The Official
Website of the
International
Sailing Federation

POCHHAMMER, of Verein Seglerhaus am Wannsee, emphasized the importance of the BMW Group as the event's main sponsor acting in close cooperation with the local dealer Riller And Schnauck. He commented, 'It was due to BMW's America's Cup affiliation that today we can welcome BMW ORACLE Racing's helmsman Eric DOYLE [(USA)] as a competitor.' Furthermore he made it clear how happy he is to welcome the cable network Kabel Deutschland as a new event sponsor.

When announcing four more America's Cup teams, including the first German America's Cup team ever, United Internet Team Germany as competitor, WITTE, of Berliner Yacht Club, called this event a small edition of the America's Cup.

Jochen SCHUEMANN (GER), sport director of America's Cup Defender team Alinghi (SUI) and five time winner of Berlin Match Race has big expectations for the days to come, 'The Berlin Match Race is an extraordinary event and it is somehow special for me, since it is always a good feeling being back in Berlin.'

Mr. SCHNAUCK, representative for 'BMW - Riller und Schnauck' spoke about the sailing format since he felt that match racing is a format attractive to both sponsors and spectators, 'I believe that match racing will become even more important in the future, since it is an attractive format for the media and due to its onshore character it's good to follow for spectators.'

Further guests at the press conference included Cornelius BOUCKE of BMW Germany, DOYLE and United Internet Team Germany's Michael HESTBAEK.

Berlin Match Race Entrants
( - ISAF World Match Race Ranking)

• Mathieu RICHARD (FRA) - 7
• Sebatian COL (FRA) - 8
• Staffan LINDBERG (FIN) - 10
• Bjorn HANSEN (SWE) - 14
• Simon MINOPRIO (NZL) - 22
• Stefan MEISTER (GER) - 29
• Jochen SCHUEMANN (GER) - 46
• Francesco BRUNI (ITA) - 59
• Dorte JENSEN (DEN) - 118
• Markus WIESER (GER) - 191
• Michael HESTBAEK (DEN) - Not Ranked
• Eric DOYLE (USA) - Not Ranked