The 23rd edition of Match Race Germany cannot be held on its traditional and scheduled Pentecost date this year. We have to hoist the “postponement flag” because of the Corona pandemic. Its consequences leave us with no other choice. For now, there is only one joint challenge for all of us: To protect lives all over the world and, from our perspective to protect the health of our international sailors, the umpires and volunteers from the Yacht Club Langenargen, our partners, tens of thousands of guests/vistors and employees of the organizational team. This is a historically unique and difficult step for us. Like for many other well-known sporting events, however, it has become inevitable.
We have had intensive and very constructive discussions with our partners over the past weeks. We sincerely thank them for their inspiring loyalty and strong support in difficult times. Following their recommendations, we have jointly decided on a new event date:
23rd Match Race Germany will take place from September 9 – 13, 2020.
We explicitly thank Langenargen’s Mayor Achim Krafft. The Municipality and the entire community fully support the rescheduling of Match Race Germany 2020. Many thanks also to the hosting Yacht Club Langenargen e.V and its president Roel van Merkesteyn for their ongoing and passionate support!
Our thanks also go to CEO James Pleasance and his team on the World Mach Racing Tour, who are standing at our side in difficult times. “We fully support the difficult decision of the organisers of Match Race Germany to postpone their event in the interests of safety and the well-being of all competitors and the thousands of visitors to the event. As a long-term partner of the World Match Racing Tour, Match Race Germany is a hugely popular event and we look forward to visiting the shores of Lake Constance again in September,” said James Pleasance.
We are all in the same boat in this global crisis. It has always been implemented in the sport of sailing that it is a team sport in which people work hand in hand and that everyone is there for each other. Now is the time for us to take care of each other. The time when we can all enjoy sailing again and celebrate Match Race Germany together will soon come again. Until then, we will do everything we can to hold our course and defend the interests of our partners.
We are passionate about Match Race Germany! Nothing will ever change that.
Our intention is crystal clear: With the 23rd Match Race Germany in September, we want to organize an unforgettable sailing week for the participants, partners and guests alike. The course set for 2020 has become longer, but nothing has changed the position of the finishing line: If the winds blow more favorably in September and we anticipate the shifts in the meantime, we will successfully cross the finish line together.
Stay strong, stay healthy, stay confident!
On behalf of all team members of Match Center Germany,
yours
Eberhard MaggHarald Thierer Bernd Buck
