Chanel & The Boat Race Announce Historic Long-Term Partnership

Since its inception in 1829, the Boat Race between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge has captivated audiences with its annual clash of the “Blues” along the Thames. Drawing more than 250,000 spectators to the banks of the river and millions of viewers worldwide through BBC’s live broadcast, the Boat Race has become an iconic fixture in British sports, embodying both tradition and competition.

Gabrielle Chanel on Roussy Sert’s yacht in front of the Lido, Venice, 1936.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Chanel / © V.H. Grandpierre/ Vogue Paris

The 2025 races, scheduled for April 13, will cover the historic 4.25-mile Championship Course from Putney to Mortlake, attracting global attention in a grand display of athletic prowess and teamwork. This long-term partnership brings a distinctive shared ethos between Chanel and The Boat Race Company, where both organizations celebrate a relentless pursuit of excellence and collective effort. In Chanel’s words, the sponsorship reflects a philosophy of empowering exceptional talent—echoing The Boat Race’s commitment to nurturing the athletic potential of the Oxford and Cambridge rowing crews.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Chanel

Rooted in sports since its founding in 1910, Chanel draws upon a legacy of designs that liberated women’s fashion. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel was a pioneering sportswoman, creating clothing that allowed women to move, whether cycling, horseback riding, or simply expressing themselves through innovative style choices. This daring, forward-thinking approach extended to other realms with the introduction of the iconic Chanel No.5 fragrance in 1921 and a high jewelry collection in 1932.

In 2000, Chanel launched the J12 watch, a unisex icon inspired by the J-Class yachts that raced in the early 20th century. Crafted in Chanel’s Swiss watchmaking manufacture and powered by precise movements from Kenissi, the J12 embodies the brand’s meticulous dedication to craftsmanship and timing.

Frédéric Grangié, President of Chanel Watches & Fine Jewellery, emphasizes the alignment between the precision required in rowing and watchmaking, stating: “Synchronicity in rowing is as crucial to the race as watchmaking craftsmanship is to ensure accurate timing. Every rower, like every mechanism in a watch, must work together as one; the balance, the weight, and the oar movements must all be impeccably timed.”

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Chanel/©Row360

Siobhan Cassidy, Chair of The Boat Race Company, also expressed excitement for the partnership, noting, “Their involvement will help us take the event to new places and new people, as well as enhancing it for our millions of existing followers.” With the announcement of The Chanel J12 Boat Race, Chanel and The Boat Race Company are undoubtedly poised to make history.

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