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  • Sailing's Illbruck Plans America's Cup Challenge
Press Releases

Sailing's Illbruck Plans America's Cup Challenge

Sailing - 17 Jun 2002
   
Kiel, Germany – Less than 24 hours after successfully completing the Volvo Ocean Race, Michael Illbruck announced plans to launch a new sailing campaign titled 'Pinta Challenge' with the goal of winning Americas’ Cup XXXII in 2006.

At a joint press conference with the Deutscher Segler Verband (German sailing federation) on Monday June 10, Illbruck, joined by Dierk Thomsen, DSV President, outlined the new business model to build a program that will offer partners and sponsors a unique media and marketing platform and a sailing team capable of successfully challenging for the world’s most prestigious sailing trophies.

Illbruck also was joined by members of his successful Volvo Ocean Race crew including skipper John Kostecki, sail program manager Ross Halcrow and bowman Tony Kolb. Design and R&D Director Michael Richelsen also is part of the team that will provide the core know-how and experience for the new program.

'We have learned a lot from our experience with the Volvo Ocean Race and we now want to take this knowledge to the next level,' Illbruck said. 'We have a new business model that allows us to bring on new partners and sponsors around a newly defined marketing and media platform, centered on sailing, technology, teamwork and nature/environment.'

Michael Illbruck outlined a six-point program for achieving this goal:

  • Create a new independent entity called 'Pinta Challenge' separate from illbruck GmbH. 'Pinta' is the traditional name of the long line of grand prix racing yachts sailed by the Illbruck family since 1969


  • Challenge for the world’s most prestigious sailing trophies with a focus on the 2005/2006 America’s Cup


  • Become the premier professional sailing team offering partners and sponsors a unique media and marketing opportunity


  • Combine the elements of sailing, technology, teamwork plus nature and environment


  • Develop innovative marketing and media programs to attract the necessary financial commitment of major corporations in Germany and Europe


  • Offer core competencies of sailing and technology as well as business development including campaign development and marketing, sponsor and corporate relations and media and communications.


  • 'We now have the proven sailing track record and the independence to take this syndicate to the next level,' Illbruck said. 'The enormous welcome in Kiel and the overall media interest indicates that sailing is on a long-term upward trend with significant potential still unlocked. We want to win the America’s Cup together with new partners and sponsors.'

    For more details contact:

    Jane Eagleson
    Director Media and Corporate Affairs
    phone +49/2171/391-264
    fax +49/2171/391-581
    mobil +49/174/9 78 52 73
    JEagleson@illbruck-challenge.com

    Contact Info

    • John Carpenter House, 7 Carmelite Street, London EC4Y 0BS, United Kingdom
    • +44 207 936 6400
    • sport@globaldata.com

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