6 posts tagged Laureus

Here at IWC Schaffhausen we are proud of our charitable commitments around the world, and especially endeavored towards our efforts in support of the Laureus Sport for Good program, whose global programs help children in need engage in social and athletic activities. This past week was quite newsworthy for the Laureus Foundation and we wanted to share all of the activities with you!

We’ve previously shared the news of a worldwide contest, where children could submit design entries which would be engraved on the back of a limited Portofino Chronograph Laureus edition watch.

Olympian Steve Redgrave presenting Kumara with her prize

This year the competition was won by a eight year old Sri Lankan girl – and just this week she had an unparalleled experience, when Kumara Wadu Parami Apsara was presented her winning prize by Olympian and Laureus World Sports Academy Member Steve Redgrave.

As Redgrave explained after presenting the award: “You could see the delight in her eyes and the pride in what she had achieved. It’s wonderful to think that the drawing she has made will travel around the world on the back of this watch and raise money to help other youngsters like her.”

Meanwhile on the other side of the world (and in IWC Schaffhausen’s home country), Laureus Switzerland held a fundraising auction, raising more than 350,000 EUR. This included a 140,000 CHF (116,000 EUR) IWC watch, an unique timepiece that not only embodies the craftsmanship of IWC but brings to its wearer the embodiment of philanthropy. The auction also included a trip to the Laureus World Sports Awards 2013 – to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

An amazing timepiece auctioned for an equally amazing cause, benefitting Laureus Switzerland

From honoring a young Sri Lankan girl’s artistic pursuits, to providing needed funds for children in Switzerland the Laureus Foundation is truly committed to bettering the lives of young people around the world. And we, at IWC Schaffhausen, are proud to partner with them in this quest. 

We know the IWC man enjoys a challenge. And we could all agree that cycling non-stop for 1000 km across Switzerland would be quite a challenge. Add in the country’s famed mountains and peaks and that ride now includes 13,000 meters of altitude difference! Definitely an event for the (well trained) adrenaline seeker.

Welcome to Tortour, the first ride of its kind in Switzerland. It involves singular riders and teams, both amateur and professional cyclists. The charter for the event includes the goal of creating a sustainable endurance race in the country, as well as promoting ultracycling and Swiss tourism. Potential earnings will be invested in the development of the event and the support of charitable projects.

Tortour 2012 Route

Riders kick off the event in Neuhausen, in the North of the country. The route ends at the IWC Arena in Schaffhausen.

Highlights of the 2011 Tortour

In fact IWC is a proud sponsor of the event, and The Laureus Foundation (one of our key philanthropic partners) is a corporate team participant.

Cyclists in last year’s event

We send best wishes to all race participants – wishing them a safe and speedy finish. Ride on!

Image source: Tortour.ch

Challenge: by definition, “a call or summon to engage in any contest, as of skill or strength”. A challenge is something we at IWC look upon favorably — as an opportunity to improve, to do better, or overcome an obstacle, and to achieve. It also evokes one of our core values: action; without action, no challenge can be won.

Our technological innovation and pursuit of the most precise timepieces in the world define some of the challenges we work towards. Likewise, so do our endeavors and associations. The story of Volvo Ocean Race’s Azzam, the hurdles of triathlete Natascha Badmann, or the children who participate in the activities sponsored by the Laureus Sports for Good Foundation — all share a passion for challenging expectations, and for that we have saluted their efforts. To continue in this tradition, we are launching IWC Challenge as a Series, where we will bring you the endeavors and actions of athletes from around the world. Read about their triumphs, their training regimen, motivations, and the advice they have to give.

First up is Daniel Wyss, who works as a maintenance engineer in the Swiss canton of Wallis, but has a second life as a world renowned cyclist. Wyss is a two-time winner of the Race Across America (RAAM). The race is a non-stop, 3,000- mile event, that is completed in just 8 days- no small feat. To accomplish this level of ultracycling, Wyss puts an intense training plan into action: he cycles 3-5 hours per day during the work week and 5-8 hours when not at work.

Our first Challenge Series profile: Daniel Wyss

When Wyss was asked what drives and motivates him in his sport, he responded that “I always want to succeed and give of my very best. I aim for the perfect race.” His advice for anyone competing in a sporting challenge is to “Never try anything new in a competition, without having tried it out during training.” Sound advice from a world record holder in his sport.

We look forward to sharing more profiles of athletes who are stars in their field on iwc.com/Challenge.