The St. Moritz Match Race is looking for new sponsorship: Match Race AG, which hosted the top-class sailing event from 2003 to 2012, is withdrawing from the event. Despite intensive efforts, it was no longer possible to obtain financing from sponsors after 2012. However, the St. Moritz Match Race is still to be continued: St. Moritz Sport and Events is already in talks about a potential new sponsorship.
“The great local support drove us to find new financing and new sponsorship for the St. Moritz Match Race. But we were unsuccessful,” explains Beryl Pieper, member of the Board of Directors of Match Race AG. Since 2012, she had been intensively searching for new solutions with a small team. “Now it is time for a fresh start, we are making room for new forces.”
For over ten years, the St. Moritz Match Race offered sailing at its best: In August, Olympic participants, America's Cup skippers and the best Swiss teams fought for the coveted title of “King of the Mountain”.
The idea for the St. Moritz Match Race was born during the America's Cup victories by the Swiss team Alinghi in a small group of sailing enthusiasts led by Ronald Pieper. Foreign sponsors were interested in sailing and thanks to the active support of Badrutt's Palace Hotel, the Kurverein, the municipality, the St. Moritz Sailing Club and later also the destination Engadin St. Moritz, a top-class annual event was created.
Following the sudden death of Ronald Pieper in 2007 and with the waning enthusiasm for sailing in Switzerland, it gradually became more difficult to finance the event. In 2012, a loss was written for the first time, and no events took place in 2013 and 2014.
“Our retreat should make room for new minds and new ideas, because the St. Moritz Match Race should live on,” notes Beryl Pieper. “St. Moritz was always a very special season highlight for top sailors from all over the world. The countless volunteers and our partners and sponsors from the valley have made this possible. We would like to thank them all very much!”
Martin Berthod, Director of St. Moritz Sports and Events and long-time supporter of the St. Moritz Match Race, also confirms that the St. Moritz Match Race should continue: “We are in talks with a potential new sponsorship and also have contacts with potential sponsors. We very much regret that Mrs. Pieper and her team are now withdrawing, but we also understand it. The Pieper family and the OC of the St. Moritz Match Race have done great things for St. Moritz and Swiss sailing.”
infos
Match Race AG, Christian Gartmann, media spokesperson
+41 79 355 78 78
St. Moritz Sports and Events, Martin Berthod, Director
+41 79 611 44 17