Worldwide rowing sponsorship extended for three years

Dateline: 15/10/1999

The 2000 world cup in rowing will be known as the "Zurich Rowing World Cup"

Zurich Financial Services and the International Rowing Federation (FISA) will continue their recently established partnership for another three years. Successful cooperation at the world championships in St. Catharines (Canada) last August ensured contract extension. Besides the world championships 2001 in Lucerne (Switzerland) and 2002 in Seville (Spain), as of next year we will also be sponsoring for three years the rowing world cup, which will be known as the "Zurich Rowing World Cup" and will certainly lend our mark wider recognition.

Events in Europe and North America

Already marked in the "Zurich Rowing World Cup" calendar for 2000 are competitions in Munich (June 2, 3 and 4) and Vienna (June 23, 24, 25) as well as the Rotsee Regatta in Lucerne (July 14, 15 and 16). Moreover, for the first time in the history of rowing, events will be taking place in North America. Discussions are currently underway with the North American business units regarding this competition, scheduled to take place near Princeton.

Our market presence at these rowing events will be planned and developed through close cooperation between the local business units and Group Head Office. The appearance of the Zurich mark at the venue and the international television coverage will afford Zurich Financial Services an opportunity to distinguish itself as a leading global provider of financial services solutions to a broad international audience. In this respect, rowing offers our Group the ideal platform to convey the values we share and focus on our mutual target group.

Corporate Communications, Group Head Office

Zurich, October 11, 1999/5053e

Further information available from: Isabelle Welton, +41 (0) 1 625 23 09

Zurich Financial Services