A brand new sailing competition, to be known as the “Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta” was launched on Friday by Ian Box, Commodore Middle Harbour Yacht Club and Joerg Hofmann, Managing Director of Audi Australia.

The inaugural Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta, to be held on 4th and 5th March 2006 during Sydney Harbour Week, will be a spectacular event with over 200 yachts racing in 10 classes on 4 course areas on Australia’s most famous Harbour.

The major prize for the event will be an Audi vehicle.

Acknowledged by the State Government, the Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta will be a commercially sustainable landmark Sydney Yachting spectacular on Sydney Harbour each year. The Hon Sandra Nori, MLA, NSW Minister for Sport, Tourism and Recreation commented, "There is no better sight than Sydney Harbour filled with sails, and I look forward to seeing this event grow into a major feature on the international sailing calendar, attracting not only more yachts to the harbour but spectators as well."

Ian Box welcomed Mr Hofmann and Audi to the Sport of Sailing at a media gathering in Sydney, hosted by the luxury German car maker. “We are delighted to have secured Audi Australia as partner for the Sydney Harbour Regatta. Its association with this spectacular sailing event is a boost for the Sport and fits well with our keen spirit of competitiveness, innovation and sportsmanship”, said Commodore Box.

Audi Australia’s Managing Director, Joerg Hofmann, acknowledged the brand’s passion for competitive sailing around the world. “The opportunity for Audi to become involved with a new sailing project in Australia is of clear interest to us. Around the world the Audi brand has had a long-standing involvement with the sport of sailing, particularly in Europe, as the fundamental principles of sailing are a direct match with Audi’s core value, Vorsprung durch Technik”, Mr Hofmann said.

“Roughly translated, this statement refers to our philosophy of pursuing progress through the use of advanced technology. Clearly these principles are also utilised by the sailing community and hence the excellent link between this highly regarded competitive sport and the Audi brand,” Mr Hofmann said.

There is strong synergy between the Audi brand and the Sport of Sailing. Audi Australia as principal partner to the Sydney Harbour Regatta activates its international “future-orientated partnerships” charter in supporting a vision and in fields of providing new stimulus – like Audi itself as one of the leading manufacturers of luxury automobiles.

Since 2000, Audi AG has been sponsoring sailing too. The motivation for these sponsoring activities is manifold – innovative technology, the highest quality standards and strong performance are demands made by both Audi and modern sailing.