Cream of the match race world head for Langenargen

Eberhard Magg previews Match Race Germany

Be they world champion, world ranking leader or Germany´s number 1: They all share one goal, to be helming a yacht in the 34th America's Cup one day soon. The crack match racers of the present are the Cup stars of the future and they will all compete in the World Match Racing World Tour grand prix event in Langenargen starting next week.

"I am full professional only since two years, heavily active on the World Tour and want to compete in the America´s Cup one year,” states reigning Match race World Champion Ian Williams. The former lawyer is looking forward to sail again on Lake Constance. “Match Race Germany is very special because of the big crowd attending and the friendly and warm atmosphere “.

This view is shared by Frenchman and ISAF World ranking leader Matthieu Richard, a regular at Match Race Germany. “I've sailed with the same crew since 2000. Together we have made it to the top spot of the rankings. I love match racing because it is intensive and complex and also because we get to visit lovely places around the world every year. My dream and personal goal is to win the America´s Cup with a French team!”

Winning the America's Cup is also the goal of Markus Wieser, Germany´s most successful match racer for the past two decades. The father of four daughters, who won the finals of Match Race Germany back in 2001 after a dramatic battle 3:2 against German Sailing icon Jochen Schuemann states: “ Together with Team Sea Dubai we are preparing for the 34th edition of the Cup.”

The America´s Cup is unanimously regarded as the pinnicle of sailing, and drives professional and talented young sailors from all over the world to levels of extraordinary excellence. Taking part in the WMRT means preparing on the highest level of the sport for that great goal.

Match Race Germany 2008 starts next Wednesday and finishes on Monday 12 May. 12 teams from nine nations will compete for the Championship points, world ranking points, prize money and prestige. The winner will be awarded once again the lovely handmade trophies from partner Kosta Boda.

The organisors hope to crack the 40,000 spectator mark this year. Accordingly packed is the programme on shore. There will be lots of action and party in the central tent from 8 till late. On Thursday there will be the 'Tower Horns Blues Band'. Traditionally on Sunday Jürgen Waideles Conversation will play funk and soul music accompanied by singer Elisa Kay, while on Monday morning Jürgen Waidele and his band Take a Dance will play for visitors. On Friday night the band XX Cult will perform in the Lake Constance region for the first time, rockin' the house, while the following day from 19:00 the Piano Crew will entertain not only their local fans, but also visitors from all over the world.

In addition the kids programme (painting a set of sails for a charity action together with FIDS a disabled sailing programme in mini-12 metre boats) and great regional food, there will be maritime highlights for the visitors and spectators: Subscribors of the biggest local newspaper Schwäbische Zeitung will get 10% discount when booking a paddle and motorboat in the new Match Centre Germany. This guarantees that fans based on shore close the gap to the sailing stars and get their own special view on the races!

On shore there will be a remote control race in a basin powered by wind machines in mini Cup boats. They are branded as the team from Valencia during the 32nd Cup. Additionally presented by Layer Grosshandel, there will be big Carrera Remote Race Car track with model race cars fascinating not only the young but also their adult company!

"We work 365 days a year for this event and in the two weeks before the event an average of 18 hours each day, just for one goal: to generate interest in our loved sport of sailing, raise interest among the young people being the future of our sport and have everybody leave the event site with a smile on his face!” states Eberhard Magg. “I believe we managed to be a match racing classic after 11 years now, with tradition and entertainment value for the whole family. The family trip to Langenargen over the long Pentecoast weekend will for sure be an adventure in people´s lifes!”

In addition tot he professionals competing in Match Race Germany, the organizers will hold for the second consecutive year the amateur event: BMW Sailing Cup presented by Automobile Wölfle, the local BMW dealer, and the organisors expect to have more than 50 individuals competing.

Participants:
Matthieu Richard FRA Weltranglistenposition ISAF 1 French Match Racing Team
Ian Williams GBR Amtierender Weltmeister ISAF 2 Team Pindar
Paolo Cian ITA ISAF 3 Team Shosholoza
Bjorn Hansen SWE ISAF 4 Alandia Sailing Team
Sebastian Col FRA ISAF 5 K-Challenge
Damien Iehl FRA ISAF 6 French Team
Peter Wibroe DEN ISAF 9 Team Wibroe
Staffan Lindberg FIN ISAF 10 Alandia Sailing Team
Eric Monin SUI ISAF 13 Qualifier Bodensee Team Search.ch
Adam Minoprio NZL ISAF 28 Emirates New Zealand
Markus Wieser GER ISAF 55 Qualifier Berlin Match Race Team Sea Dubai
Jes Gram Hansen DEN ISAF 106 Trifork Racing