Team news

United Internet Team Germany sign Stefan Großmann

From April, Stefan Großmann from Munich will be member 24 of the first German America's Cup campaign's sailing crew. The 31-year old grinder is not really new to the German team. He had been part of the crew during the Acts 4 and 5 in Valencia 2005, the first pre-regattas to the 32nd America's Cup. So Großmann played his part on board in the first race victory ever won by the German boat, the sensational match-race triumph over K-Challenge (France). Now, he will return to lend United Internet Team Germany his power in working the grinders.

"Stefan passed the sailing tests with flying colours last summer," says skipper Jesper Bank, "and now is the ideal addition to our crew." The target of the Danish skipper is to build a core of 26 sailors who are to sail the training boat GER-72 against the new yacht GER-89 in the latter half of the year. Even if they will stay below the full manoeuvre size of 17 per boat, Bank says that a crew of 13 on board are enough for solid boat-to-boat tests. Another advantage is that every sailor will have a position on board during the trainings, thus minimizing the potential for frustration being "reserve".

Stefan Großmann has been involved in water sports for 14 years, and in the course of his six-year sailing career has turned into a passionate grinder. In this position, he has taken part in numerous blue-water races and offshore regattas, among them the German IMS Championship on board the JV49 yacht Unique (formerly Rubin). "I'm very happy to be part of the United Internet Team Germany again. Sport is my life, and for me, this has always had to do with power and performance. So my goal is to become one of the best grinders out there," said the 1.88-metre tall athlete.

The whole of United Internet Team Germany looks forward to his arrival: "It's great to have Stefan Großmann back with us. He is a very strong grinder, works hard, and what's more, he is very nice guy to be with. He is exactly the right type to reinforce our team," says Jesper Bank and many others share his view.

For his time with the United Internet Team Germany, Großmann has achieved a leave of absence from his employer Lufthansa, where he works as a trained engine technician. Starting 1 April 2006, he will trade his workplace in Munich for one in Valencia. There, he will easily find a home away from home, as he may soon be engaged in an intra-family duel: Stefan Großmann is the brother-in-law of Tony Kolb, the successful round-the-world sailor from Munich, now bowman with US team BMW Oracle Racing.

Including the Munich-based family man who was born in Lüchow-Dannenberg in Lower Saxony, the United Internet Team Germany crew now comprises 13 Germans and eleven international sailors. During the weeks to come, two more athletes are to complete the team for the America's Cup 2007. Who and when will remain the skipper's secret – until the contracts are signed, says Jesper Bank.