Illbruck Launches Pinta Challenge With Goal of Winning America’s Cup

by Jane Eagleson on 13 Jun 2002 Less than 24 hours after successfully completing the Volvo
Ocean Race, Michael Illbruck announced plans to launch a new sailing
campaign titled “Pinta Challenge” with the goal of winning Americas’ Cup
XXXII in 2006.

At a joint press conference with the Deutscher Segler Verband (German
sailing federation) on Monday June 10, Illbruck, joined by Dierk Thomsen,
DSV President, outlined the new business model to build a program that
will offer partners and sponsors a unique media and marketing platform and
a sailing team capable of successfully challenging for the world’s most
prestigious sailing trophies.

Illbruck also was joined by members of his successful Volvo Ocean Race
crew including skipper John Kostecki, sail program manager Ross Halcrow
and bowman Tony Kolb. Design and R&D Director Michael Richelsen also is
part of the team that will provide the core know-how and experience for
the new program.

“We have learned a lot from our experience with the Volvo Ocean Race and
we now want to take this knowledge to the next level,” Illbruck said. “We
have a new business model that allows us to bring on new partners and
sponsors around a newly defined marketing and media platform, centered on
sailing, technology, teamwork and nature/environment.”

Michael Illbruck outlined a six-point program for achieving this goal:

*Create a new independent entity called “Pinta Challenge” separate from
illbruck GmbH. “Pinta” is the traditional name of the long line of grand
prix racing yachts sailed by the Illbruck family since 1969.

*Challenge for the world’s most prestigious sailing trophies with a focus
on the 2005/2006 America’s Cup

*Become the premier professional sailing team offering partners and
sponsors a unique media and marketing opportunity

*Combine the elements of sailing, technology, teamwork plus nature and
environment

*Develop innovative marketing and media programs to attract the necessary
financial commitment of major corporations in Germany and Europe

*Offer core competencies of sailing and technology as well as business
development including campaign development and marketing, sponsor and
corporate relations and media and communications.

“We now have the proven sailing track record and the independence to take
this syndicate to the next level,” Illbruck said. “The enormous welcome in
Kiel and the overall media interest indicates that sailing is on a
long-term upward trend with significant potential still unlocked. We want
to win the America’s Cup together with new partners and sponsors.”