For the first time, a German yacht is fighting for the sailing crown. Willy Kuhweide, Commodore of the German Challenger Yacht Club, registered the "United Internet Team Germany" as a challenger for the 32nd America's Cup last night at 10.30 p.m. in Valencia, just a few hours before the entry deadline.
The syndicate bears the name of the main sponsor, United Internet AG from Montabaur, and is operated by Deutsche Challenge 2007 AG, which went public in September 2004 under the working title Fresh Seventeen with the preparations for a Cup participation. The project management made the official announcement today at lunchtime at the Seglerhaus am Wannsee clubhouse in Berlin.
Proud and satisfied, Kuhweide flew into his home city of Berlin from Spain this morning. "It is both a historic challenge and a source of satisfaction to finally be able to launch a promising German campaign for the first Americas Cup in Europe," said the 1964 Olympic champion. It was the involvement of internet service provider United Internet AG, known primarily for its GMX and 1&1 brands, that cleared the way at the last moment and secured the project until 2007.
"Sailing as a high-tech sport and our Internet business are an ideal match," said Ralph Dommermuth, CEO of United Internet AG, explaining the commitment. For the main sponsorship, the company will occupy the majority of all advertising space on board and around the team. "We are open to a second sponsor if it suits the campaign, but we don't necessarily need it," says Uwe Sasse, Managing Director of DC 2007 AG.
Amateur sailor Dommermuth, who has also taken over 50 per cent of the shares in DC 2007 AG, personally pledged further capital if necessary to achieve the sporting goals.
"We still want to reach the semi-finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup of Challengers," emphasised Danish skipper Jesper Bank. The two-time Olympic gold medallist had surprisingly finished fifth at his first attempt in 2003 with the Swedish syndicate "Victory Challenge". Bank: "We may be celebrating now, but we'll be working hard for two years from tomorrow."
Interest in the 32nd Americas Cup, which has been held almost exclusively in the USA and most recently in New Zealand for 150 years, is already enormous. ARD and ZDF have contractually secured the television broadcasting rights for the regattas. The first qualifying races will begin in June this year to determine the best challenger, who will compete against the Swiss title holder "Alinghi" from the Société Nautique de Genève in summer 2007.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
