Squad complete

As United Internet Team Germany announce the 15th German in their sailing squad

United Internet Team Germany is now complete: 28 sailors in the German team will participate in the races of the 32nd America's Cup. When Jesper Bank's German team resumes training today (8 January) it's line-up will include a new team-member in Carsten Schon. The 44 years old German, who has lived in New Zealand for more than 30 years, joins the team as a trimmer with America's Cup experience and a Farr 40 class world championship title. He is the 15th German member of the sailing crew.

"We were looking for a trimmer and have found the right one with Carsten," says skipper Jesper Bank. "He has America's Cup experience already and is also a successful offshore sailor. Now, our team is complete." Carsten Schon was able to gain America's Cup experience in 2003 on board the former cup defender Team New Zealand. He was also sailing for the French team K-Challenge (now Areva Challenge) during the Louis Vuitton Acts in Malmö and Trapani in 2005.

"I was really keen on being part of the America´s Cup, that is why I joined the United Internet Team Germany," says Schon. "The best sailors, boat builders and designers of the world are here - the America's Cup is the pinnacle of sailing. I want to bring in my experience and know-how as a trimmer during the races as well as in sail development." Contact with the German Team was established soon after his employment with K-Challenge, but in November Schon and the United Internet Team Germany confirmed their collaboration.

Schon was born on 11 April 1962 in Preetz in Schleswig-Holstein. His family immigrated to New Zealand in 1973. Today he lives in Auckland with his wife Stephanie and the two children Danielle (6) and Josh (3). Sailing since his early childhood, Schon turned professional in 1988. Winning the Farr 40 World Championship in 2000 is one of his biggest successes so far. However, three times he has finished second in this class as well, including last year. Successful participations in the Admiral's Cup, Maxi- and ILC 40 World Championships as well as in the Sydney-Hobart Race are only a few of a long list of achievements in his sailing career.