20 years after the triumph of the "Illbruck", the German colours of black, red and gold are to be represented in the sea marathon for the first time again. Star boat world champion Robert Stanjek as team captain and team manager Jens Kuphal are the driving forces behind the project and have jointly created the structures of Offshore Team Germany (OTG). The official launch of the campaign is scheduled for Kieler Woche.
The team already achieved respectable success in the Classe Mini in 2017, in which Jörg Riechers finished second with his own prototype development "Lilienthal". Following Riechers' departure, Morten Bogacki will take his place in the Mini in future.
However, the team is now aiming much higher: the next The Ocean Race (TOR). According to manager Kuphal, the team has been in close contact with the new TOR management for over six months and preparations for a successful participation in the next edition of the race are in full swing.
Refit nearing completion
The OTG acquired the former "Acciona", an Imoca Open 60, two years ago. In recent months, a new ship has been built around the hull of the boat, which was built for the Vendée Globe 2012. The Trimarine shipyard in Lisbon/Portugal, which is experienced in the offshore sector, has brought the hull of the yacht up to the latest technical standard with extensive composite work and modifications.
With the completion of the project, the previous project manager Charles Euverte (DMG Mori) has placed further work in the hands of Joff Brown (Hugo Boss/Lighthouse). He is now responsible for refitting the yacht with keel, mast, electrics, electronics and rigging. The yacht has been transferred to Gosport/South England for this purpose.
"We have been able to recruit highly recognised experts for our project management who stand for absolute top quality in modern yacht building," says Kuphal. "With Joff Brown, we are working directly with the British sailing icon Alex Thomson."
Fastnet Race as the first endurance test
The OTG yacht is due to enter the water in May, then come to Kiel for a show race and finally pass its first test at the legendary Fastnet Race. Under the leadership of Robert Stanjek, former Starboat Vice World Champion, the OTG team will be the first Imoca to compete in fully crewed mode with international sailors and young German sailors on board.
The data and experience gathered will then be analysed and, on this basis and following the announcement of the TOR route, the latest generation foils will be manufactured and installed in order to catapult the yacht directly into preparation for The Ocean Race and into the current foil era.
Official launch of the Kiel Week campaign
In the history of the world race, which has been held since 1973, the 2002 Kiel final still stands for an unforgettable chapter in German sailing history. 300,000 people on land and at sea welcomed the fleet and set the fjord buzzing. "It's unbelievable, simply unbelievable. Much better than anyone thought. This is the top sailing spot, unbelievable. I have an Olympic medal. But this is the best," John Kostecki, the victorious "Illbruck" skipper, gushed at the time.
With Kiel.Sailing.City, a strong partner is pulling in the same direction as Offshore Team Germany. Axel Bauerdorf, authorised signatory at Kiel-Marketing GmbH, has been informed about every development at OTG right from the start. And Kiel wants to become a stage location again, thus strengthening a German campaign for The Ocean Race.
"We are in direct and close contact with those responsible at TOR as well as in close dialogue with Offshore Team Germany," says Bauerdorf. It is extremely important for the race that a German team is at the start. "We recognise the importance of a German location for the race. We will use the next few weeks intensively to advance the application together with all those involved. We are delighted that two people, Jens Kuphal and Robert Stanjek, are pursuing the TOR project very professionally and I hope that we can make our contribution to its success."
"One of the key factors on the way to Alicante 2021 is joining forces with the city of Kiel as a possible stopover in the upcoming race," says Team Manager Kuphal and wants to give the emotional starting signal for the project in Kiel once the Imoca has been completed: "We will officially present our campaign at the start of Kieler Woche and celebrate in style with our boat christening." Participation in the Welcome Race is also planned.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
