Defending champion and World No.2 Eric Monnin to compete in Match Race Germany 2019

by Match Race Germany 25 May 2019 10:35 BST 5-10 June 2019

2018 Match Race Germany - Day 3 © NIco Martinez / MRG

The countdown to the 22nd Match Race Germany has started! The organizers of Match Center Germany celebrate Germany's most famous Grand Prix over Pentecost as a large sailing festival and spectator attraction in Langenargen with with a lot of anticipation for spectacular sailing sports on Lake Constance. As in previous years, they expect around 30,000 spectators in the regatta heart chamber of the Gondola Harbour over five days.

The star parade of this year's participants will be led by the world's number two (number one till May 15), Eric Monnin and his Capvis Swiss Sailing Team. Veterans and shooting stars will challenge the Swiss in the fight for a podium finish and prize money directly in the beautiful natural arena of Langenargen/Lake Constance on the Swabian Sea. The program of the classic is peppered with delicacies on water as well as on land.

Pentecost is already very close. And thus also the traditional summit of Match Race Germany. The 22nd edition of the German classic takes place from 6 to 10 June. The fleet of the ten participating teams from eight countries is led by Eric Monnin and his Capvis Swiss Sailing Team. "Defending a title - and this for the second time in a row - is a nice but also a very difficult task", knows Switzerland's top match racer.

Under the German flag, skipper Max Gurgel and his team Vmax Yachting go hunting again. The well-rehearsed crew of the Hamburg Sailing Club would like to turn their fifth place from the previous year into a top three result. "Our goal is to sail on Whit Monday," says Max Gurgel with typical Hanseatic understatement. In other words, the goal is the entry into the final stages. The Austrian visitors and the regularly accompanying fan club will once again cheer the team around Max Trippolt. In 2017, they have already climbed up to fourth place. The Austrians also want to fight for a place on the "Stockerl" this year.

The home port of the spectator magnet under sail, which is regularly visited by up to 30,000 fans, is the Langenargen Gondola Harbour. As the organizer, the team of Match Center Germany and it's matchrace makers Eberhard Magg and Harald Thierer operate in cooperation with the Langenargener Yacht Club. Lake Constance, also known as the Swabian Sea, Montfort Castle and in the background on the other side of the lake the Alps, form the picture book scenery for the exciting duels on the water which are commentated live on shore. All event highlights take place in the Gondola Harbor or its direct surroundings. At the center there is the Erdinger Urweisse Hütt'n - traditionally the heartbeat chamber for furious festivals, musical experiences, Swabian delights and sporting encounters with the matchrace protagonists. Great for the visitors: Admission is free for all events!

The hut will be rocked on May 7 (Friday night) with the 8th edition of the "Matchrace goes Lederhosen and Dirndl" party and the Eschbach Buam, on Saturday with the big hut party where Soul Pack will perform on Match Race Germany's stage for the first time and on Sunday evening with Jürgen Waidele's Take a Dance & Friends, which will also entertain the crowds on Whit Monday morning for a traditional "Frühschoppen" (morning pint). For the second time, the New Mobility Convention will be guests of Match Race Germany on June 7. At this thematic summit, international experts will discuss current issues in areas such as autonomous driving or mobile digitization in the mobile sector.

Also on board are long-standing and new partners, including ZF AG, finepower, MHP-A Porsche Company, Vodafone and the first time the BrakeForceOne GmbH. Their CEO Frank Stollemaier said before the sailing premiere of his company: "With Match Race Germany, we have deliberately decided for a commitment to Germany's highest classified sailing event, which scores with high levels of yachting performance and high attractions. In the end, sailing, just like BrakeForceOne GmbH, depends on excellent teamwork, the right strategy and tactics that emphasize the existing know-how." Stollemaier also explains how his company wants to use the operation:" It applies to our customers and partners, which are already spoiled by many other events, to offer an exciting and entertaining platform within the audience-friendly match-race event - far from the classic noise level. But we also see great potential within the company to use the cooperation with Match Race Germany's team way beyond the event for our employees."

Official starting list of 22. Match Race Germany 2019