Willy Kuhweide, Olympic champion in the Finn Dinghy in Tokyo in 1964, wants to raise 45 million euros for the German America's Cup syndicate Fresh seventeen by the end of November.
"Our first talks with sponsors were very successful," Kuhweide told the Hamburger Abendblatt newspaper. The second round will begin shortly. And as the marketers of Deutsche Challenge 2007 AG (DC 2007 AG) have already done their homework, there is no need for weeks of reworking after the presentations.
The 61-year-old does not see a major disadvantage in not yet sailing off Valencia like the other major sailing nations. "We are already working in the background in all areas, both in terms of personnel planning and the procurement of used boats or building sites," says Kuhweide. As soon as the necessary budget is available and Fresh seventeen is registered as an official challenge in Geneva, the entire machinery will be set in motion. "We want to do honourably in 2007 so that we can bring the trophy (the winner's cup; editor's note) to Germany in the following 33rd America's Cup."
It is still unclear to what extent the German campaign will receive support from ARD, which broadcast the last America's Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, live on German television at surprisingly high cost. If the broadcaster were to get involved again, this would of course offer any sponsors an enormous media presence and therefore a good return on investment. However, negotiations regarding the rights are still pending.
