Audi to sponsor 49er for Sydney 2000 Games

Audi in Australia has signed a sponsorship agreement with the "Audi 49er" wind racing team with its crew of two Finnish sailors, Thomas Johanson and Jyrki Jarvi. The team's goal is to compete for the first time at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in the newly-created Olympic 49er high-performance dinghy class. According to Ms Gudrun Adam, marketing manager for Audi in Australia, the company purchased the 49er skiff, named the "Audi quattro", in order to diversify the profile of Audi's target market.

Audi in Australia has signed a sponsorship agreement with the "Audi 49er" wind racing team with its team of two Finnish sailors Jyrki Jarvi (left) and Thomas Johanson.

"To buy an Audi is to become part of our image and our .lifestyle. What we aim to encourage in our customers is a sense of thrill, of youth and to an extent, risk-taking," Ms Adam said.

"The Audi 49er wind racing team is the ideal partner for Audi in Australia to increase our profile among people who enjoy the outdoor lifestyle, speed and excitment - people who are not afraid to be different, to take a few risks at times and go out on a limb with a new concept. The Audi wind racing team with its Finnish crew is as innovative and motivated as the Audi team in Australia," she said.

The "Audi quattro" wind racing team is comprised of helmsman, Thomas Johanson, a former Laser World Champion and European Championship winner. At the Atlanta Olympic Games, Thomas was fifth in his Laser class. Crew member, Jyrki Jarvi, was fifth in the 470 class World Championships in 1990, and was the winner of the coveted Princess Sophia race in 1991.

The team formed in May this year to sail in the new 49er class with both team members boasting over 20 years experience racing sailing vessels.

The Audi wind racing team will campaign in the following events;

• Australian Nationals from December 9 to 14, 1997,
• Sydney International from December 19 to 21, 1997,
• World Championship, Perth, from December 26, 1997 to January 4, 1998,
• Hyeres, France, in April 1998,
• Spa, Netherlands, in May 1998,
• Finnish Grand Prix Series from May to September 1998,
• European Championship, Finland, in August 1998, and
• Pre-pre Olympics in Sydney in September 1998.

The sleek, silver "Audi quattro" dinghy, emblazoned with the four red Audi rings, is currently under construction by Australian designer, Julian Bethwaite, who was responsible for the creation of the 49er, a high performance, high speed sailcraft which is considered heir to the wellknown 18 foot skiffs. The "Audi quattro" will be completed in time for the World Championships in Perth.

Wide wings, a huge sail area and dart-like hull are the principal features of the 49er. Skilled pilots can reach speed of around 20 knots in light wind conditions, and in heavier winds can reach top speeds of over 30 knots.

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