Match Race Germany - Elite match racers set for Langenargen

Match Racing Super League - Match Race Germany 2017 © Match Race Germany

The countdown clock is ticking louder, preparations for the Match Race Germany 2018 are almost complete: in just over a week, twelve top teams from nine countries will head for Langenargen by Lake Constance.

The Free Practice of the teams is scheduled for Wednesday, May 16. Starting on May 17, the five-strong crews will enter the five-day Grade One series to fight for prize money and important world ranking points as well as relevant points for the new Match Race Super League, whose only German tour stop is Match Race Germany. The Match Race Germany's best players will be honored on Whit Monday following the big public winner's press conference in the heart of the Langenargen's Gondola Port.

The final is the goal

As the top-seeded player, Frenchman Maxime Mesnil is hunting Match Race Germany's Tropy a third time in the row. Ranked fourth in the World Match Race Rankings, the helmsman of Match in Black by Normandy Elite Teams wants to get back on top with his squad following the runner-up title in 2016 and sixth place last year: "It would be great if we could reach the final." Mesnil is looking forward to his comeback and the reunion with the hosts from Match Center Germany, the Yacht Club Langenargen and tens of thousands of fans: "We always feel very welcome at Match Race Germany."

Eric Monnin and his Albert Riele Swiss Team have the same goal in in sight as the French and nothing less than the title defense in mind: "In addition to many other good reasons, the not so easy goal of the title defense is adding to our motivation." The 42-year-old helmsman from Stäfa is currently ranked ninth in the World Match Race Ranking and sixth in the Ranking of the Match Race Super League. Like Monnin, several starters can significantly improve their position in the Match Race Super League (MRSL) by performing well in Germany.

The MRSL ranking is expected to have a new leader after the Lake Constance summit. "We are very satisfied with the development of the Match Race Super League which we co-established for match racing on monohulls," sporting director Eberhard Magg summed up the first interim results for the new global circuit after the first three regattas oft he season and just before the first starting gun will be fired for Match Race Germany.

Ranked fourth in the Match Race Super League, Austrian Max Trippolt will feel very much at home on Match race Germany's waters. His Team Segelmanufactur Trippolt is based in the beautiful Lake Constance area and seeks to make the most out of that advantag when going into their duels in front of picturesque Montfort Castle. The goal for Trippolt's team, ranked eleventh in the MRSL, is clearly outlined: "We want to rise upt to the top ten in the World Rankings and continue to advance in the Match Race Super League. We aim for a podium place at Match Race Germany. "

"Incredibly fun!"

Max Gurgel's team Vmax Yachting also wants to fight for this podium finish. The all German crew starts for the Hamburg Sailing Club (HSC), based at Hamburg's inner lake Alster and returns to Langenargen with a seabag of good memories: "We had so much fun during our premiere last year as match racing on big boats is something special. And in combination with the rather light winds, that also is the big challenge of Match Race Germany. With a German and a Polish passport in his pocket, 12-time ice-sailing World Champion and former America's Cup semifinalist Karol Jablonski and his Jablonski Racing Team are heading to Langenargen. Jablonski is very well known as a naturally talented duel specialist deeply enjoying the art of matchracing and a serious force to reckon with once the qualifying round has started in which all teams race every other team once before the best advance to the final rounds.

The starting field will also feature the Jablkowski Sailing Team of helmsman Szymon Jablkowski, Lukasz Wosinski's Team NFF Racing and Team Bakista with skipper Patryk Zbroja from Poland plus Dejan Presen's Lumba Match Race Team (Slovenia), young Jelmer van Beek's Team Dutch Wave (Netherlands), Vladimir Lipavsky's Russian Team East Legal Sailing and Team Afonso Leite from Portugal. On-site commented races can be followed via live stream on the Internet

25 fan attractions in Gondola Harbour

Not only the international teams are ready for the German Grand Prix. On shore, visitors can also enjoy Langenargen's festively decorated Gondola Harbor including 25 fan attractions, exhibitions, infotainment and a varied evening program with free admission to the Whitsun parties under sails. "We are completely booked out and look forward to a full house," says Event Director Harald Thierer from Match Center Germany.

Highlights include the Virtual Reality Experience with DTM, Matchrace partner Skoda's test driving center with the latest models, basketball for kids with the MHP giants and the show room of clothing partner Marinepool including the newly created Matchrace Germany collection. Additionally there will be a Europapark lottery offering prizes like free entrance tickets and a whole Europapark weekend. Tempting test rides on beautiful Lake Constance are offered with Technohull's lmodern ribs. Flyer's famous E-bikes will be available for test laps. Saturday before Pentecost is devoted to children with rare diseases. On this charity day, the Herreshoff yacht "Tioga", largest sailing vessel in the Lake Constance area, will moor in the Matchrace Harbor and can be visited on this "open ship" day. Afterwards the classic beauty will take young sailors and their families on the water, who are supported by the Association for Children with Rare Diseases.

Business at Lake Constance

Companies have long time discovered Match Race Germany as an ideal and inspiring sports and event stage for their customer and employee events. Once again this year, the "Breeze-In" on the shores of Lake Constance will be the meeting place for business captains and their crews. On May 17, the New Mobility Convention will be held on the occasion of Match Race Germany. International experts will talk about current topics such as autonomous driving and mobile digitization in the mobile sector.

Party STADL and music festival

Do you know what a "Stadl" is? If not, just come, visit us and see how we celebrate together! Match Race Germany's reputation as a passionate heartbeat chamber of exuberant parties and musical enjoyment reaches far beyond the Lake Constance region. Among the highlights this year are the 7th edition of the "Match Race goes Dirndl and Lederhose" celebration on Friday and the "21 Years Match Race Germany Party" on Saturday before Pentecost. Jürgen Weidele & Friends will transform the Party Stadl into a hot Soul dance lodge on Sunday evening and into a breakfast bar with a jazzy touch on Whit Monday morning. The entire sailing and festive program can be found on the website.

www.matchrace.de