AGMC and BMW Middle East catalysts of yacht racing growth

    Dumped value of 'ID':
'148923';

Dumped value of 'images_loop':
[
    {
        'caption' => 'Duboats at the Maktoum Sailing Trophy.',
        'name' => 'bmw.jpg',
        'url' => '/8/53428-bmw.jpg'
    }
];

Participating in the Maktoum Sailing Trophy were the Dubai-Muscat race winners, the AGMC-BMW Duboats Yacht Racing Team, led by Yousef bin Lahej, the first UAE national to qualify for the Olympic games. The Duboats team also grabbed third place in the Jumeirah Regatta and the Maktoum Sailing Trophy's Division 2.

'BMW Group has been a long time supporter of yachting, as demonstrated by the BMW Yachtsport philosophy and strategy,' said Stathis I. Stathis, General Manager, AGMC. 'AGMC has now come on board to support this emerging sport with the sponsorship of the Duboats Yacht Racing Team announced last year.

'This strategy isn't only limited at an international level, with local support already being provided to several entities, such as the Duboats Yacht Racing Team on the yachting front. BMW Golfsport and BMW Motorsport are additional pillars of this philosophy having enjoyed successful implementation in our market, such as support for the Dubai Desert Classic, the Dubai Ladies Masters golf tournaments, and the BMW Golf Cup International.'

BMW's involvement in yachting dates back to September 2002, with what has become the BMW Oracle America's Cup racing team. BMW Yachsport's long history in the sport of yacht racing focuses on the development of the sport and the contribution of new technology that has allowed racing yachts to become faster, lighter and easier to manoeuvre.

BMW's unwavering support for yachting has resulted in a number of international tournaments, including the BMW Sailing Cup World Finals, which will be held in Dubai this year, and is a testament to the synergy between BMW and Yachtsport as major contributors to the sport's growing popularity.

The BMW Sailing Cup World Finals will be held in Dubai from April 15 to 20, 2008, at the Dubai International Marine Club, and will see the participation of ten international teams, including the first-ever participation of the UAE team.

BMW is also involved in the following sailing events: Giraglia Rolex Cup (St Tropez, Genoa), Copa del Rey (Palma de Mallorca), BMW Match Race Academy (Italy), BMW City Challenge (London), Royal Langkawi International Regatta (Malaysia) and the BMW Club Cup (Essen).