23rd Match Race Germany is in sight

Match Race Germany, Lake Constance © Brian Carlin / AWMR

Even in challenging times, the sailing ideas manufacture at Match Center Germany on the shores of Lake Constance does not stand still.

"Our tailwind is driven by optimism and get-up-and-go attitude", says Match Race Germany founder Eberhard Magg. Together with Event Director Harald Thierer and the entire crew, the masterminds have set the date for the 23rd edition of the event following intensive consultations with their stakeholders, the municipality of Langenargen, the Yacht Club Langenargen, the World Match Racing Tour and international top sailors. The date for the next Match Race Germany on Lake Constance has been set: 8th to 12th September in 2021.

"We have the declared goal to reach the 25th anniversary edition in good shape", states Event Director Harald Thierer, "the 23rd edition in 2021 since the premiere in 1997 will mark yet another important step on our course."

The first ever Match Race Germany took place in 1997. Only once, Germany's leading duel classic had to be cancelled due to an extreme high level of water. And whilst the year draws to a close, the global pandemic made it impossible to release the crowd magnet in 2020. The Match Race Germany organizers are now confidently looking forward to the comeback in early autumn 2021.

"The municipality of Langenargen and our partners are firmly standing at our side", says Eberhard Magg. It is of high importance to the organisers to give this sign of hope for the return of the popular sailing event just before Christmas.

"Like our many fans and supporters, we are very much looking forward to the time when we can do what we love again", says Harald Thierer, "the ending year has been very challenging for everyone. The challenges will continue to accompany us into the new years. Nevertheless, we are more than optimistic that we will be able to stage our Grand Prix in the second half of the year in the usual quality serving exciting sport on the water and many attractions for the visitors in our lively race village. We know that the desire is strong among everyone."

The sailing world is not standing still these days, serving a grippling classic with the ongoing and highly exciting Vendée Globe, which takes solo sailors non-stop around the world and where Boris Herrmann is providing strong German accents. And there is, of course the America's Cup opening the year 2021. A foretaste of it is provided by the currently running Prada America's Cup World Series Auckland and Prada Christmas Race. Taking part in this opening round of the 36th America's Cup season in Auckland, New Zealand are four-time Olympic Champion Sir Ben Ainslie and his Ineos Team UK. Ainslie made his mark on Match Race Germany in 2009 when he won the German Grand Prix convincingly.

His compatriot, the reigning match race Vice-World Champion Ian Williams, was able to add his name to the list of Match Race Germany's winners twice in 2013 and 2014. Skipper Taylor Canfield and Team Stars+Stripes won the 70th Bermuda Gold Cup in 2020 and, at the same time the 2020 Open Match Racing World Championship with a penalty-marred victory over Ian William's Team GAC Pindar in October 2020. Canfield's best result on Lake Constance was a fifth in 2013.

A look at the historical list of the winners of Germany's oldest and most successful match race event reveals that the 22 winning helmsmen so far have come from ten different countries: Sailing stars from Denmark, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, New Zealand, Croatia, Poland and Switzerland and their international teams were able to prevail on the popular water stage embedded in the famous border triangle. Now, who will succeed in the second week of December 20201? The answer will be given at the end of the 23rd edition of Match race Germany!

For more information visit matchrace.de and/or wmrt.com.