Sainz Snr. and Åhlin-Kottulinsky latest winners of the Zenith Moment in Time Award
The action-packed NEOM Island X Prix I and II, organised by the Automobile Club d’Italia and Regione Sardegna, was held at the Army Training area at Capo Teulada in Sulcis-Iglesiente.
During the week ZENITH proudly unveiled its latest stunning DEFY Extreme E “Island X Prix” chronograph.. Based on the DEFY Extreme Carbon, the world’s lightest and most rugged 1/100th of a second automatic high-frequency watch, the DEFY Extreme E “Island X Prix” aligns with the series’ sustainability ethos, incorporating upcycled elements from the inaugural 2021 season.
As the week consisted of two races, ZENITH handed out two “Moment In Time” awards, highlighting one exceptional performance from each event.
For the first X Prix, the award went to Carlos Sainz Sr. and his ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team for enduring an intense collision with Rosberg X Racing’s (RXR) Johan Kristoffersson. Fortunately, the Spaniard managed to get out of his car and was deemed fit to take part in the next race.
Carlos Sainz Sr., ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team, said: “It is an honour to be given the ZENITH Moment In Time award, which is a testament to all the hard work that ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team did this week in Sardinia.
“The NEOM Island X Prix was our toughest week to date in Extreme E. The conditions were treacherous, and we were hit when we were fighting for the overall victory, but we got back on our feet and fought all the way as we always do. This beautiful DEFY Skyline watch will be a precious reminder of our resilience as a team.”
The other ZENITH “Moment In Time” award was presented to the female half of RXR. Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky earned the prize with her exceptional drive in the second race of the double-header, overtaking ABT CUPRA XE’s Jutta Kleinschmidt in the closing stages of the Final to take RXR’s fifth win in Extreme E to-date.
Mikeala Åhlin-Kottulinsky, RXR, commented: “When I came out close behind Jutta in the Final, I knew I needed a safe opportunity to overtake and that I would take it. When I came to the watersplash, I knew this was a place that others had tried to overtake. I saw the opportunity and thought I would go full send through the water. When I came out first, I was so happy I’d made it!
“I am just over the moon happy to get the Zenith Moment in Time Award and this beautiful DEFY Skyline watch as I didn’t expect it. Then I saw the box and thought, wow! I’m super happy.”
In addition to the thrills, and spills, of the on-track action, there was also reason to celebrate the all-important Extreme E legacy programmes. During the 2021 Enel X Island X Prix race in Sardinia, ZENITH announced a new partnership, independent of the Extreme E’s Legacy Programme, with the MEDSEA Foundation.
ZENITH and MEDSEA have opted to intervene in the Marine Protected Area “Capo Testa Punta Falcone”. The objective for the first year was to revitalize an area of dead matte by planting of 4.000 uprooted Posidonia Oceanica cuttings, and the two organisations continue their partnership this season.
Zenith CEO Julien Tornare, who attended the races throughout the week, added: “What a week! The second season of Extreme E is definitely giving us even more emotions and surprises. Fans were excited to discover the second edition of the DEFY Extreme E, and our dear friend Carl Cox came by to show his support and celebrate with the teams.
“We also got to see the progress from last year’s Legacy Programme and continue working with MEDSEA on replanting seagrasses in the Mediterranean, with whom ZENITH has also chosen to support on a multi-year project.”
The DEFY Extreme E “Island X Prix” will be made in a limited edition of only 20 pieces and will be available at ZENITH physical and online boutiques around the world.
