Audi takes celebrities and athletes on board

The four rings will be dominating the scene again in Kiel and at the Kieler Förde this year. 25 Audi Q7 cars will be deployed to pull the boats out of and back into the water when there is a change between two classes. 1,500 such movements occur each year during the regatta days – a major logistical feat.  

Making a fascinating sport a tangible experience is the motto that has been adopted for the program offered to sailing fans. ‘Kieler Woche.TV powered by Audi’ in 2013 will again air coverage using modern camera technology, GPS live tracking and its own studio for viewers to watch on numerous on-site screens and on the internet. The Audi stage featuring a large projection screen, interview sessions, podium ceremonies and prize-winning contests will be the hub of events in the Audi Sailing Arena in the area in front of the marina of the Olympic Center. The second location will be the Audi test driving center at the Kieler Yacht-Club. Here, the guests of the automobile company will have the opportunity to test new Audi models. More than 1,500 drivers made use of this offer last year. For children, introductory sailing courses with Optimist jolly-boats are on the agenda.

The excitement among the athletes and VIPs of the Audi family is rising as well. For Wednesday, (June 26), the two-time DTM Champion Timo Scheider and his race engineer have announced their attendance. They are eager to experience the topic of strategy on water instead of in the cockpit of an Audi RS 5 DTM. When TV host Kai Pflaume as well as actors Simon Licht and Rhea Harder, ski jumper Richard Freitag, Judo Olympic gold medalist Ole Bischof and Rowing Olympic gold medalists Karl Schulze and Lauritz Schoof board the B/one boats sporting Audi graphics things will really get crowded. Hockey Olympic winner Carlos Nevado and the two ice hockey pros Alexander Oblinger and Björn Barta from ERC Ingolstadt will be joining the group as well.

Together with sailors of the German national sailing team, the prominent guests will be battling for victory in the Audi Sailing Cup. For the members of Audi Sailing Team Germany, the Kieler Woche is another home round. The team celebrated its debut at the ‘Förde’ in 2010 and is again competing in Olympic and international classes this year.

Online, Audi is right on course as well. On the www.audi-sailing.de website, those interested in sailing will find all the information available on the Kieler Woche and Audi’s entire sailing commitment. For those on the road, the “Audi Sailing” app (for iPhone and iPod touch) will again be the ideal companion for a leisurely tour of the Kieler Woche. News, photos, videos, background information and schedules – all offered free of charge in a pocket-size package.

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