Gstaad Yacht Club by Gstaad Yacht Club
Local News
Picture: Anita Moser
Friday 13 July 2012 Page 5
SFr 400‘000 for the Swiss top sailors, thanks to the generosity of the Gstaad Yacht club members. Founded in 1998 the Gstaad Yacht Club was a bit of a joke in the beginning as a club in the mountains without water. However since then it has become a solid force on the Swiss sailing scene. Two and a half years ago its members decided to support the best Swiss sailors in their attempt for the 2012 Olympic Games. Since then roughly SFr 400’000 has been collected to support them, something it is not well known to the public. The idea was born in 2009 and in early 2010 was officially announced. In a private campaign the members of the Gstaad Yacht Club started supporting top sailors on their way to the 2012 Olympics. The Star boat with Flavio Marazzi/ Enrico De Maria has already been previously supported. In mid 2010 Nathalie Brugger sailing on a La-
ser Radial joined the team, and in 2011 the wind surfer Richard Stauffacher. George Nicholson and Peter Erzberger, the initiators of the campaign, are hopeful that until the start of the Olympic Games about SFr 500’000 may be reached. With these donations the athletes are able to pay the high travel, transport, training and hotel costs as well as part of the investments into their sailing materials. Richard Stauffacher, who was placed 8th in the Olympic rehearsal says,“This support helps me so much to focus on the performance of my maximum level.” Marazzi crew Enrico De Maria emphasizes: “The club does not only support us financially but also with know-how. We greatly appreciate having such a strong partner at our side.”
From left: Nathalie Brugger, Richard Stauffacher, Enrico De Maria, Flavio Marazzi and President of the GYC Peter Erzberger. Particular to the topic of the Olympics, and the challenging sailing areas already tested two years ago, the Gstaad Yacht Club helped to develop a weather & wind observation system, knowing that the weather, wind and current conditions in the Olympic area will be extremely difficult. Who knows, maybe this preparation may be worth its weight in Gold?
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially the Games of the XXX Olympiad, are scheduled to take place in London, United Kingdom from July 27 to August 12 2012. The sailing competitions will take place outside of London, in Weymouth at the Portland National Sailing Academy in the attractive south west of England.
Another successful year for the John F. Kennedy School By Januaria Piromallo This special award was mounted on an original piece of wood, taken from the old schoolhouse. The ‘School Rock band’ surprised everyone with their amazing renditions of popular songs from the 70’s and 80’s. The last performance was given by an outstanding Geoffrey Moore and daughter Ambra, playing American rock stars. The BBQ was prolonged by the “Flower PoWer Party” held the day before by Tiarè von Meister, to show the new collection of lamps made
by her and other students for the charity, a “Light for Africa”. Thanks to this money some Ethiopian chil-
dren of the Lisa WoodWard Foundation will go to a summer camp this year for the very first time.
Picture: Anita Moser
Rock music filled the air in Saanen as the John F. Kennedy School said goodbye to another successful year. Peter Livanos, the chairman of the foundation, announced the start of the renovation for the new building project. The annual BBQ with an assortment of Greek dishes and awards ceremony took place on the grass at the boarding house. Many awards and certificates of achievement were given out to those who excelled in academics, music, sports and art. A new tradition started with the ‘Lovell Award’ for the most caring and considerate student.
Flower Party for charity “Light for Africa”: Sabrina Scherz, Allegra Simoni, Tiare and Kamalei von Meister.