German car manufacturer Audi has reportedly withdrawn its sponsorship of Team Germany sailing team in the America’s Cup. However, team coordinator Jochen Schuemann said that they will continue with their bid despite this setback.
Audi has been the main sponsor of the German sailing team but Schuemann, a three-tim
e Olympic gold medalist, said that they are now looking for a new sponsor.
Audi officials reasoned that the global economic crisis forced them to withdraw the sponsorship to the sailing team. The German sailing team is bidding to win the upcoming America’s Cup, one of the most prestigious sailing competitions in the world.
Schuemann revealed that he knew about the announcement a week before. He added that he wanted to meet with the car maker officials that time but he was called beforehand saying that there’s no need to come.
Team Germany has already withdrawn its participation at the Pacific Series event in New Zealand this coming February.
Schuemann won his first Olympic gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and won his other two gold medals at the 1988 Seoul and 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He was the sporting director for Swiss sailing team Alinghi wherein the team won the 2003 and 2007 America’s Cup.
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