United Internet Team Germany sails new GER 89

by Oliver Laskowsky on 17 Aug 2006 It was the moment, the United Internet Team Germany has longed for: The sailing crew of the first German America´s Cup campaign has sailed the new yacht Germany I in Valencia. After a seven month phase of planning and constructing and three months after the christening, the crew around skipper Jesper Bank has made its first experiences on the America´s Cup yacht – the first cupper ever built in Germany.

'I'm absolutely impressed. Our boat builders and designers have done a very good job' Jesper Bank described his first impressions.

The very first trip with Germany I had already taken place in the week before without the skipper being around – Jesper Bank was taking part in the matchrace regatta Danish Open in Denmark. Yet, the first testing already delighted the team: 'We can be more than satisfied. Our boat has passed all tests without complications. On the first day we hoisted the main sail and the genoa. For sure we impressed the other teams who are doing their trainings in Valencia right now', said Eberhard Magg, Technical Director of the United Internet Team Germany.

22 boat builders and 16 designers have been involved in building this new yacht with the sail number GER 89. Now the yacht is in the water – however, work is not done yet. The following weeks and months, Germany I will be tested and optimized intensively by the sailing team, the boat builders and the sail- and rigg designers in order to become competitive and ready to win in the new America´s Cup season beginning April 2007. 'Our to-do list is pretty long. In September, we will be able to judge the speed of our new boat a little better', Eberhard Magg says.

In September GER 72, the training yacht of the United Internet Team Germany, will be back in Valencia. The boat is now on a tour throughout Germany. While training on both boats, the team will be able to get new cognition about the optimization of Germany I.