German Team Picks Builder; Challenge yet to be Filed

December 5, 2004

The German America's Cup campaign FRESH SEVENTEEN plans to have its new cup yacht built by "Knierim" in Kiel in 2005/2006. The renowned shipyard promises to deliver state-of-the-art technology thanks to the substantial support of stake-holder Klaus Murmann. This has been generally agreed between the Deutsche Challenge 2007 AG (DC 2007 AG) and the traditional yacht-builders whose premises are located on the south bank of Kiel Canal.

Meanwhile DC 2007 AG has not yet decided to give its "go" to the Deutscher Challenger Yacht Club (DCYC) for the official filing of their entry with the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG). "We need some more time for the sponsoring negotiations," said Alexander von Bergwelt, chairman of the DC 2007 AG advisory board. According to von Bergwelt, the talks so far have been very promising, and "we have no doubts that we will reach our target."

 FRESH SEVENTEEN had gone public in late summer and plans to get to the start with a budget of 45 million Euro. The 32nd AC will take place in the Spanish port city of Valencia in summer 2007 and thus for the first time in Europe since 1851. The 17th December is the official closing date for entries, but there is a prolongation rule until 28 April 2005.

Never before has a German boat taken part in world's longest-standing sporting competition so far. Not only German sailing circles have high hopes that this is about to change. The German public broadcasting companies ARD and ZDF are about to close their contracts for the TV rights to cover the regatta series. "The America's Cup will be one of the most important sport events in 2007," points out ARD sports co-ordinator Hagen Bosdorf. Even the preparations of the German team are of great interest.

"The planning process has taken up full speed," says Willy Kuhweide, Commodore of the DCYC, "we want to make an impact in the pre-races and, of course, at the Cup itself - not only out on the water, but also with the shore programme for our partners." The 1964 Olympic gold medallist acts as a consultant to the leader board in all matters of major concern from the overall public presentation of the campaign to the building of the team.

 More than 120 applicants have so far asked to become part of the FRESH SEVENTEEN team, for the most part sailors, but also sail-makers, boat-builders and deck hands. "There is so much enthusiasm", report Andreas John, sport director of the AG, and Eberhard Magg, technical director.

In the meantime, the project leaders have met with high-level potential skippers with Cup experience, who have all confirmed their interest in the German team, but do not want to be named until the final start of the project. Not so the Knierim ship-yard that has publicly announced its involvement in the new America's Cupper-to-be. "It is at the same time an honour as it gives us a lot of drive to build the German AC yacht. It is not only a very prestigious project, but it will set new technological standards in Germany", says Kiel-based business man and offshore sailor Klaus Murmann. Only in 2002, the Knierim Yachtbau GmbH had built Murmann's 26-metre yacht UCA, the biggest carbon-fibre high-tech yacht constructed in Germany so far.