Saturday, October 18, 2014

SAILING Champions League Preview

J/70 SAILING Champions LeagueWorld Childhood Foundation Joins As Partner
(Copenhagen, Denmark)– For the first time in international sailing history one club will be nominated as the best sailing club at the newly established "SAILING Champions League" (SCL) in Copenhagen taking place from 17th to 19th October 2014. The hosts from the national German sailing league (Segel-Bundesliga), the Danish sailing league (Sejlsportsligaen) and the Royal Danish Yacht Club are expecting 24 clubs from 15 nations. In addition to the European Sailing Federation as patron, the World Childhood Foundation (Childhood) has joined the event as the Charity Partner.

The competition starts this weekend in Denmark, following the same format of national sailing leagues in Germany and Denmark. The great interest in the SCL demonstrates that the organizers from Hamburg were correct in assuming that competition between clubs is a great social as well as international sailing event.

The participating clubs are sending a crew of four of their best sailors and hope to be the first winners of the sought-after "ROBBE & BERKING SAILING CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TROPHY“. Robbe & Berking has donated a five kg (11 lbs) silver bowl as a perpetual trophy. The clubs will sail in fleet races on the majestic waterfront of Copenhagen on eight J/70 one-design boats.

The clubs will be sailing right in front of the famous "Little Mermaid" at the entrance of the Danish capital. 45 races are planned in three days, each of the races lasting between twelve and fifteen minutes. Thanks to the broadcasting of technology partner SAP, you can follow the races live on sailing-championsleague.com. The expert commentators are Andy Rice from the UK and Marcus Bauer from Germany – two sailing experts and former competitors in the Olympic 49er.

This worldwide sailing premiere combines the sport of sailing with a charity event for “Childhood”, supported by SAP. “SAP SE has been a founding partner of the ‘World Childhood Foundation’ since the beginning and we are happy to be also connected via the sport of sailing now,” said Stefan Lacher, Head of Technology Sponsorships of SAP SE.

“Childhood” was founded in 1999 by H.M. Silvia the Queen of Sweden. “Childhood has a close partnership with the sport of sailing for many years. The SCL is a great new possibility to sail for children in need. Together, we will ensure that more children have a happy childhood and therefore we want to further develop this partnership,” says Susanne Labonde, Executive Director of Childhood Germany.  So far, the 24 clubs have raised over 250,000 Euros!   For more SAILING Champions League information