Taken together, they have many decades of experience in the automotive industry, have a wealth of knowledge about vehicle technology and have already completed several projects together. And then the six colleagues from Rüsselsheim find themselves on a sailing boat in the Mediterranean and try to pull apart this large, bulbous headsail, the spinnaker, with their combined strength. After a turning manoeuvre, it wrapped itself around the mast and is extremely stubborn. Meanwhile, valuable seconds and minutes are passing away. And one competitor after the other sails by.
How many sailor’s curses the crew uttered at that moment? “I’d rather keep quiet about that,” says Marten Wittorf with a smile. In addition, the good memories that the six-man Opel crew brought back from this sailing weekend at the end of October are too numerous. The colleagues were at the start of a sailing regatta to which “Oxygene Stellantis” invites every year, an organization that is responsible for sports and cultural events in the French parent company.
They started under the name “2022 O/V Segelteam” (from left): Robert Förster, Thomas Uhlendorf, Joachim Schäfer, Joachim Alberti, Marten Wittorf and Martin Petermann.
The starting point of the two and a half day regatta is Marseille: the berths are just a few minutes’ walk from the center of the Mediterranean metropolis.
“The fact that we didn’t have any in-depth sailing experience or just a long time ago wasn’t an obstacle.”
– Marten Wittorf –
The fact that none of them had any profound and/or only long-ago sailing experience was not an obstacle for them. In early summer, the “landlubbers” had tested their seaworthiness in the Dutch Sneekermeer to be on the safe side – with the result that they wanted to dare the adventure despite a few deficits. So in October they set off for the south of France. The most experienced in the team, Joachim Schäfer, was appointed skipper. Marten Wittorf, Joachim Alberti, Thomas Uhlendorf, Robert Förster and Martin Petermann made up the team.
The goal: not to capsize
In Marseille, the crew met the other twelve teams from the group, including colleagues from Maserati. “Oxygene Stellantis” has been organizing the regatta for 20 years, so it was clear to the people from Rüsselsheim that they had no serious chance of winning. “We had therefore set ourselves modest goals,” says Marten Wittorf. “First: don’t capsize. Second: hurt yourself and nobody else. Third: don’t finish last.” To ensure equal opportunities, all teams had the same boat model, an “Archambault Grand Surprise”. A noble sailor, about nine and a half meters long. The ideal sailing boat for everyone who likes to travel fast. And thanks to the bulbous headsail, the spinnaker, it is agile even in light winds. “We had no experience with this type of sail,” notes Wittorf. And that was just one of many challenges.
The Archambault Grand Surprise boats were designed with performance in mind over comfort. But the boat can still be sailed quickly even in moderate winds.
Exciting starting phases, setting course, choosing turning points, concentration and nerves of steel: the Opel team did well in the two and a half day regatta.
“We got better and better and harmonized more and more.”
– Marten Wittorf –
Even crossing the starting line for the tactically best starting position – extremely demanding. Especially since it can get incredibly tight with 13 boats on the water. Just like at the turning points of the course. “Upwind”, “Halfwind”, “Downwind” – of course, there is also the permanent adjustment of the sail. As usual, the regatta consisted of several competitions over short and long distances. On one occasion, the teams had to circumnavigate the island “Iles du Frioul”, which is four kilometers west of Marseille in the Mediterranean Sea. “And we got better and better, the craftsmanship became more reliable and we harmonized more and more,” says Wittorf. The team had big plans for the final day, Sunday. But then Peter threw a spanner in the works. “The weather was wonderful – but unfortunately we didn’t have enough wind.” And the spinnaker headsail that can be used in these cases has its pitfalls, as described at the beginning.
Despite everything won
The meeting with 90 Stellantis colleagues from all over Europe was already more than worthwhile for the Rüsselsheim colleagues: “Getting to know each other and the exchange with each other – that is the real success that we celebrated on this trip,” Wittorf sums up. It has already been decided that the Opel team will be back at the next Oxygene Stellantis Regatta. It is to be held on the Italian coast next year. The colleagues from Maserati have already started looking for a suitable location. And what happened to the set goals? “We didn’t capsize and everyone stayed healthy,” nods Marten Wittorf. And goal number three, not finishing last? “We’ll talk about that another time.” The Rüsselsheim colleagues still have to learn how to spin sailor’s yarns.
Until then on the last day the “Spinnaker” had to be set in moderate wind. The Opel team had no experience with the bulbous, yellow headsail.
For the crew from Rüsselsheim, the meeting with 90 Stellantis colleagues from all over Europe was “the real benefit” of the trip anyway. The start for 2023 is firmly planned.
Anyone interested in participating in the “Oxygene Stellantis” regatta 2023 can contact marten.wittorf@stellantis.com. All expenses for travel, boat, equipment and accommodation must be borne by yourself.
November 2022
Text: Eric Scherer, photos: private