Press Release 6th February 2025

BILLA supports young talent of the Austrian Sailing Association as main sponsor

BILLA is intensifying its commitment to promoting young talent in domestic sport and is now supporting the youth of the Austrian Sailing Association as its main sponsor. The food retailer is thus continuing its consistent commitment to youth sport and is supplementing its existing initiatives - including the ‘I live for my club!’ campaign, the BILLA Football Cup and the sponsorship of numerous young athletes such as those from Admira Wacker, FIVERS and AFC Vienna Vikings. The new cooperation with the Austrian Sailing Association is the first in sailing and sends a strong signal in favour of supporting young sailors.

A group of people standing in front of a Billa Plus store, posing around a small sailboat with the number 1031. Some are casually dressed and two are holding award plaques. A poster with food images is on the right.

(f.l.t.r.): Roman Tullis (BILLA Partnership Management), Barbara Stelzl (Head of Marketing & Communication Austrian Sailing Association), Stefan Scharnagl (Head of Young Sailors Austrian Sailing Association), two enthusiastic young sailors, Dieter Schneider (President Austrian Sailing Association), Eric Scharnitz (BILLA Sales Director) and Stefan Glanz-Michaelis (Secretary General Austrian Sailing Association) are delighted with the new partnership. / Copyright: © BILLA AG / Robert Harson, Reproduction for PR purposes free of charge

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At a glance

Cast off: New partnership between BILLA and the Austrian Sailing Association (OeSV) supports more than 500 young sailing talents
Sailors can look forward to BILLA-branded jerseys (pinnies) for the whole season and branding for their sailing boats at the Austrian Youth Championships at the end of August
Further surprises such as snack packs with BILLA own-brand products and goodie bags are planned throughout the coming season

Eric Scharnitz, BILLA Sales Director: ‘Sport connects, inspires and strengthens body and mind. As a food retailer, we see it as our responsibility to be committed not only to local supply, but also to the community. An important cornerstone of this is the promotion of young athletes. We are therefore very proud to be the main sponsor of the Austrian Sailing Association in the youth sector with immediate effect and to support more than 500 young talents in Austria right from the start.’

‘We are convinced that by working together with BILLA, we can sustainably strengthen the next generation of sailing talent and offer even more children the chance to discover their passion for sailing,’ says OeSV President Dieter Schneider and adds: ’We are very pleased about the new partnership and are looking forward to the upcoming season.’

Stefan Scharnagl, Head of Junior Sailing at the OeSV: ‘It is particularly important to us to convey the joy of sport and at the same time promote team spirit, discipline and a healthy competitive spirit. We are proud to be able to follow this path together with BILLA and the sailing clubs and class associations so that our young talents can develop in the best possible way.’

Together into the next sailing season

The new partnership between BILLA and the Austrian Sailing Association covers the entire sailing season. The kick-off is the training camp in Slovenia in Holy Week, where the BILLA-branded jerseys (pinnies) will be handed over. There will also be an HR and start-up pavilion on site, where BILLA will provide information about career opportunities within the company and new products. Further support measures are planned for regional cups and key regattas with snack packs containing BILLA own-brand products or goodie bags. The highlight of the season, the Austrian Youth Championships at the end of August, will be contested by the young sailors with BILLA-branded sailing boats. The food retailer's main sponsorship will further optimise support for the young athletes in the future. An additional coach will provide more individualised support. Selected events will offer the opportunity to get friends and siblings of the talented youngsters interested in sailing.