Lufthansa to sponsor Longtze European Tour

by Longtze Event Media on 4 Dec 2008 Lufthansa and Longtze Yachts have decided to raise their sails together in the new Longtze European Tour, a circuit which will take place in five events spread over the 2009 year.

Longtze Yachts was established in 2007 during the America’s Cup campaign led by Le Defi under the China Team colours. Sailors and designers had taken advantage of 10 years of America’s Cup experience to develop a new, ultra performance, high-tech boat. Since its launching, the Longtze Premier has graced waters in Europe and Asia. The prototypes won the China Cup in 2007. In 2008, the production series boat accomplished a double victory in Hong-Kong, winning the Lipton Trophy and the Loro Piana Around The Island Race, amongst a fleet of more than 100 boats. It has also made a statement in Europe, bringing home victories in France, Switzerland, Belgium and Holland.

The German company Lufthansa has been involved with sports for several years now at a international level in handball, football, and the Olympic and Paralympic games. This is in addition to the company’s activities in France where they have been involved during recent years with professional tennis and polo (St Tropez Polo Club). This year Lufthansa has prolonged their sporting sponsorship by hoisting their colors on Longtze Premier sails for the occasion of the Longtze European Tour races.

This choice demonstrates the sharing of common values in a sport synonymous with performance, innovation, emotion and a respect for the environment. ?With these objectives, Lufthansa is present on the Longtze Premier alongside Breitling, Swiss, Sixt and Murphy & Nye.

Pierre Mas said 'It is with great pleasure that we welcome Lufthansa to the Longtze European Tour. It is a well-known name and large entity who is joining us today. We wanted to offer our partners a high quality environment, which benefits from our experience in top level sailing events. To develop a efficient program; friendly and exciting… This is manifestly what is prepared for 2009!'

Within this framework, the newly signed partner for the 2009 season, on their Longtze Premier with Lufthansa colors, will participate in the following 5 regattas:
• The Primo Cup, Trophée Crédit Suisse : 12-15 February 2009 (Monaco)?
• The Grand Prix de l'Ecole Navale: 21-24 May 2009 (France)?
• Deauville International Week: 4-7 June 2009 (France)?
• The Light Vessel Race, Zeebrugge: 4-6 September 2009 (Belgium)?
• The Lake Constance Regatta, Kreuzlingen, 16-18 October 2009 (Switzerland)