Langenargen, Germany, 17.4.2009

Comeback brings Easter Surprise:
World Champion Gilmour starts at Match Race Germany

This Easter surprise from the sympatic Australian professional Peter Gilmour has been well achieved. 4 times Match-Racing-World-Champion and his Yanmar Racing Team did usher their comeback into the World Match Racing Tour. The organisors of Match Race Germany are very happy about the first appearance in the 09 circuit of the America´s Cup winner in services from Alinghi:” Peter is one of the most successful sailors of all times. He will for sure entertain the spectators on and off the shore on the highest level!”, states Organisor Eberhard Magg.

Match Race Germany –“You wouldn’t want to miss it!” states Peter Gilmour, “We are excited to be heading back and have had a long enjoyable involvement with the event.” Besides Gilmour also Ben Ainslie sets course and heads to Lake Constance. The 3 times Olympic Champion, who could become the most successful Olympian of all times in 2012 on home turf, will bring his core team of TeamOrigin to Langenargen.
Ainslie will be expected by the best match racers in the world. With French America´s Cup Skipper Seb Col and his compatriot Matthieu Richard, the world number 1 and 2 have entered. New Zealand shooting star Adam Minoprio (No.9 ISAF rankings)will return, and so will be 2007 Champion Paolo Cian (5 ISAF rankings). Young and wild Torvar Mirsky from Australia will be in Langenargen as well as most of the ISAF Top 10.

Already as of now, Eberhard Magg is sure: “ We will have one of the best line up´s ever, for the 12thedition of Match Race Germany and worthy that as a big compliment in these difficult times!” Along with Magg, long time partner Harald Thierer vouch since 2000 for a German Tour Stop that belongs as a fixed star to the Tour. Regularily more than 30.000 spectators and more find the way to Langenargen to enjoy match racing demonstrations of the highest level and of highest caliber, paired with entertainment on shore.

The event will be sailed in sportive Bavaria 35 Match Yachts, not only for decisive points towards the Tour leaderboard, but also for 50.000 US$ in prize money as well as important points towards the ISAF world ranking list. On top of that, a lot of prestige is at stake on the road to build that match racing touch, which might be decisive for a involvement on any AC team in the future. Organising Club is the Yacht Club Langenargen e.V. with Michael Nöltge as president and the charismatic PRO Rudi Magg.

Matching with the stars spangled list of competitors, the organisors were able to score high on shore yet again in 2009. “ Despite the very difficult times, we achieved to attract and convince new top brands in addition to our long term loyal partners.” states Harald Thierer. New partners are Moet Hennessy with their brands Veuve Cliquot and Glenmorangie. An international brand icon , known for the best chainsaws in the world, Stihl extends their involvement compared to last year. On the bruised financial market, a clear sign was set by UBS, who will bring 50 guests to Langenargen. Car manufacturer AUDI joined as well as the Industry and Trade Chamber of the Lake Constance region the IHK with their slogan: “ Elite Sport meets Elite region”.

The town of Langenargen supports their sportive highlight very intensively each year again, counting on a big indirect profitability of the popular spectators event, which attracts guests from around the lake, the international region of Austria and Switzerland but also international visitors and in the people from all over Germany. Flanked by Ultramarin, the biggest marina on the lake, the new Match Center Germany with it´s “sail academy” and successful business coachings, as well as Bavaria Yachts, Match Race Germany will be starting stronger than ever. The sailing pro´s will also benefit from newly installed pontoons in the event marina in Langenargen.

Correspondingly attractive, the on and off shore programme will be: The Yacht Club Langenargen e.V. offers test sailing in Optimists for kids. The ambitious Opti sailor will get a chance to compete in team races against each other in : “Team Race Germany”, and will for sure get inspired and encouraged meeting theirs stars to continue and improve in the sport of sailing. As usual there will be a pirates themed kid´s programme. The opening ceremony will be held traditionally in the Montfort Castle on the 28th of May.

From Friday through to Monday there will be musical entertainment in the party tent. The event site and all activities are free to enter for the public! The man on the microphone “The Voice” will once again be Christoph Schumann, who will comment the action live both on and off the shore!