'New' Name For 2002

The Swedish Match Tour begins 2002 with a new “official” name. Previously called the “Swedish Match Grand Prix Sailing Tour,” the property’s name has been shortened to Swedish Match Tour.

“As worldwide recognition of the Swedish Match Tour has increased, and a reputation as the pre-eminent professional sailing series has been established, the move to a more “user-friendly” name, for competitors and media especially, was a natural decision,” said Scott MacLeod, Swedish Match Tour Director.

In just two years, the Swedish Match Tour has become “the ultimate battleground of sailing” as America’s Cup skippers and teams, along with top match racing sailors, face-off in one-on-one competitions. At Swedish Match Tour events teams match race in identical event-supplied racing yachts on courses close to shore with a focus on teamwork and strategy. These winner-take-all competitions leave little room for error with excitement building in the start sequences and culminating in victories by the narrowest of margins, all played out within meters of large crowds of spectators.

Exciting competition and a spectator-friendly experience are further supplemented by a worldwide television distribution of Swedish Match Tour programming into more than 330 million households and a soon-to-be re-launched Web site, www.swedishmatchtour.com.

The next event on the Swedish Match Tour is the Steinlager Line 7 Cup, March 19-24, in Auckland, New Zealand.

With average prize purses at a record level, a highly competitive atmosphere and all the America’s Cup syndicates participating as part of their preparation for the next Cup, 2002 promises to be an exciting year on the Swedish Match Tour.