German distraction

Match racers to head to Lake Constance between semis and finals of America's Cup

The timing is just right, the entries of high calibre - when the first gun for Germany´s one and only Grand Prix Match Race will be fired on 24 May, the America´s Cup wil be in full swing as 12 of the world´s best match racers assemble on the waters of Lake Constance in Southern Germany. The event will be held just between the semifinal and the finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

The organisors expect at least six to eight skippers from the top ten of the ISAF rankings, and also five out of the top eight of the World Match Racing Tour leaderboard. Among them will be the world number 1, Frenchmen Sebastian Col. The 29 year old helmsman of Areva Challenge is looking forward to compete and consolidate his number 1 spot, as well to improve in the tour rankings. Defending Champion and also recently appointed new Alinghi atch racing coach Peter Gilmour (three time Match Racing World Champion/three times Match Race German winner) will also return to Lake Constance to defend his title. The two German entries through qualifiers are Carsten Kemmling and a well known name in international Match Racing, Markus Wieser, who is planning a comeback to match racing in 2007.

"This is a very special year for us, we came a long way and want to continue in developing the event, the sport, and believe in a strong Match Racing future," states co-organiser Eberhard Magg of Speedwave. Together with his partner Harald Thierer of Visioneo they are proud to be in the Champions League of match racing as well as attracting more than 30.000 spectators every year.

Match Race Germany, a World Match Racing Tour event has grown slowly and healthily. A new feature - and more features will be announced over the next months - is a match race exhibition tent, 400sqm where sponsors present themselves but also entertainment, such as grinder contest, model AC yacht racing in a basin are all planned. Of course the cultural programme will continue with concerts every night making the sail-and-tainment something to look for , not only for the spectators but as well for the competitors and umpires.

Match Race Germany is the only German event in the World Match Racing Tour. Traditionally the event is sailed over a public holiday from 23-28 May. The yachts used will be Bavaria 35 Match, with eight yachts available. Attractive prices as well as 20.000€ in prize money are waiting for the competitors and on top of that the tour´s annual purse of 100,000€ plus a bonus prize from the tour partner BMW, a brand new BMW X3 are up for grabs.