America's Cup 2003 News from illbruck Team

by Jane Eagleson on 25 Jan 2001 Morten Henriksen of Denmark, one of the world's top match racing sailors, has signed on as match racing coach for the illbruck Challenge in preparation for America's Cup 2003, illbruck Challenge skipper John Kostecki announced today.

Henriksen will recruit German talent in building a competitive illbruck match racing team for the World Match Racing Circuit. This will allow new recruits with limited match racing experience to train in the one-on-one format of racing used in the America's Cup while also providing the seasoned team members the chance to sharpen their skills. The match racing team will be joined by Kostecki and other illbruck Challenge race crew as the schedule permits.

The illbruck match racing team will compete on the international circuit while the illbruck Volvo Ocean Race crew is competing in the around-the-world race. Henriksen will continue in a coaching role with the illbruck race crew following the completion of the Volvo Ocean Race in June 2002 when the entire sailing team will then focus together on training for the America's Cup.

'Morton is a great addition to the team,' Kostecki said. 'Not only is he one of the best match racers in the world, but also a talented and respected coach. While our around-the-world race crew focuses on delivering the best performance in the Volvo Ocean Race, Morten will be building a strong match racing team. By the time the Volvo Ocean Race is over, we will merge all of our sailing talent for the final stage of America's Cup preparation.'

Henriksen of Odense, Denmark, in 1999 ranked No. 5 in the world ranking of match racers, recently has dedicated his time to coaching many of the world's best sailors in their preparation for major regattas. Henriksen coached the Norwegian Soling team to a bronze medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Henriksen is consistently a top performer on the World Match Racing Circuit.

'After many years of coaching and competing against many of the world's top sailors, the chance to build a competitive America's Cup team is a great challenge and opportunity,' Henriksen said.

The illbruck Challenge is a competitive international sailing program that over the past 30 years has earned success at many of the world's top regattas. The illbruck Challenge is now pursuing the world's two pinnacle sailing events: the Volvo Ocean Race, the world's premier ocean race, and the America's Cup, the world's top match racing event. The illbruck Challenge is representing the Dusseldorfer Yacht Club in Germany's first-ever Challenge for the America's Cup, the competition for the oldest international trophy in sport.

illbruck GmbH is a privately held international company with autonomous business units including Automotive, Sealant Systems, Bath Installation Systems, Architectural Surfaces, and Filtration Systems/Insulation Systems. Founded in 1952, illbruck has 35 locations in15 countries worldwide and is headquartered in Leverkusen, Germany. The illbruck Challenge embodies the philosophy of the illbruck company: success through motivation, flexibility and team spirit. The illbruck Challenge is the image medium and primary vehicle for illbruck's global and internal corporate identification.

For more information, contact Jane Eagleson, illbruck Challenge, Director Marketing Communications, Mobile +49-174-978-5273 or visit the illbruck Challenge website at www.illbruckChallenge.com.