Members of the Breitling Triathlon Squad joined the brand’s CEO, Georges Kern, and some of the world’s most celebrated cyclists in participating in the Old Mutual Wealth Double Century Race in Swellendam, South Africa on Saturday 26 November.
After a two-year hiatus, Breitling and its guests are back with a joint mission to raise money and raise awareness for Qhubeka. Based in South Africa, this global charity provides life-changing bikes for people living in remote areas with limited mobility. Breitling was also the official timing partner of Double Century.
Since 2018, the Breitling Triathlon Squad and Breitling CEO Georges Kern have met in Swellendam, South Africa for the Double Century, a grueling 202km long-distance cycle race. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, Breitling was unable to attend the event in 2020 and 2021. This month Kern and some of the world’s best cyclists returned to Swellendam where they finished the race in support of Khubeki. This South African charity distributes bikes to people living in remote areas with few vehicles, giving them vital access to healthcare, jobs and education.
BREITLING TRIATHLON TEAM WALKS THE ROADS OF SOUTH AFRICA
Breitling’s elite triathlon team includes three top athletes: Jan Frodeno of Germany, 2008 Olympic gold medalist, three-time IRONMAN® World Champion and two-time IRONMAN® 70.3 World Champion; Daniela Reef from Switzerland, five-time IRONMAN® 70.3 World Champion and five-time IRONMAN® World Champion; and Australian Chris “Macca” McCormack, two-time IRONMAN® World Champion and former ITU World Endurance Champion. All three enjoyed returning to the open road in South Africa for the first time since 2019.
GEORGES KERN: PASSIONATE ABOUT SUPPORTING QHUBEKA
Breitling’s CEO Georges Kern was also delighted to return to Swellendam, saying: “Being back in South Africa with such an incredible team is a pleasure and a privilege. We’re all passionate about what we can do on behalf of Qhubeka. Seeing the difference a bicycle can make in someone’s life is amazing. Imagine: it means an individual can attend school or get medical care for a family member.”
TOP ATHLETES JOIN BREITLING IN SWELLENDAM
Kern and the triathlon team were joined not only by Swiss triathletes Jan van Berkel and Imogen Simmonds, but also by German professional cyclists Maximilian Schachmann and Rick Zabel, as well as Italian professional cyclists Elisa Balsamo and Vincenzo Nibali, French triathlete Sam Laidlaw, Belgian professional cyclist Jasper Stuyven and Dutch triathlete Els Visser. All of these internationally recognized European athletes are members of local Breitling teams in their respective countries. Cyclist from South Africa Nicholas Dlamini came full circle.
BREITLING AND QHUBEKA: A PARTNERSHIP OF PASSION AND COMMITMENT
The day after the race, Georges Kern, the triathlon team and their guests attended a bike giveaway event for students at Tembelihle High School. Breitling partnered with Qhubeka in 2018 and since then the brand and its sponsors have funded over 2,500 bikes for different communities in South Africa.
Last year, Qhubeka made even more progress on its mission. Faced with high drop-out and failure rates among South African students (less than 50% completed 12 years of school with a satisfactory grade), Qhubeka accelerated expansion to 11 schools by providing a bicycle to each child in the final two years of school. After just one year of reducing traffic congestion for these students, Khubeka has seen pass rates increase by up to 47% and dropout rates by up to 100%. Such pilot projects are only the beginning. Qhubeka distributed over 4,000 bikes in 2021 and plans to increase that number by the end of 2022. Breitling will continue to support the organization by giving children better access to education while supporting communities with bikes.
As Qhubeka founder Anthony Fitzhenry says, “This marks the fourth anniversary of our partnership with Breitling. The world-class athletes Georges Kern brought to Swellendam were the most impressive group yet. In addition, the riders’ commitment and active participation greatly elevate the profile of Qhubeka. We are proud and thankful to have Breitling and its expanded family as partners.”
BREITLING EXTENDS A CHALLENGE TO CYCLISTS AROUND THE WORLD WITH STRAVA
Breitling has invited people from all over the world to support Khubeka virtually as part of the Breitling Century Challenge on Strava, the largest sports community in the world. The best part? There is still time to participate. Regardless of skill level or sport, participants from eligible countries who complete a century (100km) of activity before December 9th and log their results on Strava have a chance to win prizes including one of three Breitling Endurance Pro watches, a Colnago bike, and bike gear Q36.5. Join the Breitling Strava Club page and donate to Qhubeka to help people in remote areas get much-needed transportation.
Participation in the prize draw is restricted to residence in one of the following countries: Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Monaco, Spain, Hungary, United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, South Africa, Singapore. , Japan, New Zealand, Argentina, USA and Canada (except Quebec).
ABOUT BREITLING
Founded in 1884, Breitling is a leading Swiss watchmaker. The innovative company invented the modern chronograph and pioneered the navigational tool watch. Today, it’s still breaking new ground as a casual, inclusive, and sustainable luxury brand with more than 200 industrial- loft-inspired retail locations around the world. Breitling’s collections center around air, land, and sea pursuits, all captured in the brand’s unmistakable modern-retro style. The exceptional quality of every watch movement is confirmed by its status as a COSC-certified chronometer, and the brand remains one of only a handful of independent watchmakers to produce its own manufacture calibers. Combining classic watchmaking with the latest innovations, Breitling is both a company with history and one that’s ahead of its time.
ABOUT QHUBEKA
Qhubeka is a global charity that moves people forward with bicycles in Africa. People earn bicycles through its programs, improving their access to schools, clinics, and jobs. A bicycle is a tool that helps people to travel faster and further, to generate income, and to carry more. In the face of extreme and persistent poverty, bicycles can change lives by helping to address socioeconomic challenges at the most basic level – helping people to get where they need to go.
ABOUT STRAVA
Strava is the leading platform for athletes and the largest sports community in the world, with over 100 million athletes in 195 countries. If you sweat, you’re an athlete, and Strava’s mobile apps and website connect millions of active people every day. Strava gives athletes simple, fun ways to stay motivated and compete against themselves and others without having to be in the same place at the same time. All athletes belong on Strava no matter where they live, which sport they love, or what device they use. Join the community and make the most of your sport with a Strava subscription.