After intensive discussions with around ten cities, event organiser 4Sail Projects and title partner Volvo Car Germany have announced the three Tour Stops for 2004.
The first starting gun will be fired in spring on Lake Starnberg in Bavaria. The world´s top Tornado and 49er crews will line up on the 57 square kilometre lake to fight for a serious purse and points for the overall Tour Ranking.
From 7-9 May spectators can expect three action-packed days right in front of the lake´s shores. The German Super Series will be continued in Rostock, challenger to host the Olympic Sailing Regatta in 2012. From 2-9 July the fleet will gather on the City Harbour right in the heart of Rostock. The final showdown is planned for Travemuende from 24-26 September. Just like last year the three day beach event is expected to attract at least 50,000 people to celebrate with the Olympic heroes who then will have just returned from the Athen´s Olympic Games.
Explains Race Director Dirk NEUMANN,
"with the Volvo Champions Race we have already proven a year prior to the Olympic Games how attractive Olympic sailing can be for the public. In 2003 we have been radical, innovative and successful. We will follow this path in 2004 with Volvo as a strong and convinced partner at our side. As it is an Olympic year and we have discussed our plans in detail with the top crews of the two classes we expect an even more attractive fleet of competitors in the 49er and Tornado class. We had a lot of positive international feedback and take it from there."
Neumann admits,
"it hasn´t been easy to find the right dates to not collide with too many international regattas which are important to every ambitious Olympic sailor, but we are convinced that with the new programme we have found the best solution."
Darren BUNDOCK and Roland GÄBLER, Sydney´s Olympic Silver and Bronze medallists in the Tornado class, have confirmed their entry already.
In the coming months we will update you with news from the Volvo Champions Race, the event´s programme and of course competitor lists as soon as available. The official Notice of Race and Invitation will be sent out in February. Interested crews can contact the event organiser directly at the address below.
d.neumann@4sailcom.net