players have found that their greatest challenge was either winning their first Grand Slam tournament or overcoming that one event that they could never seem to clinch. Halep is very clear about which one is her Moby Dick.

“I would really like to win the French Open as I was so close to winning it this year! I had great memories of Roland Garros when I won the juniors event and I’d love to relive it again,” she says.

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“There are a lot of sacrifices when you want to reach the highest level in tennis; having a very tough schedule every day and you need to respect it 100 per cent.”

- Simona Halep

At her relatively young age, Halep is keenly aware not just of how brief a tennis player’s career is, but how much one has to give up to stay on top.

“There are a lot of sacrifices when you want to reach the highest level in tennis; having a very tough schedule every day and you need to respect it 100 per cent,” she stresses.

“I don’t feel like I’m sacrificing too much because these are normal things for a professional player who wants to reach the top.”

Sounds serious, but Simona reminds would-be athletes that if you’re not having fun, it isn’t going to be worth it.

“Just work hard every day and at the same time enjoy every moment on court,” she shares, adding: “In my opinion, you need to have a dream and follow that dream.”

And Halep is just one rung away from one of her dreams - to be called the best player in the world.

DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA Dominika Cibulkova has always been a trailblazer, setting a new standard for her country by being the first Slovak player to make the finals of a Grand Slam in this year’s Australian Open. Cibulkova, proving that is not a one-hitwonder, made at least the quarterfinals of all four Grand Slam events. It’s been just a foretaste of what she’s been thirsting for in her entire career.

“You always want to do well and do better. The first half of this year was amazing; it was like one big dream coming true, and now I just want to achieve more,” she declares.

Known as an aggressive player whose power allows her deep groundstrokes, Cibulkova loves to attack the net.

The clay specialist, ranked 10th in Road to Singapore, looks ahead to winning two tournaments that have a particularly strong attraction for her.

“I would really like to win the Australian Open,” she admits.

“Before it was my dream to win Roland Garros (French Open), but I would say with the way my game has changed, that I now prefer the hard courts. I would also love to win the Miami Open; it is one of my favourite tournaments.”

The diminutive Slovak first made her mark in 2011, when she beat then world number one Caroline Wozniacki twice. She capped her season with her first WTA title, the Kremlin Cup, surviving Kaia Kanepi in three sets.

The following year, she started notching wins against top10 players, including a straight sets triumph against (then) world number one Victoria Azarenka at the French Open.

This year, she made her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open, losing to Li Na after an impressive string of victories in the earlier rounds.

“I would have to say the emotions that I had after reaching the finals at the Australian Open were the best feelings ever,” she reveals.

Evidently, Cibulkova is enjoying her experience playing tennis at the highest levels. Although, the only drawback Cibulkova finds in being a professional is having to constantly pack your bags and be on the go.

Most young people love the thrill of visiting new places, but not the 25-year-old. From the time she took up tennis when she was eight, her family has only moved once, from Piestany to her current residence in Bratislava, and that was back when she was just 11 years old. Given her background, Cibulkova is not used to moving around so frequently.

“You travel a lot, and that is the worst part for me,” she reveals. “I love being at home. Even though I’m training, I get to see my family and friends and lead a normal life.

I’ll miss all that when I’m travelling.”

On how she handles fame, Cibulkova is nonchalant: “Of course, I get recognised on the streets. I am happy that I have a lot of fans, but it is not a big deal for me, I still want to be a good and down-to-earth person like I have always been.”

She is also cautious about analysing her chances at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals in Singapore. She knows first-hand how tough the competition is.

“There is still a long way to get there and I know it’s going to be hard! After Wimbledon and Roland Garros, there are many girls fighting for it, so it is going to be tough. But it is my goal to achieve it, and I’m going to do my best to get there,” she asserts.

Cibulkova spent her childhood in the Slovakian spa town of Piestany and returns there every autumn to spend a week wallowing in the healing sulphuric mud that attracts visitors from around the world

“I would have to say the emotions that I had after reaching the finals at the Australian Open were the best feelings ever.”

- Dominika Cibulkova

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agical essi Lionel Messi may not have led Argentina to victory at the 2014 World Cup Finals, but his brilliance and achievement on and off the field would put him among the top, if not the top of any “World’s Greatest Players” rankings.

TEXT: Michelle Kaufman PHOTOS: adidas

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T

he comparisons with flamboyant and outspoken legend Diego Maradona have surely become tiresome to Lionel Messi of Argentina, but it was intensified to a whole new decibel at this year’s World Cup tournament.

Nearly three decades after Maradona carried Argentina on his back to the 1986 World Cup title, his quieter more humble heir, Messi, had a chance to duplicate Diego’s heroics, wearing the captain’s arm band against the same exact opponent: Germany.

If Messi had worked his magic, or even played a peripheral role while drawing defenders to open up space for his teammates, he would have put an end to the debate of whether he measures up to Maradona as one of the best players of all time. He certainly would equal El Diego as the best players ever to wear the sky blue and white No. 10.

However, we know how it turned out for Messi and the Argentines.

Despite that loss to the Germans at the Maracana Stadium, Messi’s immense talent and achievements could not be denied.

The Barcelona playmaker is a four-time World Player of the Year. He has won six Spanish La Liga titles, three Champions League trophies, and is currently the all-time Barcelona leading scorer with 354 goals in 425 matches.

Apart from being supremely skilled, Messi is one of the highest-paid players in the world at US$27 million per year; and if that weren’t enough, he earns a staggering US$40 million in endorsements.

Off the field, Messi has been very active in his charity work. He set up the Lionel Messi Foundation in 2007, whose mission is to help kids and adolescents. Since its inauguration, the foundation has supported efforts to build schools, training facilities, parks and even laboratories that research on childhood afflictions. And in 2010, he was made a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.

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Lionel Messi’s mental fortitude was evident even when he was 11.

He had growth hormone deficiency, which needed daily injections over a period of three years. He didn’t find it a chore, as he knew that they were needed in order for him to develop into professional player.

“I think Lionel Messi’s legacy is already secure,” ESPN analyst Ian Darke said, before the final kick-off. “He’s been World Player of the Year four times; he’s broken all kinds of records. We know he’s a great player. I think this would just be the final gloss of paint, if you like, on a wonderful reputation. But I suppose in Argentina, Messi maybe needs this to just move himself alongside Diego Maradona, who almost won it single-handedly in 1986.”

Fellow ESPN commentator Alexi Lalas said the comparisons will never stop because both players are Argentine, leftfooted and diminutive, but if Messi wins a trophy, he “has this final box checked off” and then the only question is which icon is more beloved by the Argentine people.

Maradona probably would always win that contest because he was raised in a shantytown and spent the first six years of his career in Argentina before going to Europe.

On the other hand, Messi moved to Spain as a young boy and has spent his entire professional career there, making him — in the minds of some Argentines — more Spanish than Argentine.

Maradona also was a renegade, a controversial headline waiting to happen, and Argentine fans always were entertained by their flawed hero. Messi is a cautious corporate spokesman.

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“There’s no way (Messi) can ever be Diego Maradona from a personal perspective given what Maradona has meant, the man of the people and all that kind of stuff,” Lalas said. “So from that compare and contrast, it’s never going to happen. But from being the best player ever to play the game, I think if Messi is going to help lead this team to the World Cup and win it, and not just win it but win it in Maracana in Brazil, he would have to be considered, as far as I’m concerned, the best player ever to play the game.”

Messi has waited three World Cups to finally make his mark on the sport’s biggest stage. Eight years ago at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, he was barely 19 and coming off an injury. Argentina lost to Germany in penalty kicks in the quarterfinals. Four years ago in South Africa, Messi did not stand out, and the Germans knocked the Maradonacoached Argentines out again with a 4-0 shocker in the quarterfinal in Cape Town.

Messi scored just one goal in eight World Cup matches in 2006 and ’10, and the question was whether he could achieve as much for his country as he did for his club team. He has taken a giant step toward proving he can here at the 2014 World Cup. He had a goal and assist against Bosnia, a goal against Iran and two goals against Nigeria.

“He’s been World Player of the Year four times; he’s broken all kinds of records.

We know he’s a great player. I think this would just be the final gloss of paint, if you like, on a wonderful reputation.”

- ESPN analyst Ian Darke

But he was relatively quiet in the knockout stage, going scoreless with no assists against Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands.

him off the ball. And whenever he had the chance to put Argentina ahead, it was always saved by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer or got off target.

Before the game against the Dutch in the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup, Oranje coach Louis van Gaal said of Messi: “On the most important stage, he hasn’t always pulled it off.

He’s always found it difficult to do that at international level and he wants to change that at this tournament. We want to stop him, so that’s going to be quite a challenge.”

But for his efforts during the World Cup, Messi was awarded the Golden Ball award, albeit under controversial circumstances. The award is typically given to players who have shone throughout the tournament. He looked forlorn and disappointed when he received it from FIFA president Sepp Blatter. Rightly so, as what he really wanted was the FIFA World Cup.

The Dutch stifled Messi’s creativity by suffocating him with two and sometimes three defenders at almost all times. But Messi still made a difference. His very presence roaming around the middle of the field kept the Dutch on alert, and might have prevented them from attacking as much as they would against another team for fear of leaving Messi unguarded.

Germany certainly had the personnel to do the same as the Dutch, evident from their 4-0 destruction of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the first round. The Germans also have been scoring more than the Argentines. They thrashed Brazil 7-1, whereas Argentina has won all its games by one goal — 2-1, 1-0, 3-2, 1-0 and 1-0.

In the end, like what most neutral fans and journalists expected, the German did more than enough to thwart Messi’s efforts. Whenever Messi flashed a moment of brilliance, a German player was always around to get

“He is that good. He is one of the gods of the game, right up there with Pele and Diego Maradona. There is something about this player that transcends the game in that magical way.”

- TV analyst Ray Hudson

Messi is 27 years old this year so most likely, he’ll be representing Argentina again at the 2018 World Cup tournament in Russia. Who knows? That may be the year when he can finally get his hands on the trophy, and perhaps, move ahead of Maradona in the subjective rankings.

For now, Messi’s flair, sublime skills and match-winning brilliance will continue to mesmerise football fans.

Before Messi played an exhibition in Miami a few years ago, TV analyst Ray Hudson, the former Miami Fusion coach — who is known for hyperbole — said: “The people of Miami should crawl on broken glass just to inhale the exhaust fumes from the bus Messi is traveling on. He is that good. He is one of the gods of the game, right up there with Pele and Diego Maradona. There is something about this player that transcends the game in that magical way.”

Barcelona technical secretary Carles Rexach was so impressed with Messi during a trial, he wanted to offer him a contract immediately.

Rexach grabbed the nearest piece of paper, which was a napkin.

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T

he comparisons with flamboyant and outspoken legend Diego Maradona have surely become tiresome to Lionel Messi of Argentina, but it was intensified to a whole new decibel at this year’s World Cup tournament.

Nearly three decades after Maradona carried Argentina on his back to the 1986 World Cup title, his quieter more humble heir, Messi, had a chance to duplicate Diego’s heroics, wearing the captain’s arm band against the same exact opponent: Germany.

If Messi had worked his magic, or even played a peripheral role while drawing defenders to open up space for his teammates, he would have put an end to the debate of whether he measures up to Maradona as one of the best players of all time. He certainly would equal El Diego as the best players ever to wear the sky blue and white No. 10.

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However, we know how it turned out for Messi and the Argentines.

AGICAL ESSI Lionel Messi may not have led Argentina to victory at the 2014 World Cup Finals, but his brilliance and achievement on and off the field would put him among the top, if not the top of any “World’s Greatest Players” rankings.

Despite that loss to the Germans at the Maracana Stadium, Messi’s immense talent and achievements could not be denied.

The Barcelona playmaker is a four-time World Player of the Year. He has won six Spanish La Liga titles, three Champions League trophies, and is currently the all-time Barcelona leading scorer with 354 goals in 425 matches.

Apart from being supremely skilled, Messi is one of the highest-paid players in the world at US$27 million per year; and if that weren’t enough, he earns a staggering US$40 million in endorsements.

Off the field, Messi has been very active in his charity work. He set up the Lionel Messi Foundation in 2007, whose mission is to help kids and adolescents. Since its inauguration, the foundation has supported efforts to build schools, training facilities, parks and even laboratories that research on childhood afflictions. And in 2010, he was made a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.

TEXT: MICHELLE KAUFMAN PHOTOS: ADIDAS

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Designation: Email address: Date of Birth:

AWAY DAY EXOTIC AND EXCLUSIVE GETAWAYS

Cool Runnings The Antarctic Ice Marathon is an extreme race in more ways than one Page 68

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Fairways And Dreams Whoever coined the classic adage, “Money can’t buy everything” must have been turned down by one of the following prestigious golf clubs whose by-invitation-only policy or rigid membership criteria have shattered the dreams of many a golfer.

TEXT: Marie Monozca

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E

ver since Tiger Woods burst onto the scene in the 1990s, it seems golf has gained a sudden mass appeal and shed some of its elitist image. Indeed, Woods’ winning ways and his multiracial/ multicultural profile has transcended generations, genders, cultures and socioeconomic strata leading to golf’s heyday.

The sport’s unprecedented growth in the 90s has spawned hundreds of new golf courses, golf academies and countless golf equipment and fashion brands. However, despite this tectonic shift in the way golf is perceived as no longer the preserve of the privileged few, the fact remains that golf can never be the sport of the hoi polloi. One may very well afford the latest customised golf equipment or wear bespoke threads or learn the game’s fundamentals from a highly acclaimed golf guru but not everyone can be a member of the THE fabled exclusive club. At the height of the golf boom, few of these private clubs stuck to their guns, bucked the trend and ditched the golf boom wagon.

Photo by Tom Brezeale

Call them selective, snobbish or simply exclusive, these clubs boast top-level playing conditions – all year round– have fewer members, command hefty membership prices, steeped in history and host prestigious tournaments. Most of them conduct a very strict screening process and have an airtight list of criteria sometimes only known to the Club owner or committee. At these clubs, money or pedigree is not enough to warrant an aspiring member an invitation to apply let alone be accorded a red-carpet welcome.

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THE CLUB AT NINE BRIDGES AND HAESLEY NINE BRIDGES (SOUTH KOREA)

Haesley Nine Bridge Club House

Designed by US-based Golfplan, The Club at Nine Bridges’ 18-hole masterpiece remains one of the few Asian courses to have gained World Top 100 ranking.

Golfplan partner David Dale, the man responsible for Nine Bridges, says: “The reason Nine Bridges keeps moving up (in terms of ranking) is that for the last 10 years, we have been continually refining the strategic and aesthetic experience.”

The Haesley Nine Bridges Golf Club House on Jeju Island, South Korea is an example of the stunning design possibilities of engineered glulam timbers.

Consistently rated the number one golf course in South Korea for many years since its opening in 2001, Nine Bridges is also the playground of the rich and famous. Founded by Jay Lee, 45, the grandson of Samsung founder, Lee Byung-chul, a Nine Bridges membership (worth at least S$500,000) is the ultimate status symbol in this golf-crazy nation.

Perhaps, the only Club in Korea that could rival or probably outdo The Club At Nine Bridges in terms of high exacting standards is none other than its sister club, Haesley Nine Bridges. Opened in 2009, it has one highly acclaimed 18-hole golf course, and its members number to about 200. The price of membership is a cool US$1 million dollars. There’s one caveat though: you have to be invited here to be a member. Needless to say, its youthful owner, the has the final say on who makes the cut – or not.

Some of the pioneering members are owners and scions of South Korea’s “chaebol” and industry titans who made their fortune manufacturing cars, mobile devices and electronic components.

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Photo by Tom Brezeale

Intensely private and excellently maintained, playing here makes one feel safe and cocooned from Manila’s din and chaos. Although the scenery is mainly framed with skyscrapers and high-rise condominiums, the course, having undergone numerous redesigns and upgrades (to appease its most demanding members), is no pushover.

MANILA GOLF CLUB (PHILIPPINES)

As one of Asia’s oldest clubs, the prestigious Manila Golf Club (MGC) claims over a century of existence since the pioneering British expatriates built their own golf course in the Philippines. It is situated at the posh Forbes Park – enclave of the rich and famous – which is right at the heart of the premier financial district, Makati City.

Arguably one of the most expensive in the region, if not the world, membership is going for a cool US$1 million.

However, money, pedigree or celebrity won’t guarantee a warm welcome here. Rumours abound that champion boxer Manny Pacquiao, despite having purchased a US$10 million house just across the club, was turned down to be part of this venerable institution.

Mere possession of shares, costing 26 million pesos each for the Manila Golf Club, is but the first step to join the elite membersonly venues.

The club counts among its 570 members the country’s movers and shakers; politicians and business tycoons alike. It’s been said that some of the most important national and economic policies were brainstormed or decided during a round of golf at this club.

America’s most exclusive golf club is also the most exclusive in the world, just because it’s the toughest to get into. Since being founded by golfing legend Bobby Jones and investment banker, Clifford Roberts in 1933, the Masters venue did not have black members till 1990 and women till 2012.

The home of the Masters – one of golf’s four Majors – since 1934, Augusta features not only challenging greens for pros and amateurs alike but also natural beauty most evident when the azaleas are in full bloom.

Membership here is believed to cost between US$10,000 and US$30,000 – only.

However, one does not apply to belong to Augusta National; one has to be invited.

So far, only a little over 300 privileged few had been issued a green jacket (with the club’s logo on the left breast) symbolising full-fledged membership.

SENTOSA GOLF CLUB (SINGAPORE)

Built 40 years ago, Sentosa Golf Club is ranked as the best golf course in Singapore and one of the top courses in the world. It features an environment that is ideal for sealing major deals or to get away from the hustle and hurry of the corporate and urban jungle.

Sentosa also hosted the richest National Open in Asia – the Barclays Singapore Open – until 2012. It also stages the annual LPGA event, HSBC Women’s Champions, where the best female golfers in the world battle it out on its award-winning Serapong layout. Together with the Tanjong course, Serapong offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Singapore harbour and the seemingly endless South China Sea.

AUGUSTA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB (USA)

Money alone won’t get you a quick membership here; interested applicants have to be recommended by anyone of its existing 1,500 members and the General Committee. If you do get their nod of approval, you are ready to rub elbows with prominent personalities from influential circles in Singapore and beyond. You might even find yourself right next to some of its most famous, frequent visitors including Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott.

It is the golf club every local golfer covets to be a part of.

And it’s hard not to see why Sentosa ranks up there as Singapore’s most exclusive.

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HIRONO GOLF CLUB (JAPAN)

The home of the most expensive beef in the world is also home to Japan’s most exclusive golf club. Founded in 1934 and designed by Englishman Charles Alison in 1934, Hirono Golf Club is located near the port city of Kobe.

Consistently ranked the best in Japan and among the top-50 in the world, it’s the favourite venue of most of Japan’s major championships.

Hirono is revered in the country and is used as a yardstick against which all the golf courses in Japan are measured.

Mission Hills Dongguan

To get a tee time here is next to impossible (unless you get invited by one of the board members) let alone become a member. Yes, it’s by invitation only.

In as much as Hirono is considered golf’s best-kept secret, the identities of its illustrious members are also shrouded in mystery. This is not surprising as the Japanese are not wont to flaunt their wealth, influence or club affiliation.

Hirono’s reputation as a notoriously private golf club can only be matched by its notoriously challenging golf course designed with severe gradients, vast bunkers, and elevated, lightningfast greens. However, all these are mitigated by the majestic view of Mount Mekko as well as natural deep ravines and undulated woodland.

The words of Alison, many decades ago still ring true: “Almost every hole has some bold natural feature, and for variety of scene and of strokes, Hirono is difficult to beat. I can name no superior among British inland courses.”

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In 1908, King Edward VII confirmed the title “Royal” making it the fourth Irish club with the prefix Royal.

MISSION HILLS (CHINA)

Mission Hills is probably the most well known golf club in China by virtue of its sheer size that earned it a place in the Guinness World Records as the largest golfing facility on earth. Twenty-two years since it opened its doors, Mission Hills is now bigger than ever with a mind-boggling 24 18-hole golf courses in three locations (Shenzhen, Dongguan and Haikou). These playgrounds for China’s elite were designed by the game’s legends including Jack Nicklaus, David Leadbetter, Annika Sorenstam and Justin Rose.

There were a number of defining events in China’s young golf history that took place at Mission Hills and had a huge impact on the country’s golf industry. It has also hosted many international tournaments including the World Cup of Golf, which it has staged for an unprecedented 12 consecutive years.

It’s not just the golf that comes in epic proportions here. The entire property sprawls over 40 square kilometres, which also houses Asia’s largest tennis facility.

They have five-star resorts, award-winning spas and volcanic mineral springs, an international convention centre and golf academies. In 2012, The Guinness World Records recognised Mission Hills Haikou as the “World’s Largest Spa and Mineral Springs.”

Apart from golf legends and superstars, Mission Hills, also welcomes a steady stream of celebrities. In 2010 and 2011, it hosted two editions of World Celebrity Pro-Am participated in by Hollywood A-listers Catherine Zeta Jones, Hugh Gant, Christine Slater, Ryan Reynolds, Andy Garcia and many others. Come October, Oscar winners Morgan Freeman and Nicole Kidman and fellow Hollywood stars Chris Evans and Jessica Alba are among the famous names lined up for the third edition of the Mission Hills World Celebrity Pro-Am.

THE ROYAL COUNTY DOWN GOLF CLUB (IRELAND)

The Royal County Down is located in the coastal resort of Newcastle, in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains, which served as an inspiration for CS Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. It was founded in 1889 by a group of influential businessmen and professionals from Belfast, and is known to host the most prestigious amateur championships including the Walker Cup, the Curtis Cup and the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship.

This Irish icon is located in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful links settings in the Murlough Nature Reserve. The best and most rewarding views for golfers would be from the 4th tee and the 9th tee looking towards the Mountains of Mourne.

The Royal County Down won’t spill the beans on its most distinguished members, however, local boy and current world number one, Rory McIlroy is often seen playing there when he’s not competing on tour.

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T

he thrill and satisfaction after completing a full marathon is simply undeniable. The act of crossing the finish line at the end of the 42.195km race is a testimony of your grit, focus and dedication. This sense of euphoria can be so addictive, some runners even travel to the corners of the world to experience marathons in different terrains and settings. In that sense, marathons like the ones in London, New York and Tokyo will surely top the list of many enthusiasts. However, very few races in the world can match the topographies and challenges offered by the Antarctic Ice Marathon.

Onward Southward The Antarctic Ice Marathon is usually held just a few hundred kilometres from the South Pole. It is currently the only running event on mainland Antarctica and it is recognised by Guinness as the southernmost foot race in the world.

The race was conceptualised by Irishman Richard Donovan, an ex-economist who has an immense passion for adventure racing. In fact, he is an elite runner who has won many races, such as the Inca Trail Marathon, Himalayan 100-Mile Stage Race, Everest Challenge Marathon and the first and only South Pole Marathon. He also represented his country as an international ultramarathon runner. As it seems, his knowledge and enthusiasm for adventure races has led to the creation of a truly unique running spectacle.

Are We There Yet? Even travelling to the race site is an adventure by itself. First, you’ll have to fly halfway around the world to Santiago, Chile’s capital city. The flight from Singapore will probably take an entire day. This is followed by a four-hour domestic flight to Punta Arenas, located south of the country. The transit from Punta Arenas to Antarctica is another four-hour journey on an IL-76 aircraft and finally, an 8km van ride to the Union Glacier Camp, where the participants’ base site is. The journey may be long and tiring, but once you are there, you’ll be welcomed with open arms.

Slots for the 2014 are sold out. However, registration for the 2015 race is now open.

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Cool Runnings The Ice Marathon is a running event that is unique in more ways than one TEXT: Ong Cheow Eng Photos: Mike King

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Unsurprisingly, it can be quite cold at the Antarctic. Race day temperatures are expected to hover around -20°C, which can be made worse by strong katabatic winds that go up to 25 knots. The harsh weather conditions and energy-sapping snow under your feet can result in a really difficult race even for well-seasoned athletes.

Even the choice of clothes can be a challenge. You’ll need to layer up with thermal clothing, fleece and wind breakers for you to stay sufficiently warm during the run.

But if you go overboard with keeping warm, you may perspire too much and ironically, suffer from heat injuries.

“The Antarctic Ice Marathon was an amazing experience in an extraordinary place,” said Jeremy Cashen, who participated in the 2011 event. “The camaraderie within the camp gave the whole trip a positive vibe as everyone was friendly.” Besides, you’ll probably need all the encouragement that you can get to overcome the immense challenges in the days ahead.

Challenging Race Conditions To give you a glimpse of what to expect at the race, this year’s edition, to be held in November, has a route that is flanked by two mountains on Antarctica - Charles’ Peak and Mount Rossman. Marathon participants are required to run two 21.1km loops. Participants of the other race categories, the 100km, half marathon and 10km, will also run in the same area.

And because of the landscape and remoteness of the area, you’ll have to overcome an inexplicable sense of isolation. Unlike urban marathons, there are no cheerleaders along the route; even the penguins won’t be there as they don’t live so far south.

With everything taken into consideration, it goes without saying that you won’t be gunning for your personal best there. So far, the fastest winner of the Ice Marathon is Petr Vabrousek from the Czech Republic. He came in first in 2013 with a time of 3:34:47. The fastest woman finisher is Great Britain’s Fiona Oakes, who finished last year’s race in 4:20.02. To put the timings into perspective, the world record holder for the marathon is Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang with a time of 2:03:23.

The scenery there is simply breathtaking and spectacular, especially on a clear day. Expect an iridescent snowcovered landscape that is accented by snow-capped outcrops and mountains in the background as well as azure skies. Its beauty though, belies the extreme conditions that runners have to go through.

However, the extreme challenges of the Ice Marathon are exactly the reasons why the race is so memorable.

Said Yvonne Chee, a Singaporean who completed the Ice Marathon in 2013: “Running isolated from the rest of the world in Antarctica, being exposed to extreme conditions and pushing the boundaries of our limits in ways we’d never imagined possible makes this probably the most unique marathon I’ve ever run in my life.”

The route generally has a flat terrain and it is situated at 700m above sea level. The altitude probably won’t pose a significant challenge to the runners, but the low temperature and blistering winds surely will.

Finishers of the Ice Marathon will earn a medal, t-shirts, patches, a certificate and other souvenirs of the race. But more importantly, you’ll earn a lifetime of bragging rights.

If you’ve completed marathons everywhere else, finishing the Ice Marathon will induct you into the exclusive 7 Continents Marathon Club. And if you add the North Pole Marathon into the mix, and you would have completed the granddaddy of all achievements, the Marathon Grand Slam.

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Singapore’s William Tan, a wheelchair competitor, completed the 2007 Ice Marathon on the aircraft runway.

Front row

An Extraordinary Venue A pictorial perspective of Singapore’s state-of-the-art Sports Hub Page 72

Photo by Sport Singapore

THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE

Front row

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Extraordinary

Venue

The Sports Hub, built to the tune of S$1.33 billion, opened its doors in June this year. Its arresting architecture and state-of-the-art facilities makes this grand venue truly world-class, in more ways than one PHOTOS: Michael Tan

September 2014

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Front row

The turf at the National Stadium uses the Desso GrassMaster system, which is also implemented at world class stadiums globally such as Wembley, Old Trafford and the San Siro. Artificial fibres are injected 18cm into the ground and as the natural grass grow, the roots get intertwined with the artificial fibres. This system is lauded for its versatility, cost-effectiveness and playing comfort

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The premium sections of the National Stadium have cushioned seats

Hidden underneath the stadium is the hydraulic system that pushes and retracts the lower tiered seats. The National Stadium is the only stadium in the world that can adjust its seating configuration for rugby, cricket, football, athletics and concerts

The National Stadium holds the record for the world’s freespanning domed roof.

The roof spans 312m in diameter, and it is designed to let in natural sunlight while protecting the interiors from the elements

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Front row

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The National Stadium seats up to 55,000 spectators at full capacity. The seats are coloured sporadically in red and white to create an illusion of a crowd

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Front row

The 3,000-seater OCBC Aquatic Centre has pools that meet to Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) standards, making them suitable for swimming, water-polo, diving and synchronised swimming events

The corridor that leads players to the National Stadium’s hallowed turf

The National Stadium’s dressing room. Hair dryer not included

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The OCBC Arena has six halls that are able to host a wide range of indoor sports. These retractable seats within the halls can be configured to hold from 1,000 to 3,000 spectators

victory THE SWEETEST TASTE IN SPORT

A Quasquicentennial Toast The Glenfiddich Anniversary Vintage Page 81

VICTORY

An Exhilarating Entry Many consider it as just an analogical step into the world of luxury mid-sized sedans, but that’s a severe misconception as far as the latest models are concerned. As it seems, the new Mercedes C Class can certainly hold its own against its peers.

The latest Mercedes C-Class has a few notable upgrades over its predecessor. It is more power efficient, spacious and it certainly looks more

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aesthetically pleasing outside, and inside.

The central console in particular, has a new gesture-based system that comprises of a touchpad and a seven-inch display.

In fact, the new C-Class cars offer so much comfort and luxury, the marketing folks at Mercedes even said that seating into one is “akin to the uplifting feeling of being upgraded from economy to business class in an airliner.”

The Mercedes C-Class comes in three types of engines (C 180, C 200 and C 250) and three variants (AVANTGARDE, EXCLUSIVE and AMG Line).

Said Wolfgang Huppenbauer, president & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Singapore: “The new C-Class is a bold departure from its predecessor and continues to deliver unparalleled excellence and superior performance for generations to come.”

“The new C-Class is a bold departure from its predecessor and continues to deliver unparalleled excellence and superior performance for generations to come.”

– Wolfgang Huppenbauer, president & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Singapore

A Quasquicentennial Toast It was Christmas Day, 1987. Most people in the Speyside region of Scotland were exchanging gifts, singing carols and having gatherings with family as well as friends. The people at the Glenfiddich distillery, though, spent the holiday hard at work.

However, their holiday plans were shelved for an excellent reason.

1987 was Glenfiddich’s centennial year and now, 25 years later, bottles of the very rare and delicious Glenfiddich Anniversary Vintage are made available.

Commenting on the release, Company Director Peter Gordon said: “It was an honour to select this whisky. Born of two momentous anniversaries for our distillery, this whisky truly reflects the pioneering spirit that has underpinned our 125 year history and my great-great grandfather’s legacy of making ‘the best dram in the valley’.”

The whisky, matured in a European Oak sherry butt, has a cask-strength ABV of 55.2%. Unsurprisingly, with its lengthy time in the sherry butt, it has a rich,

bronze appearance. The official tasting notes say that the whisky has a nose of rich fruit cake, toasted almonds and cinnamon, with a hints of liquorice, leather and ground coffee.

On the tongue, it offers a velvety texture, as well as a rich, oily and spicy. The finish is pleasantly long, with a sweet oakiness.

Intrigued? There are 286 bottles in the world and only three in Singapore.

They sell for at least S$1,488 each. But surely, you cannot put a price on the “best dram in the valley”.

“It was an honour to select this whisky. Born of two momentous anniversaries for our distillery, this whisky truly reflects the pioneering spirit that has underpinned our 125 year history and my great-great grandfather’s legacy of making ‘the best dram in the valley’.”

– Peter Gordon, Company Director

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VICTORY

Aqua Classics Blue Racer The Bol d’Or Mirabaud, one of Europe’s oldest regattas and the largest lake regatta in the world, had a grand 75th anniversary celebration in 2013. Hublot, the official timekeeper of the event, kept the party going this year with the launch of the limited edition Classic Fusion Bol d’Or Mirabaud 2014.

This sporty timepiece is built like a high

performance racing yacht.

The case is made using titanium, and it features plenty of carbon fibre elements, evident from the dial, bezel and strap.

A visual connection with the event is made via the midnight blue counters, as the colour mirrors the waters of Lake Geneva.

Coinciding with its 76th anniversary, only 76 pieces of Classic Fusion Bol d’Or Mirabaud 2014 will be available worldwide.

Dressy Diver Who says a reliable diving watch has to be big and chunky? The Ulysses Nardin Marine Diver has an unobtrusive silhouette that will not look out of place in almost any occasion. And despite its dressiness, it is sturdy enough to follow you to extreme depths.

The 2014 model retains most of the key features that characterise the Ulysses Nardin Marine Diver collection, with a few aesthetic changes. A wave-like motif is emblazed onto the dial and the bezel, while the lugs now have a taut and sleek lines.

The watch has a water resistance of 300, due largely to its screw-locked crown and case-bac. It also features a unidirectional rotating bezel, which prevents any accidental adjustment to the dive time.

Its claw-shaped rubber molding over the crown ensures it is easy to grip, even with diving gloves.

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Flyback Finesse A 1950s classic has been given an aesthetical and functional reinterpretation. The new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback timepiece exudes a very masculine, sporty allure with its black (or meteor grey) dial and most significantly, this model has a new F385 movement that features a flyback chronograph movement.

Its flyback function allows the wearer to reset and restart the chronograph by pressing the pusher at the four o’clock position.

With this, you’ll be able to take fast measurements of successive times.

Apart from its nifty timekeeping feature, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback does what it is intended for very well. It has a water resistant of 300m, has Superluminova dials for readability while diving and comes in a durable NATO fabric or sail canvas strap.

A Well-Tailored Supercar When it comes to style, the Italians always seem to do it better. So when you put supercar maker Maserati and luxury fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna together, you can expect plenty of flair, panache and class. In celebration of the luxury marque’s centennial year, they teamed up and created the very exquisite Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition.

Being a one-off limited edition model, you can certainly expect it to be really different from the stock Quattroporte.

For one, its colour, Platinum Silk, cannot be found anywhere else. Developers of this

paintjob wanted to create an effect that combines “the purity of a metal with the soft look of silk, giving a sensation of infinite depth.” It has Mercurio 20” wheels that are diamond smoothed for a sporty finish; the brake callipers are hand polished to create a high shine. Visually, it is really arresting, yet sleek.

The interiors of the car are inspired by Ermenegildo Zegna’s artistry and attention to details.

It has Burr walnut and burnished chrome trims that look absolutely gorgeous. The roof lining and sunshades are made up of fine greige (grey and beige) jersey silk fabric that specially designed

by Ermenegildo Zegna.

The seats are made using ultra-fine grain leather, with chevron-patterned silk fabric from the Zegna woollen mills of Trivero covering the central sections.

To remind you that this is a special model, Ermenegildo Zegna labels are positioned in and out of the supercar; the B pillar, central console and even on the sunshade.

To mark the importance of heritage and handmade work for the two brands, Maserati and Zegna will be the first companies to support the restoration of the Fountain of Neptune; a monumental fountain located in Piazza Nettuno, in Bologna, where the Trident badge was first inspired.

Let’s not forget that this is a supercar that is powered by a V8 twin-turbo engine capable of developing 530 HP, with a top speed of 307 km/h and goes from standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds.

Now this is a car that is looking dapper, and really powerful.

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Portraits

Timely Tee Off Sunny weather, a beautiful golf course and exquisite timepieces; the setting at the Audemars Piguet Golf Trophy 2014 was simply perfect. Over a hundred Audemars Piguet collectors and golf enthusiasts from across the region gathered for a game of golf at the Bali National Golf Club in Nusa Dua, Bali, in July this year.

Apart from a day of revelry on the pristine golf course, guests got to rub shoulders with Asian Tour star and Audemars Piguet Singapore’s local golf ambassador, Lam Chih

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Bing. Also in attendance were Oliviero Bottinelli, Managing Director of Audemars Piguet, Asia and David von Gunten, CEO of Audemars Piguet, Hong Kong.

One of the highlights of the three-day event was the dinner at the Amanusa Resort, situated at the highest point of Nusa Dua and overlooking the entire city. Guests were treated to traditional rindik music and the traditional “kechak dance” alongside fine local cuisine.

Almost instantly, the many bogeys on the scorecards were forgotten.

portraits

Fast Vision Eyewear manufacturer Oakley has officially partnered Scuderia Ferrari. The official launch of this partnership, as well as the unveiling of their collaborative eight-piece eyewear line, were held recently at the Ferrari store in Marina Bay Sands.

The event was hosted by local celebrity Allan Wu and it was attended members of the trade as well as media. Oakley Ambassadors were also at the event and some of them presented the features and designs of the new eyewear collection.

Actor Randall Tan presented the Tin Can model while Mok Ying Ren, a gold medallist in the marathon event at the

SEA Games, and national Downhill-Mountain Biker, Tan Hong Chun presented the Chainlink Asian fit and TwoFace Asian fit designs respectively.

“When we sign an agreement with a new partner, we look for leaders in their industry who share our vision and values,” said Andrea Perrone, Ferrari Brand CEO. “Innovation, passion and commitment to results underpin everything Scuderia Ferrari does.

Oakley represents all those things in the eyewear field and is a company that makes innovation a driver for its success. We are very proud and excited at Ferrari for this partnership, both for us as a brand and for all the Scuderia Ferrari fans around the world.”

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Portraits

Time For Football Swiss watchmaker Hublot was the Official Timekeeper of the match between Italian Serie A champions Juventus FC and the Singapore Lions. The match, which finished 5-0 in favour of the Italians, was the first ever to be held at the new National Stadium.

Hublot invited some 100 VIP guests to be part of this momentous occasion.

Prior to the match, the guests had the rare chance to rub shoulders

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with the footballers at an exclusive meet-and-greet session.

Apart from the Juventus footballers, the star attraction for the Hublot enthusiasts was the King Power Juventus timepiece.

It is made from carbon fibre and has an in-house HUB4245 chronograph movement. It has two chrono hands; one that indicates the seconds, the other indicates the time elapsed out of the 45 minutes in each half of football action.

portraits

A World of Success German automakers BMW staged a wildly successful BMW World exhibition in early August, at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre. 38,000 visitors saw the many BMW, BMW i, BMW M, BMW Motorrad and MINI vehicles and concept cars on display.

In particular, the BMW i cars attracted plenty of attention. The i3 and i8 are both in production and will be available in Singapore. They are often touted as “the future of mobility”.

“The arrival of BMW i in Singapore marks yet another exciting chapter not only for us, but for Singapore too. With the launch of BMW i3 and BMW i8, Singapore is now placed alongside world-leading urban cities that have embraced sustainable mobility. The age of future mobility is finally here,” said Mr Sergio Solero, Managing Director of BMW Group Asia.

“And we hope that BMW i will serve not only as an inspiration to others, but also pave the foundation for sustainable mobility to thrive in Singapore.”

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final whistle

Last Burst of Horsepower

I

t was a phenomenal last-to-first victory for Tropaios at the Longines Singapore Gold Cup 2013.

This magnificent stallion, ridden by Australian jockey Tommy Berry and trained by Michael Freedman, took up the rear of the galloping herd for the majority of the 2,200m race. Heading into the final stretch, Trapaios swept from the outside and surged forward to take a half-length victory. This is arguably one of the most thrilling victories in the history of the race. Apart from the trophy, Longines timepieces from the Conquest Classic Collection were presented to the jockey and trainer.

The Longines Singapore Gold Cup currently has a prize purse of S$1.35 million, making it one of the richest and most prestigious races in the region. This year, you can catch the event at the Kranji Racecourse on 16 November 2014.

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