Media

Laureus World Sports Awards

Friday, 23 May 2003

AMERICA’S CUP CREWMAN GREEN TAKES THE HONOURS IN 2003 LAUREUS REGATTA * Schuemann applauds Green’s ‘perfect’ start * Great to be part of Laureus event, says winner Green MONACO, May 20, 2003 - Britain’s Andy Green, who led from the start, beat fellow America’s Cup yachtsman Jochen Schuemann in the final of the 2003 Laureus Regatta on Tuesday. Green, who was one of the starting helmsmen of the GBR Challenge for the 2002-03 America's Cup, never lost his grip on the regatta’s deciding race as strong winds of around 18 knots whipped up after a calm morning. Green had advanced to the last stage by beating Paolo Cian 2-0 in a best-of-three semi-final while Schuemann, a four-times Olympic medallist and a key member for Alinghi in the America’s Cup, won through 2-0 against former Olympic champion Thierry Peponnet. Former Olympic champion Peponnet, twice a competitor in the America’s Cup, later clinched the third-place playoff. The regatta was one of several high-profile sports events staged in the lead-up to the fourth annual Laureus World Sports Awards, to be held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo on the evening of May 20. "What a couple of days!" said Green, who received the Panerai Trophy and a sparkling new Mercedes CLK200 Cabriolet, while each yacht owner collected a specially crafted limited edition Officine Panerai watch. "Last night at the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation (charity auction) dinner, it was a very big deal, hearing how sport can do so much good. It's great to be part of the Laureus event. Then to cap it all today was fantastic. Beating Jochen Schuemann in the final and winning a Mercedes was the perfect end to a great couple of days." Schuemann was a gracious losing finalist: "That's the thing about sport. The best always shine at the right moment. Andy got a perfect start and continued to hold on to it." The Laureus Regatta, presented by Mercedes-Benz AMG and the Italian watch company Officine Panerai, is dedicated to Laureus World Sports Academy member Sir Peter Blake, who died tragically in 2001 after being attacked by pirates on a sailing expedition to the Amazon. The match-racing Laureus Regatta, which is sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation and organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco from Le Meridien Monte Carlo, took place in Nautor’s new One Design Class, the Swan 45. The competing skippers moved around the boats, which were hosted by equally celebrated yachtsmen. Celebrities and Laureus Hosts will had the opportunity to take part in the action. The Awards Ceremony at the Grimaldi Forum provides a fitting climax to two days of high-profile events, which, in addition to the Laureus Regatta, include the Laureus Golf Challenge, presented by Mercedes-Benz and English luxury men’s brand dunhill, and the Laureus Tennis Challenge, featuring Boris Becker, John McEnroe, Henri Leconte and Ilie Nastase. The Laureus World Sports Awards has established a unique place in the sporting calendar, honouring the greatest sportsmen and sportswomen from around the world and across all sports. The winners are selected by the ultimate sports jury - the 41 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy. Among these legends of sport who will be in Monaco are: Giacomo Agostini, Franz Beckenbauer, Boris Becker, Ian Botham, Sergey Bubka, Bobby Charlton, Sebastian Coe, Nadia Comaneci, Yaping Deng, Kapil Dev, Morné du Plessis, Emerson Fittipaldi, Dawn Fraser, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Miguel Indurain, Michael Johnson, Kip Keino, Franz Klammer, Dan Marino, John McEnroe, Edwin Moses, Nawal El Moutawakel, Robbie Naish, Ilie Nastase, Martina Navratilova, Gary Player, Hugo Porta, Mark Spitz, Daley Thompson, Alberto Tomba and Katarina Witt. For further information please contact: Laureus World Sports Awards International Media Office Tel: +377 9999 3080 or e-mail: media@laureus.org Photo Archive: www.laureusarchive.com Website: www.laureus.com