Jochen Schumann joins host team for Nice, Louis Vuitton World Series

by Stephanie Nadin on 9 Sep 2009
A new era has come in the sport of sailing with the launch of the Louis Vuitton World Series.

It is also a new day for K-Challenge, a team who never stopped working since it took par to the 32nd America's Cup, including a participation in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series last February.

K-Challenge has announced that the French professional sailing team joins forces with three times Olympic Gold medallist and two times America’s Cup Winner Jochen Schümann. The 54 year old German will lead the team together with Stephan Kandler as Sports Director and Skipper.

A new sailing team in Europe will now come out of the association of three key players: Jochen Schümann, Stephane Kandler and Sebastien Col.

Jochen Schümann is one of the greatest names and most respected sailors of the international sailing scene. His record, his leadership and charisma will be one of the essential weapons of this new team, allowing to reach the highest level and to become one of the favourites in all the competitions it will take part to.

Jochen Schümann: « I'm very much looking forward to sailing together with such a young and successful match racer like Seb Col. Together with Stephane, Seb and some of our other former team mates we will build a strong team which will bring some fresh air to the LVWS. Thanks to Stephane Kandler who is offering me the opportunity to build up a strong European Team! »

Sebastien Col, Helmsman: 'Working with such a top-level sailor like Jochen Schümann is a chance that we only have once in a career. It is a huge added-value for the team. I'm really in a hurry to work with him and to sail again with a team that will be much stronger for the Louis Vuitton World Series.'

Stephane Kandler, K-Challenge's CEO: 'We are moving another step up with Jochen Schümann and Sebastien Col together. I'm thrilled that Jochen Schümann chose to join forces with us. Our views were the same to create a new key player in the game in Europe, and we look forward to present the result of our common work.'

The revealing of the new team's name, colors, philosophy and team members will come very soon.

K-Challenge is also the Host Team for Louis Vuitton World Series in Nice, in November 2009.

The Series, confirmed September 2, is attracting world-class professional teams, including K-Challenge, as well international waterfront cities for hosting future events.

The Mayor of Nice, the World Sailing Team Association (WSTA) and Louis Vuitton announced today the first Louis Vuitton World Series event will be held in Nice, France on the 7- 22 November 2009.
Besides having been one of the founders of the World Sailing Team Association, K-Challenge is honoured to be the Host Team for the opening event of the Louis Vuitton World Series, as the team has helped in establishing Nice, France as the Host City for the November event.

Stephane Kandler, K-Challenge's CEO: 'The Louis Vuitton World Series is the result of hard teamwork between the teams forming the WSTA, Louis Vuitton, and we are very proud to have played a key role in setting up the first event in France with the City of Nice where we will be the Host Team. We look forward to make it a real success. This circuit is a new era for our sport.'

The second Louis Vuitton World Series event is scheduled for Auckland, New Zealand in March 2010 Series and probably La Maddalena (Italy) in May.

Jochen Schümann is the most successful German sailor. Team Germany's leader in 2008, he won the America's Cup twice with Alinghi in 2003 and 2007 as a sailor and Sailing Manager. He also has 3 Olympic Gold medals and 1 Silver medal. (Gold in Montreal 76 in Finn, Seoul 88 and Atlanta 96 in Soling, Silver in Sydney 2000 in Soling).


Stephanie Nadin