Over the past few years the Match Race on Lake Geneva organized by the venerable Cercle de la Voile of the Societe Nautique de Geneve has evolved to become an international sailing event attracting some of the best competitors in this sport. After all, land-locked Switzerland made headline news when its crew stunningly won the America´s Cup. Traditionally the main autumn regatta, the Bentley Geneva Match Race will take place between 17 and 19 October 2008 close to the Port Noir. Bentley Geneva makes its debut this year as main sponsor of the event, hosted by Bentley Geneve Andre Chevalley.

The Match Race on Lake Geneva is an important venue for competitors since the points gathered by the winner affect official ranking in the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), very much like the ATP in the world of tennis. Eight excellent skippers from all over the world along with their crews will compete in the Bentley Geneva Match Race, matching their skill and experience against each other and dealing with those classic variables of sailing: wind and currents. The regatta will be conducted according to ISAF rules and has been awarded a Grade 2 status, which in the sailing world is comparable to second league. To give each crew a fair chance, the Sailing Section of the Nautical Society of Geneva will outfit the crews with identical sailboats and sets of sails, in this case sleek Surprise crafts renowned for their speed and agility.

A model of a different order altogether, but equally fast and agile will figuratively set sail in Geneva during the Match Race days. With a champagne reception for an exclusive circle of guests at the Societe Nautique Bentley Geneve Andre Chevalley will uncover the new Continental Flying Spur Speed on the eve of the regatta. Blending the high performance of its powerful 610 HP engine with the refined craftsmanship of a luxury limousine engineered by the British carmaker Bentley Motors and featuring the custom high-end sound system by Naim , the Continental Flying Spur, too, was built to race against the wind.