The news that United Internet Team Germany will not compete for the 34th America’s Cup is even less surprising that the annoucement that Azzurra wasn’t likely to push ahead. While the UITG made some noise in the wake of the 32nd America’s Cup, hiring former Alinghi afterguard member and 4-time Olympic medalist Jochen Schumann to lead it’s revamped effort (it put on a dismal performance in Valencia in 2007). But once the 33rd America’s Cup became a two-team party, the team all but dissolved: helmsman Karol Jablonski went to the Synergy team while Schumann joined the Franco-German All4One effort, which evolved from the French Areva Challenge team.
Here’s a statement from the team:
Based on the new format for the 34th America´s Cup, which was recently announced by BMW Oracle, the United Internet Team Germany refrains from participating in the competition for the world’s oldest sports trophy. Since 2007, the German team has been waiting to sail for the America´s Cup again.
“With regards to the new rules that have been established by BMW Oracle, the United Internet Team Germany will not be able to register for the 34th America’s Cup” said head of syndicate of United Internet Team Germany, Michael Scheeren.
