Pinta (yacht)

Pinta was a series of racing yachts owned by German industrialist and yachtsman Willi Illbruck. Pinta raced for DYC (Düsseldorfer Yachtclub) and KYC (Kieler Yacht Club).

Willi Illbruck started sailing his first Pinta, a one-ton yacht, in 1969. Pinta had its first international successes at the beginning of the 1970s and was runner-up in the 1975 Admiral's Cup, the first time it participated in the event.

Between 1982 and 1983, Willi Illbruck and Udo Schultz built 7/8-rigged boats using the new honeycomb technique. Germany won the 1983 Admiral's Cup with Willi Illbruck Pinta and Udo Schultz Container.

Introducing the slogan "The Fight Goes On!" in 1993, the year turned out to be "Year of the Cups", the most successful year in Pinta's history. With a 100% professional crew, Pinta won the Admiral's Cup and the 1993 One Ton Cup with Russell Coutts as skipper/tactician. Pinta defended the One Ton Cup again in 1994, now with John Kostecki as skipper/tactician and Rod Davis as helmsman.

John Kostecki continued as skipper/tactician on the team from 1994.

From 1998, Willi Illbruck's son, Michael Illbruck, continued his father's sporting commitment with yachts named Illbruck Challenge, Nela, and Pinta. The Volvo Ocean 60 yacht Illbruck Challenge won the 2001–02 Volvo Ocean Race.