WMRT: Magnificent Castle setting for opening of Stage 2 of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour

Match Race Germany Hosts Opening Ceremony at Historic Schloss Montfort


Regal setting for Stage 2 - Match Race Germany - opening ceremony. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/SubZero Images 2010.

by Cailah Leask

Langenargen is a city rich in history and was first mentioned in records as far back as 43 AD. The organisers of Match Race Germany, Stage 2 of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour, chose to involve all of the 12 skippers and crews entered within the local history through an invitation to the Opening Ceremony at the resplendent Schloss Montfort. The castle overlooks Lake Constance where the match racing combat starts tomorrow, May 20.

Schloss Montfort has weathered a chequered history with time serving as a defensive castle during the 17th century and then as a prison during the early 1800s. William I of Württemberg then re-modelled the castle into a ‘pleasure palace’ in Moorish style to resemble Villa Avigdor, Nice. By 1873 the Palace was sold to the beautiful Princess of Prussia who used it as a water fronted summer residence. The Schloβ is now widely used as the ultimate night club location.


Schloss Montfort illuminates Lake Constance. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/SubZero Images 2010.

The sailing community of Langenargen joined competitors, sponsors and partners to open the 13th edition of Match Race Germany in regal style. Director of Match Race Germany, Eberhard Magg, addressed the crowd at the welcoming ceremony, said “We are happy to be part of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour for the 10th year in a row, and are looking forward to hosting the best match racers in the World at Langenargen. The Match Race Germany Team and the sailors will do their best to ensure there is action packed matches on the water and great entertainment on the shore for everyone to enjoy”.

This is one of the biggest profiled international events for Langenargen to host and the team has been working round the clock to maintain their status as a world class Tour competition, Magg went on to say, “finally a year’s preparation is coming to fruition, many miles have been travelled to meet sponsors and time spent on logistics. The organisation is now visibly complete and it is now time for the people of Langenargen to enjoy hosting the visitors, sponsors, sailors and umpires who we annually welcome”.

Earlier in the day, 12 teams headed out for practise on the waters of Europe’s second largest fresh water lake. Bodensee, as it is known in German, was formed during the ice age by the Rhine Glacier. It is a geographic phenomenon having experienced the birth of mountains, the sculpting grind of glaciers, volcanic eruptions and the flood waters from glaciers melting. All sailors will have the experience of racing on a lake which borders three different countries and holds 220 square miles of fresh water.

Magg finished with a view to the natural elements that provide the essential ingredients to all match races, “may the weather and wind gods be with us for the 5 days of intense Match Race Germany action”.


First ever female skipper at Match Race Germany, Kathrin Kadelbach (right) with event director Eberhard Magg (centre) and Kadelbach's tactician, Ulrike Schumann (left). Image copyright Gareth Cooke/SubZero Images 2010.

For the all day Live Blog switching to Live Streaming between 14.00hrs - 16.00hrs (CET) go to www.wmrt.com

Skipper List - Stage 2 - Match Race Germany
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Gill Global Team
Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar
Ian Ainslie (RSA) Team Proximo
Mads Ebler (DEN) Ebler Matchracing
Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge
Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team
Kathrin Kadelback (GER) EWE Sailing Team

2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour Standings
(After Stage 1 of 10)
1. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 25 Points
2. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 20 Points
3. Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 15 Points
4. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia 12 Points
5. Sebastian Col (FRA) ALL 4 ONE 10 Points
6. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 8 Points
7. Philippe Presti (FRA) 6 Points
8. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 4 Points

Match Race Germany
World Match Racing Tour