The Kieler WocheAudi continues to sail close to the wind

Audi is planning to continue sailing close to the wind. After making a successful debut as the Kiel Regatta’s premium partner in June, Audi has now announced that this partnership is to be extended by a further three years and also revealed that it is to increase its support for young talents on the German sailing scene.

Sailing Team Germany’s vision is as ambitious as it is simple: to make Germany the most successful sailing nation worldwide. Audi has been helping to promote the national team since the start of the 2010 season. In June, Audi made its debut as the premium partner of the biggest summer sailing festival in Northern Europe. Three million visitors, 4,500 sailors from 54 countries and victory for the Audi A1 team in the International German Championship with a vessel manned by customers and professionals made this a perfect debut.

All the non-sailing fraternity, too, were able to experience “Vorsprung durch Technik” at first hand: over 1,000 visitors took up the opportunity to test-drive one of Audi’s models. A further 1,000 drivers participated in the Audi driving experience. Among those first trying out an Audi vehicle and then venturing to the tiller of a yacht were actress Veronica Ferres and TV chat show host Johannes B. Kerner, who both attended the Kiel Regatta at Audi’s invitation.

Bastian Kaltofen, Head of Exhibitions/Events and Sports Marketing at AUDI AG, has now announced that the partnership with the Kiel Regatta is to be extended by a further three years. “It is a major but exciting challenge to explore uncharted waters hand in hand with the national team,” commented Kaltofen, who is delighted that Audi is to maintain its involvement in optimising the team’s training and competition performances.

Audi supports the stars and young talents of Sailing Team Germany and has now provided them with mobility for the winter season: at Kiel Yacht Club, the founder and Managing Director of Sailing Team Germany Oliver Schwall and German Sailing Federation President Rolf Bähr were symbolically handed the keys to a total of 30 vehicles from the Audi model range.

For Kiel Regatta 2011, the picturesque city of Kiel will be again transformed into the stage for the largest summer festival in Northern Europe. Exciting title fights, highly motivated athletes, cheering fans and promising events around the race await the visitors. The fascination of sailing can be experienced in the diverse program of the AUDI AG, which includes a regatta tracking, test drives and a variety of activities in the Audi Hospitality.

Kaltofen: “We are already looking forward to the start of the first regatta of 2011 and will of course be rooting for the Audi Sailing Team Germany.”