The long and controversial discussion about the sponsorship of this year's regatta week has come to a conclusion: as was announced today, the car manufacturer from Ingolstadt is the new "presenting partner".
For the past seven years, BMW had acted as such a sponsor. However, the Munich-based company did not exercise its option to extend the existing contract for a further three years before the start of Kiel Week 2009, which resulted in the event organisers entering into talks with other potential sponsors.
"We are proud to present Audi as a new partner. The signing of this contract proves that Kieler Woche is a highly attractive event for globally successful companies," said Kiel's Lord Mayor Torsten Albig. The main sponsors invest a mid-six-figure sum in the event every year.
"Audi has already made a good name for itself in international sailing with its successful involvement in the Audi MedCup and is continuing this seamlessly with its support for Kieler Woche," assured Michael-Julius Renz, Head of Sales Germany, AUDI AG.
Details of Audi's involvement are to be announced on 25 January at the "boot" trade fair in Düsseldorf.
