Peter Gilmour after winning the 2008 Monsoon Cup on the World Match Racing Tour. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.
by Eberhard Magg
There was an Easter surprise for the organisers of Match Race Germany this year in the form of Australian, Peter Gilmour. The four time Match Racing World Champion and his Yanmar Racing Team have announced their comeback onto the World Match Racing Tour. This will be the first appearance on the 09 circuit of the America’s Cup legend.
‘Peter is one of the most successful sailors of all time. He will for sure entertain the spectators on and off the shore on the highest level!’ said organiser Eberhard Magg.
Match Race Germany –‘You wouldn’t want to miss it!’ said Peter Gilmour, ‘We are excited to be heading back and have had a long enjoyable involvement with the event.”
Besides Gilmour, Ben Ainslie also sets course and heads to Lake Constance. The 3 times Olympic Champion, who could become the most successful Olympian of all times in 2012 on home turf, will bring the core of his TEAMORIGIN to Langenargen.
Ainslie will be joined by some of the best match racers in the world. French America’s Cup Skipper Sébastien Col and his compatriot Mathieu Richard, the world number 1 and 2 have entered. New Zealand shooting star and leader of the World Tour, Adam Minoprio will return, and so will 2007 Champion Paolo Cian (5th ISAF rankings). Young and wild Torvar Mirsky from Australia will be in Langenargen as well as most of the ISAF Top 10.
As of right now, Eberhard Magg is sure ‘We will have one of the best line up’s ever, for the 12th edition of Match Race Germany and that is a big compliment in these difficult times!’
Along with Magg, long time event partner Harald Thierer has helped run Match Race Germany, which has been part of the Tour since the year 2000. Every year more than 30,000 spectators find their way to Langenargen to enjoy the highest level of match racing, paired with a huge range of entertainment on shore.
The event will be sailed in sportive Bavaria 35 Match Yachts, not only for decisive points towards the Tour leaderboard, but also for US$50,000 in prize money and points towards the ISAF world ranking list. On top of that, a lot of prestige is at stake on the road to build match racing skills, which will be decisive for involvement on any AC team in the future. The Organising Club is the Yacht Club Langenargen e.V. with Michael Nöltge as president and the charismatic PRO Rudi Magg.
Matching with the star spangled list of competitors, the organisers will score high on shore yet again in 2009. ‘Despite the very difficult times, we have managed to attract and convince new top brands in addition to our long term loyal partners.’ said Harald Thierer. New partners are Moet Hennessy with their brands Veuve Cliquot and Glenmorangie. Another international brand icon, known for the best chainsaws in the world, Stihl increases their involvement compared to last year. On the bruised financial market, a clear sign has been set by UBS, who will bring 50 guests to Langenargen. Car manufacturer AUDI has joined along with the Industry and Trade Chamber of the Lake Constance region the IHK with their slogan: ‘Elite Sport meets Elite region’.
The town of Langenargen will support their annual sports highlight again, counting on a big indirect profitability of the popular spectators event, which attracts guests from around the lake, neighbouring countries such as Austria and Switzerland as well as other international visitors and people from all over Germany. Flanked by Ultramarin, the biggest marina on the lake, the new Match Center Germany with its “sail academy” and successful business coaching events as well as Bavaria Yachts, Match Race Germany will start stronger than ever. The sailing pros will also benefit from newly installed pontoons in the event marina in Langenargen.
Another attraction in the on and off the water programme will see the Yacht Club Langenargen e.V. offering kids the opportunity of a test sail in Optimists. The ambitious Opti sailor will get a chance to compete in team races against each other in “Team Race Germany”, and will no doubt be inspired and encouraged meeting theirs sailing hero’s to continue and improve in the sport of sailing. As usual there will be a pirate themed kid’s programme. The opening ceremony will be held at its traditional home in the Montfort Castle on the 28th of May.
From Friday through to Monday there will be musical entertainment in the party tent. Access to the event site and all activities are free of charge to all visitors. The man on the microphone “The Voice” will once again be Christoph Schumann, who will be commentating on the action both on and off the shore!
Current World Match Racing Tour Leaderboard (top eight teams after stage one of ten):
1. Adam Minoprio (NZL) Emirates Team New Zealand/BlackMatch Racing, 25
2. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team/ French Team Spirit, 20
3. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team, 15
4. Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team, 12
5. Ed Baird (USA) Alinghi, 10
6. Sebastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/K-Challenge, 8
7. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Shosholoza, 6
8. Ian Williams (GBR) Bahrain Team Pindar, 4 points
Match Race Germany
World Match Racing Tour
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