Igor Simčič (left) and Jochen Schümann. Image copyright Esimit.com
by Esimit Europa media
The most successful German sailor of all times, Jochen Schümann, confirmed his presence as skipper of Esimit Europa 2, the only yacht in the world to sail under the European flag. Schümann, two times America's Cup winner and three times Olympic champion, holds several world and European titles in different sailing classes.
Esimit Europa 2. Image copyright esimit.com
About getting involved in a project which is promoting better understanding among European peoples, Schümann stated: "It is obviously a great honour for me to join this European team. Europe is one of the wealthiest and most developed continents in the world, even though it is also one of the smaller ones. I think that the single European nations are too small if we want to remain competitive in the global development of mankind.
"Since we are physically living on the same continent, the most logical thing is that Europeans cooperate to achieve a better future. And that's why we need one boat: we are Germans, Slovenians, Italians, French, Spanish or whatever, but everyone is driving the same boat, the same Europe, and we are driving the continent together in this global development". Sailing has always been uniting peoples and continents, he is convinced: "It is not against an other continent, it is just about having the best progress, the best performance, because of good collaboration".
"It is a great pleasure to announce the beginning of such a significant cooperation on Europe's day. It has a special meaning for us", Igor Simčič, the owner of the yacht, stated. "Jochen Schümann is not only one of the world's most outstanding sailors. He is a very noble man, who dedicated his life to sailing as a means of bringing peoples closer to each other. I am genuinely convinced that, with one more acquisition, this team can become history. The Esimit Europa 2 crew will be a living example to all Europeans of what can we achieve if we truly join our forces".
Esimit Europa 2. Image copyright esimit.com
Esimit Europa 2 is one of the fastest and technologically most advanced sailing yachts in the world. The 30-meters long maxi sails under the patronage of Mr. José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, and is sponsored by Gazprom. In its first season in 2010, the yacht won all the attended regattas and scored 11 consecutive race victories, providing 11 occasions for Europeans to cheer for their continent and to see the European flag climb upon the highest step of the podium.
Esimit Europa 2
