The former sports director and the Swiss sailing syndicate Alinghi have parted company. After two Cup victories with the Swiss team, the man from Penzberg is now looking for a new employer - probably in the Cup environment again.
Schümann did not comment on the reasons for his departure from the successful Alinghi team. He told the FAZ that he was "free on the market". According to a dpa report, he is now looking for new challenges - probably in the America's Cup. However, he has not yet been specific.
One obvious employer would be Team Germany. Schümann has repeatedly emphasised in the past that he could imagine a role in a German challenge, but on the condition that this team would have to have a real chance of winning.
Karol Jablonski, the team's new skipper, told YACHT-online: "Discussions have taken place with Jochen, we have made an offer and we are still in contact. I would be more than happy for him to join us, but he is a man in great demand who must first weigh up his options and then choose the team that has the best chances of success."
One such team would be the American racing team Oracle Racing of software billionaire Larry Ellison, who has signed Cup superstar Russell Coutts as skipper for the upcoming Cup. Schümann celebrated victory with Coutts in 2003 and the two have known each other for a long time. In addition, the US syndicate is one of the most promising candidates due to its excellent logistical and financial resources and now also due to the signing of Coutts.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
