SAN DIEGO, Calif. - June 15, 1994 - The America3 Foundation announced today an initial group of sponsors for its historic all-women's America's Cup team. The list includes Columbia Sportswear, Hewlett-Packard, BOAT/U.S., Hyatt Regency San Diego, Lifetime Television, Autodesk, Inc. and Autoship Systems Corporation. Citizen Watch Company of America, Inc., also an America3 sponsor, was announced earlier this month.

"We're very excited about our team's ability to attract such a high quality roster of sponsors," said Bill Koch, chairman of the America3 Foundation and winning skipper of the 1992 America's Cup. "We're grateful to these organizations for their generous contributions of cash, goods and services that will give our all-women's team an even better chance of winning the Cup next year."

COMMITTED SPONSORS TO DATE

Hewlett-Packard Company. As the official computer supplier to America3, Hewlett-Packard will supply computer, peripheral and networking equipment to support all aspects of the America3 effort, including: technical and design teams; development, public relations and administration; and shore and sail operations. Hewlett-Packard designs, manufactures and services products and systems for measurement, computing and communication used by people in business, industry, science, engineering, health care and education. HP's more than 22,000 products include computers, printers, peripheral products, electronic test and measurement instruments and systems, networking products, medical electronic equipment, instruments and systems for chemical analysis, handheld calculators and electronic components. These products are sold through sales and support offices and distributorships in 110 countries and through retail dealers. Hewlett-Packard, established in 1939, currently employs approximately 97,000 employees and had net revenue of $20.3 billion in its 1993 fiscal year (ended October 31). HP is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.

Citizen Watch Company of America. As the official supplier of watches to America3, Citizen will provide cash and design two special watches specifically for the America3 Women's Team. Founded in 1975, Citizen Watch Company of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Citizen Watch Company, the world's largest watch manufacturer. Selling in the mid-priced watch range, Citizen has grown to become one of the leading brands in the United States, selling more than three million watches per year. Headquartered in Lyndhurst, NJ, the U.S. company employs more than 300 people, including its operational center in Los Angeles, California. Citizen has been involved in the America's Cup since 1992. For 1995, Citizen has become the first ever title sponsor of The Citizen Cup, Defender Races for the America's Cup, and is once again the Official Timer and Official Watch for all races.

Lifetime Television. As the official cable television network of America3, Lifetime Television will contribute significant on-air and off-air resources to America3 that will coincide with the Network's ongoing theme of "Picture What Women Do." Launched on February 1, 1984, Lifetime was created by the merger of Daytime and Cable Health Network. A venture of Lifetime Entertainment Services, Lifetime is dedicated to providing contemporary, innovative entertainment and information programming of particular interest to women. Lifetime's quality programming has earned over 200 awards and award nominations since its inception. Lifetime has also been honored with multiple American Women in Radio and Television Awards. Lifetime's headquarters are in New York, New York.

Columbia Sportswear. As a contributing supplier to the America3 all-women's team, Columbia will design a variety of outerwear for the sailing team to wear during the five month run of the America's Cup. The company will also market the collection through retailers across the country. Called The America3 Collection, the line will include six distinctive styles and will be offered in both men's and women's sizes. The clothing will feature red, white and blue color combinations, as well as both the America3 and Columbia Sportswear logos. Columbia Sportswear, established in 1938, is based in Portland, Oregon. Its outerwear, sportswear, footwear, licensed product and hunting and fishing apparel is carried by approximately 10,000 retailers in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Europe, South America, Australia and New Zealand.

BOAT/U.S. As the official boat owner's association of America3, BOAT/U.S. will set up a special grass-roots fundraising program for the all-women's team, making use of the resources of its 500,000 members and its 33 Marine Centers and retail stores. Founded in 1966, BOAT/U.S. (Boat Owner's Association of The United States) is the nation's largest organization of recreational boaters with 500,000 members. BOAT/U.S. is the leading representative of boaters' interests before Congress and a variety of federal regulatory agencies and the publisher of BOAT/U.S. Reports, the world's largest boating publication. The association provides over 20 other services for members, including a Consumer Protection Bureau, group-rate boat insurance, boat loans, travel services and yacht charters. BOAT/U.S. is one of the nation's leading suppliers of boating equipment and accessories through its Marine Centers and a mail-order catalog.

Hyatt Regency San Diego. As the official hotel of America3, Hyatt Regency San Diego will provide San Diego accommodations to guests and friends of America3 as well as catering for America3 needs, including team lunches, fund-raisers, company functions, etc. Opened on December 15, 1992, Hyatt Regency San Diego is the newest addition to San Diego's waterfront. Located on San Diego Bay at One Market Place, the 40-story hotel, at 497 feet, is the tallest waterfront hotel on the West Coast. All of the 875 guest rooms and suites have a waterfront view, as do all restaurants and terraces. The hotel has 44,000 square feet of flexible conference space, built on three levels. Hyatt Regency San Diego was developed by Manchester Resorts L.P. of San Diego.

Autodesk, Inc. Autodesk, Inc. will be the official supplier of computer aided design (CAD) software to America3. Autodesk is the world's number one CAD/CAM software company and the sixth largest personal computer software company. Today, with more than 2.5 million customers, Autodesk's flagship product, AutoCADŽ, is the worldwide CAD standard. Autodesk develops, markets and supports a family of design-automation software products, as well as professional multimedia software for use on personal computers and workstations. A global company since its founding in 1982, Autodesk markets products in 88 countries and 18 languages.

Autoship Systems Corporation. Autoship Systems Corporation has been named the official supplier of Yacht Design Software for America3. This continues Autoship's involvement with the America3 Foundation which began with the 1992 America's Cup when the winning boat, America3, was designed using Autoship software. Incorporated in 1980, Autoship is the world's leading developer of PC-based yacht and ship design software. Autoship's fully integrated suite of Windows programs has the sophistication to produce winning America's Cup designs and the dexterity to model any vessel from a kayak to a super tanker. The company is headquartered in Vancouver.

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For additonal information please send e-mail to: Rick Wrightson

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