A new partnership with Elvstrøm Sails Germany has been presented at the Kielerwoche today. The Heiligenhafen-based Elvström Deutschland GmbH joins the BAT Sailing Team in the J/70’s.
The BAT Sailing Seam was founded with the aim of aiding inclusion in sailing, welcoming sailors with and without disabilities to sail and race together, hence the name BAT Sailing Team which symbolizes that top performance is achievable even without sight.
The BAT Sailing Team has a crew of 13 active members, including sailors with visual and hearing impairments or with physical disabilities – alongside hearing and sighted members. The team has been active since 2021 across inclusive sailing and of course, competition sailing.
The team already competes in the German Sailing League as well as selected J/70 regattas through the season – and the current Kielerwoche included.
Socially responsible racing
Having the J/70 as a platform for the team also fits perfectly with the current partnerships Elvstrøm Sails is in, having been the manufacturer of choice in the Danish League for two seasons now, and alongside, having paved the way for a Norwegian championship victory.
Now the brand hits German waters with the J/70 - a central point for Elvstrøm Sails Deutschland and its managing directors, Sascha Schwarck and Bjarne Lorenzen.
- We represent Elvstrøm Sails, and for many years, it has also been the core ambition of Elvstrøm Sails to manufacture sustainably, whilst being socially committed – fitting a project like this perfectly.
- We are super excited about this new commitment, and not only do we want to support a high-performing team, but also to serve as a role model for greater inclusion in sailing and in our sport, Bjarne Lorenzen says.
New opportunities
Adding to it is Clemens Kraus, the founder of Wir sind Wir – Inclusion in Sailing. He’s enthusiastic about the new opportunities:
- We are very grateful for the support from the maritime industry. For our mission and our goals, we need precisely such committed partners and sponsors who support our vision of an inclusive sailing world.
BAT Sailing Team has been racing in the German League system since they first qualified for it in 2023. They covered the full 2024 season in the Second German Sailing League, and are continuing this season.
For more - in German - please visit:
https://www.wir-sind-wir.org/elvstroem-deutschland-unterstuetzt-inklusives-segeln-neue-partnerschaft-mit-dem-bat-sailing-team/