Fresh Seventeen update

German America's Cup team secure a builder

The German America's Cup campaign Fresh Seventeen plans to have its new Cup yacht built by Knierim in Kiel in 2005/2006. The renowned shipyard promises to deliver state-of-the-art technology thanks to the substantial support of stake-holder Klaus Murmann.

This has been generally agreed between the Deutsche Challenge 2007 AG (DC 2007 AG) and the traditional yacht builders whose premises are located on the south bank of Kiel Canal.

Meanwhile DC 2007 AG are still decided whether or not to file their entry through the Deutscher Challenger Yacht Club (DCYC).

"We need some more time for sponsor negotiations," said Alexander von Bergwelt, chairman of the DC 2007 AG advisory board. According to von Bergwelt, the talks so far have been very promising, and "we have no doubts that we will reach our target."

Fresh Seventeen went public in the late summer and plans to get to the America's Cup with a budget of 45 million Euros. 17 December is the official closing date for entries, but for a fee this can be delayed until 28 April 2005. Despite the short lived plans of Michael Illbruch for the 2003 event, never before has a German boat taken part in the America's Cup.

Already the German public broadcasting companies ARD and ZDF are about to close their contracts for the TV rights to cover the regatta series. "The America's Cup will be one of the most important sport events in 2007," points out ARD sports co-ordinator Hagen Bosdorf. Even the preparations of the German team are of great interest.

"The planning process is moving at full speed," says Willy Kuhweide, Commodore of the DCYC. "We want to make an impact in the pre-races and, of course, at the Cup itself - not only out on the water, but also with the shore programme for our partners."

The 1964 Olympic gold medallist acts as a consultant to the board in all matters of concern from the overall public presentation of the campaign to the building of the team.
More than 120 applicants have so far asked to become part of the Fresh Seventeen team, for the most part sailors, but also sailmakers, boat builders and deck hands.

"There is so much enthusiasm", report Andreas John, sport director of the AG, and Eberhard Magg, technical director. In the meantime, the project leaders have met with high-level potential skippers with Cup experience, who have all confirmed their interest in the German team, but do not want to be named until the final start of the project.

The Knierim shipyard however are happy to be associated with the new German America's Cupper-to-be. "It is at the same time an honour as it gives us a lot of drive to build the German AC yacht. It is not only a very prestigious project, but it will set new technological standards in Germany", says Kiel-based business man and offshore sailor Klaus Murmann. In 2002, Knierim Yachtbau GmbH built Murmann's 26m maxi UCA, the biggest carbon-fibre high-tech yacht constructed in Germany so far.