Eberhard Magg, one of the organisers of Match Race Germany. Image copyright World Match Racing Tour.
Interview by Yvonne Reid, World Match Racing Tour
In spite of the economic crisis and the AC stand still organisers of Match Race Germany continue to strive for success.
There are a lot reasons for the organisers of Match Race Germany to be happy. With their newly founded company Match Race Germany Ltd and the goal to support and encourage the younger generation of match racers through the ranks. In the difficult economic climate the two guys from Germany Eberhard Magg and Harald Thierer hold course for success. The forced break in the America’s Cup has had a huge affect on everyone involved in the sailing industry and although it is mainly negative these two entrepreneurs remain positive. In an interview with Eberhard Magg co founder of the first ever German AC Team and organiser of Match Race Germany reflects upon how Match Race Germany will continue to succeed and prosper in these difficult times.
Are you getting rich as an event organiser?
Unfortunately not, but we are amongst the few that are able to put on an event and break even. Of course we want to earn money and that’s why we founded our German Match Race Ltd company, but for now we are enthusiasts who want to move people in and for the sport of sailing. Our long term goal is to encourage the next generation of talent so when the America’s Cup returns to a multi challenger event we will have a pool of talent for a German team. It is so satisfying to look out on the water today and see the young optimist sailors racing in front of the professionals competing at Match Race Germany. It is very rewarding and I think god must be a sailor.
Two days before the start of Match Race Germany saw Langenargen experience a Force 12 storm. Such conditions haven’t been seen in 10 years. At any point did you think you would have to cancel the event?
Our whole team were working night and day in unbelievable conditions to guarantee the event would start on time. We haven’t seen a storm like this in 10 years, the sky was all shades of colour from yellow to green and finally black, there were boats flying through the air and the water level was so high on the lake that water was coming in to our office through the windows, the hospitality tents were wrapped around the trees so tightly. We were not deterred and were motivated to get through and Match Race Germany is an important event for us not just locally but globally. So in answer to your question, no at no point did we even consider cancelling the event.
This year you have one of the strongest fields ever. Why do think that is?
Yes we have four time World Champion Peter Gilmour, current World Champion Ian Williams, ISAF ranked number one and two Sébastien Col and Mathieu Richard as well as three time Olympic Gold medallist Ben Ainslie. I believe they come to Germany because it has the right mix of professionalism and a friendly atmosphere.
How has the America’s Cup mess affected Match Race Germany?
I have two hats on here my first as co-founder of Germany’s America’s Cup Team, obviously it is very sad to see the fall of the America’s Cup. In Germany we were ready to be part of a multi challenger event and this is now dead and that hurts, especially when so much hard work has been done with sponsors, designers, boat builders and sailors. For now everyone involved has to find new ways to survive until the next multi challenger AC. My other hat as an event organiser is happy to welcome all the skippers from AC teams that are looking to maintain and tune their match racing skills in the absence of the America’s Cup.
Has the economic crisis affected your event at all?
Yes it has however in this region of Germany we are renowned for tightening our belts and this year we have had to put another hole in the belt and stay optimistic for the years to come and for this we rely on our sailors and partners.
Match Race Germany
World Match Racing Tour
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