United Internet Team Germany confirmed on Sunday that it intends to compete in the 2009 America's Cup race and hopes to recruit the services of Olympic gold-medallist Jochen Schuemann.

"After a German boat competed in the Cup's qualifying event this year, it is our duty to sailing in Germany to continue the experience," said Michael Scheeren, the owner of the German challenger.

"We have already invested money in Valencia and we are glad to be able to use the facilities," added Scheeren.

The German challenge, which came second-from-last in this year's Louis Vuitton Cup, are hoping to recruit experienced sailor Schuemann, who won Finn-class gold at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and was Alinghi's sport director in their 2003 and 2007 cup wins.

The Germans have already recruited Polish veteran Karol Jablonski.

"We want to learn the lessons from our first experience and to use the time to assemble the best crew possible," insisted Scheeren.