Germany Kieler Woche: full speed ahead for Audi

Ingolstadt, Germany –
After the successful debut in June 2010 Audi has extended the premium partnership with the Kieler Woche. The countdown to the sailing regatta is underway. In Kiel’s Schilksee district, at the Kiel Yacht-Club and at stage shows the automobile manufacturer based in Ingolstadt will expand its commitment through numerous additional activities.

On its debut at the Kieler Woche Audi delivered a real dream start last summer. More than three million guests visited the sailing regattas in Germany’s far north – more than 1,000 of them used the opportunity to test drive Audi models ranging from the A1 through to the Q7. The icing on the cake of the brand’s successful debut: The Audi A1 Team, a boat of the TP52 class with a crew of pros and customers, took first place in the German Ocean Sailing Championship.

“Sailing with its dynamics and technology plus the sporting competition at the highest level is a perfect fit for Audi,” says Dr. Hans-Peter Kleebinder, Head of Marketing Germany of AUDI AG. “We’ve got fond memories of the enthusiasm of the spectators and sailors last year. In 2011 our commitment will feature an even larger and more attractive program. We’re already looking forward to nine days of spectacular sailing under the symbol of the Four Rings.”

The manner in which Audi showcased itself in its debut year will be retained in 2011. The Four Rings will visually shape the Kieler Woche on posters, in the center of the city, along the “Kiellinie” harbor promenade, on the official clothing, in the program booklet or on the turning marks of the regatta lanes. In addition, Audi in its role as mobility partner will again supply all the vehicles to the shuttle fleet. The organization of the official trailer service involves a major logistical feat. During the changes between the various boat classes the organizers last year counted more than 1,500 trailer movements within 40 hours that were performed by Audi Q7 and Audi A6 allroad models.

During the Kieler Woche the Audi Hospitality at the Sailing Center in Kiel’s Schilksee district will be one of the primary “go-to” places for visitors. In addition to providing the venue for the daily briefings and podium ceremonies, the “Fan-Treff” meeting area for fans will feature interview sessions with stars from the world of sailing and other guests. Audi will also set up a station for sailing fans at the Kiel Yacht-Club. There, the competitions will be shown on flat-screen monitors. In addition, there will be a merchandising and entertainment area. Test drives with current Audi models are planned as well. During the day, the program around the NDR stage will be oriented to families and in the evening to a young audience

For its invited guests, Audi has put together an equally varied and exceptional offering this year. The project billed as “A dream comes true” will be continued. Customers from the Audi regions will again join professional sailors on board of a TP52 boat of the kind used in the Audi MedCup. The aim is clear: to win the German Ocean Sailing Championship as the Audi A1 Team did last year. Headed by skipper Tim Kröger, the TP52 will also contest other regattas with guests on board. World champion and federal German coach Roland Gäbler will do the same with his guests on a catamaran of the Tornado class. In addition, there are plans for following the regattas on ships and inflatable boats.