11th Match Race Germany 2008

by Eberhard Magg on 4 May 2008 The dream of the AC drives them, and Match Racing motivates them - the ideal platform for future America's Cup stars, who will sail over Pentecoast weekend in Langenargen!

No matter if they are a world champion, hold a world ranking leader or Germany´s number 1: they all share one goal, to be helming a Cup yacht and they will all compete in the World Match racing Tour Grand Prix event in Langenargen, starting next week.

'I have been fully professional for only two years, and I am heavily active on the World Tour and want to compete in the America´s Cup one year' states reigning Match race World Champion Ian Williams from Great Britain. The lawyer is looking forward to sailing again on Lake Constance. 'Match Race Germany is very special because of the big crowd attending and the friendly and warm atmosphere.'

This enjoyment is shared by Frenchman and ISAF World ranking leader Matthieu Richard, a regular at Match Race Germany. ' I sail with the same crew since 2000. We achieved together, to make it to the top spot of the rankings. I love match racing because it is intensive and complex and also because we get to know lovely places around the world during one year. My dream and personal goal is to win the America´s Cup with a French Team!'

This is also the highly set goal of Markus Wieser, Germany´s most successful match racer over the past two decades. The father of four daughters, who won the finals of Match Race Germany back in 2001 after a dramatic battle 3:2 against German Sailing icon Jochen Schuemann states: ' Together with Team Sea Dubai we do prepare for the 34th Cup edition'.

The America´s Cup is unanimously regarded as the crown in Sailing, and pushed, drives professional and talented young people all over the world for extraordinary excellence. Taking part in the WMRT means preparing on the highest level of the sport for that great big goal, setting free such extraordinary amounts of motivation and money respectively.

Match Race Germany 2008 starts next Wednesday and finishes on Monday the 12 th of May. 12 Teams, nine nations fight for Championship points, world ranking points, prize money and prestige. The winner will be awarded once again the lovely handmade trophies from partner Kosta Boda.

Participants:

Matthieu Richard FRA - French Match Racing Team

Ian Williams GBR - Team Pindar

Paolo Cian ITA - Team Shosholoza

Bjorn Hansen SWE - Alandia Sailing Team

Sebastian Col FRA - K-Challenge

Damien Iehl FRA - French Team

Peter Wibroe DEN - Team Wibroe

Staffan Lindberg FIN - Alandia Sailing Team

Eric Monin SUI - Bodensee Team Search.ch

Adam Minoprio NZL - Emirates New Zealand

Markus Wieser GER - Team Sea Dubai

Jes Gram Hansen DEN - Trifork Racing


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As usual and a tradition at Match Race Germany the entry not only to watch the sailing but also for all cultural highlights will be free of charge!

Besides the kids programme (painting a set of sails for a charity action together with FIDS a disabled sailing programme in mini 12 meter boats) and great regional food, there will be maritime highlights for the visitors and spectators: Subscribors of the biggest local newspaper Schwäbische Zeitung will get 10% discount when booking a paddle and motorboat in the new Match Center Germany. This guarantees that fans based on shore close the gap to the sailing stars and get their own special view on the races!

On shore there will be a remote control race in a basin powered by wind machines in mini Cup boats. They are branded as the protagonists in Valencia were during the 32nd Cup. Additionally presented by Layer Grosshandel, there will be big Carrera Remote Race Car track with model race cars fascinating not only the young but also their adult company!

Being the biggest sports event in a triangle between Zürich (SUI) Munich (GER) and Stuttgart (GER) once again the event gives a big economic boost to a region known for inventions like the Zeppelin. Measurable in a considerable raise in hotel guests directly and the visit of app 35000 spectators directly in Langenargen. The organisors managed to create a highly appreciated event in the past decade for a lovely touristic region with the most scenic backdrop (mountains 2500m high). Team Match Race will hopefully be blessed with enough water in the lake to be able to moore the yachts after 1 year break again directly in the picturesque harbor of Langenargen.

'We work 365 days a year for this event and in the two weeks before the event an average of 18 hours, just for one goal: Generate interest in our loved sport of sailing, raise interest amongst the young people being the future of our sport and have everybody leave the event site with a smile on his face!' states Eberhard Magg (Speedwave). 'I believe we managed to be a match racing classic after 11 years now, with tradition and entertainment value for the whole family. The family trip to Langenargen over the long Pentecoast weekend will for sure be an adventure in people´s lives!'

In addition to the professionals competing in Match Race Germany, the organizers will hold for the second consecutive year the amateur event: BMW Sailing Cup presented by Automobile Wölfle, the local BMW dealer, and the organisors expect to have more than 50 individuals competing.

www.worldmatchracingtour.com