Hamburg shipowner Claus-Peter Offen is the new president of the International Maxi Association (IMA), the international class association for maxi yachts. The owners of the world's fastest sailing yachts from a length of 18 metres upwards elected the 62-year-old unanimously on Thursday, the rest day of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo.
Offen succeeds the gas and media tycoon George Lindemann (USA). The German industrialist Otto Happel was appointed Vice President for the Cruising and Spirit of Tradition regatta divisions.
Offen is the owner of the 28.55 metre "Y3K" and is currently in fourth place in the unofficial world championship for maxi yachts in the racing division. Last year, he won the title in the W division. His main tasks include the coordination of the regatta calendar and a fair division of classes. "Under my aegis, the focus of interest will probably shift back to the racing division," said the new president, who is very familiar with handicap factors and measurement formulas.
As the owner of the 55 metre long "Adela", Lindemann was more concerned with the interests of the classics. Otto Happel, owner of the 38.25 metre long "Hetairos", now represents them. She is the overall leader in the Spirit of Tradition class of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2006. Last year, Happel won the Racing Division with his "Black Dragon".
