New SIA trophy has landed

With a new title sponsor making its debut this year, a new trophy was unveiled yesterday ahead of next month's Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix.

Weighing 5kg, the trophy is made of aluminium with three stripes plated with 24-karat gold flanking each side.

Designed by the airline's creative agency TBWA and handcrafted by local jewellery brand Risis, four such pieces will be made for the three Formula One drivers and winning constructor standing on the podium after the night race on Sept 21 at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

This is the second year running that Risis has been commissioned to make the trophies.

Sculpted to resemble the airline's logo of a bird spreading its wings, the trophies were unveiled at a Risis outlet at Marina Bay Sands yesterday.

SIA's top bosses are pleased with the results.

Its sales and marketing divisional vice-president Foo Chai Woo said: "The trophy symbolises speed and motion, lightness and agility, with an understated touch of elegance and sophistication - some of the characteristics that Singapore Airlines is synonymous with."

Sheldon Hee, SIA's vice-president of marketing, communications and development, noted that its iconic kebaya-clad stewardesses will have a role to play at the Singapore Grand Prix from Sept 19-21.

About 50 Singapore Girls will have a responsibility of guiding the F1 drivers to their cars and, perhaps, shelter them with umbrellas.

Hee said: "The Singapore Girl will be on the track during race day.

"It is a chance to demonstrate our warm hospitality to the whole world."

It is the perfect fit.

And who better than the charming Singapore Girl to tell these speed demons to buckle up their seat belts?

meng@sph.com.sg

This article was published on Aug 29 in The Straits Times.

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