KIEL, Germany – Less than 24 hours after his team won the Volvo around-the-world race, Michael Illbruck announced plans to launch a new sailing campaign with the goal of winning the Americas' Cup in 2006.
Two months ago, Illbruck abandoned a challenge for this year's Louis Vuitton challenger series in Auckland,
after an unsuccessful search for a co-sponsor.
The campaign, under the auspices of the Duesseldorf Yacht Club had partially completed construction of a new boat GER68 in Bremen.
At a joint press conference with the Deutscher Segler Verband (German sailing federation) this week, Illbruck, joined by DSV president Dierk Thomsen, outlined a new business model that he said would 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 was joined at a news conference 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 for the new programme.
"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.
He outlined a six-point programme:
* Create a new independent entity called "Pinta Challenge" separate from illbruck GmbH. "Pinta" is the traditional name of the 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 programmes 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.
"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."
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
KIEL, Germany – Less than 24 hours after his team won the Volvo around-the-world race, Michael Illbruck announced plans to launch a new sailing campaign with the goal of winning the Americas' Cup in 2006.
Two months ago, Illbruck abandoned a challenge for this year's Louis Vuitton challenger series in Auckland,
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