Miss Helvetia

Presents " Miss Helvetia " : a tall ship for Switzerland !

"May this sailboat bring back many stories to port of sharing and experiences and be the pride of Switzerland" Cathy Horn "How can you ever discover new lands inside yourself if you never leave home" Mike Horn

As incredible as it could be, Switzerland is a real Power in the sailing World.

There is however one field in which Switzerland is conspicuous by its absence: the Tall Ships' races and events. Indeed, Switzerland, despite the fact that it owns the largest freshwater sailboats, is not represented!

The aim of this project, initiated by Sail Training Switzerland / STCH (Swiss Sail Training Association) is to repair this shortcoming by creating a Swiss Tall Ship, Miss Helvetia , so that it may take part to the world's Tall Ships' meetings, bearing high the colours of Switzerland.

This (hereover) is what Miss Helvetia , a three-masted Barquentine over 45 m long (LOA), will look like, following the restoration of Runi (herebelow), a former gaff-rigged pilot schooner constructed in steel in Germany in the early 1900's

We only need CHF 300'000 (i.e. 6 corporate sponsors, each giving only CHF 50'000), to acquire the Runi , to convey her from Grenaa (in Denmark) to Basel (via the Rhein river) and to start restoring her there.

We propose to anyone potentially interested, Swiss (or interested in the Swiss market) entities (or individuals), to pay each CHF 50'000 to sponsor the restoration of this Tall Ship, thereby supporting a project which will:

• Be federating for Switzerland,
• Favour the integration of youth in Swiss society, even those handicapped whatever their linguistic, cultural and social origins.
• Represent a showcase of Swiss know-how, technology and tourist attraction, particularly at Tall Ship's events which, as stated above, welcome up to one million visitors in each port

The financing of the restoration work will be done through the "Sail Training World Foundation", a foundation being formed, with an initial capital of CHF 50'000, whose main object will be to collect funds for the acquisition, the restoration, and the operation of Miss Helvetia .

This will allow those sponsors to benefit from our CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM, which advantages will be as follows:

• A tax deduction (depending on the cantons) for their donation.
• Having the possibility to participate to one or several legs of the coming delivery of the "Runi", under motor power, from Grenaa (Denmark), to Basel (Switzerland), where the restoration work will begin.
• Having the boat and its' image at their disposal for Public relations, in their field of activity (possibly on an exclusive basis), during the restoration.
• Having their name associated with the project by showing their logo on the yard location in Basel, on Miss Helvetia's website and newsletter (under preparation)
• Having their name/logo engraved on the deck and on a copper plate placed at a prominent location on "Miss Helvetia".
• Having the possibility to rent one or two meeting, exhibition and/or reception rooms (when the restoration work will allow for it)
• Having he possibility to use "Miss Helvetia" as a restaurant, a meeting place (in particular forcompany celebrations) with outside catering, or for a cheese fondue locally prepared by the "crew" (when the restoration work will allow for it)
• Having he possibility to use "Miss Helvetia" as a hotel, for a fair, an exhibition (when the restoration work will allow for it)
• Having the possibility to participate to one or more legs of the trip from Basel to Hobro, when the works in Basel reach an end.
• Having the possibility to participate to the inaugural trip of "Miss Helvetia" under sails in the Baltic Sea
• Having the possibility to charter "Miss Helvetia" and her Crew for a weekend, a week for seminars, conferences, motivation sessions, etc. embarking at European ports, once "Miss Helvetia" is fully operational
• Getting special prices for selected voyages / cruises once "Miss Helvetia" is fully operational

Other benefits can also be foreseen. We are open to your suggestions to that respect!

We are counting on your active support! Don't hesitate to recommend around you our project and support, even in case of negative interest from your part!

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