iShares Cup 2009 European Dates Confirmed

From news@isharescup.com:
In Brief:

• The dates for the 2009 iShares Cup Extreme 40 European Series are now confirmed.
• Five, possibly six, rounds will be staged across Europe stopping in Italy, France, UK, Germany and Amsterdam.
• The city of Kiel will, once again, host the German round of the iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series - the remaining venues will be revealed over the coming weeks.
• iShares Cup shortlisted for the Sponsorship Industry Awards 'Best Sponsorship of a Sport Event or Competition'

In Detail:

Crowds watch the Extreme 40's racing close to shore at Kiel, Germany
© Kiel Marketing GmbH

The 2009 calendar for the premium iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series is now confirmed. Five rounds, with a possible sixth and final event, will be staged across Europe that will see the leaders in the sport of sailing vying for the overall iShares Cup, bringing the sport of Extreme 40 racing to the public for a third year running. Held at premium European venues that will grant the public accessibility and a grandstand view of the iShares Cup racing - spectators are guaranteed a close-up view of the short-course, action-packed racing alongside the iShares Cup Race Village, engaging the public both on and off the water.
Round 1 : Italy - 15th to 17th May 2009
Round 2 : France - 3rd to 5th July 2009
Round 3 : United Kingdom - 1st to 3rd August 2009
Round 4 : Germany, Kiel - 28th to 30th August 2009
Round 5 : The Netherlands - 25th to 27th September 2009
Round 6 : tbc - 10th to 12th October 2009


80,000 spectators visit the race village for Round 4 at Kiel
© Jean-Marie Liot/DPPI/OC Events

Racing will be staged over three days Friday to Sunday with a Media Day held the day before each regatta. The venues will be announced over the coming weeks starting this week with the confirmation that the German city of Kiel will, once again, host a round of the iShares Cup.
After the huge success of the inaugural iShares Cup 2008 regatta in Kiel, which saw over 80,000 spectators cheering on the Extreme 40s which prompted Alinghi skipper, Ed Baird, to comment: "I think we've probably sailed in front of this many in a television situation but not in person, this is fantastic." - the city of Kiel will host Round 4 of the iShares Cup over the 28th to 30th August directly in front of the Kiellinie.
"KIEL.SAILING CITY is proud of the fact that it belongs to the select group of European venues, which are presenting the regattas of this year's Extreme 40 Sailing Series. These regattas offer a perfect mix of breathtaking entertainment and world-class sports," said Angelika Volquartz, Kiel's Lord Mayor. "It was most important for us to secure an option to continue this cooperation for the years to come, because this high-profile catamaran event so close to the city centre is a true asset to KIEL.SAILING CITY."

Tommy Hilfiger pitch-poles - but recovers - on Day 2 of the iShares Cup in Hyeres
© TornadoSport/Tommy Hilfiger



Dan Kiddle, Head of iShares Sponsorship, Europe, commented, "Germany is a key market for iShares and based on the success of the 2008 event in Kiel we are delighted to be returning there in 2009. The style of sailing you will witness and experience in the iShares Cup is revolutionary and we are delighted to be supporting such an exciting sport whereby its core characteristics reflect our brand values and business approach."
After winning the Business to Business Category of the European Sponsorship Awards last November, the iShares Cup has now been shortlisted in the 2009 Sponsorship Industry Awards 'Best Sponsorship of a Sport Event or Competition'. In the category for 'Best Sponsorship of a Sport Event or Competition', the iShares Cup is up against some powerful competition from Castrol, Guinness, Visa, Powerade and Speedo. The nominees now go before the main judging panel and the final award ceremony will be held on the 30th April.


iShares Extreme 40 racing at Kiel, Germany
© Kiel Marketing GmbH

For further information on the iShares Cup, visit: http://www.isharescup.com

If all goes according to plan I'll be umpiring 4 of the events. Italy, France, Netherlands and tbc (Spain?). Seeing these pictures I already want to go!