Quarters underway at Portugal Match Cup

(Source: World Match Racing Tour) Three crews advanced to the Semifinal Round of the Portugal Match Cup, Stage 1 of the 2006-’07 World Match Racing Tour, after three of four matches in the quarterfinals were completed.

Chris Dickson (NZL), BMW Oracle Racing, who’s posted a 7-1 record, will square off against Peter Gilmour (AUS), PST, the three-time reigning World Tour champion.

The other half of the semis will see Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN), Mascalzone Latino – Capitalia Team, last year’s fourth-placed team, against the winner of Match 4, which pits Magnus Holmberg (SWE), Victory Challenge, against Chris Law (GBR), The Outlaws.

Law and Mathieu Richard (FRA), Saba Sailing Team, finished first and second in the Repechage Round, and joined in the quarterfinals six crews who advanced after the initial round robin.

The afternoon breeze was up today on the Bay of Cascais, blowing 12 to 15 knots from the north, off the city front. The 3rd annual Portugal Match Cup has 12 teams competing for a $100,000 prize, with $30,000 earmarked for the champion.

The quaterfinals, a first to 2 points knockout round, started in the early evening as the sun set over Cascais. The first match saw Dickson, who won Group A at 5-0, taking on Richard, the qualifier from the repechage. In close racing, particularly the second flight, Dickson won 2-1.

Peter Gilmour (AUS), PST, appears to have regained his form, and eliminated Staffan Lindberg (FIN), Alandia Sailing Team, in two straight. After starting the regatta 1-2, the World champion has won four straight to help setup the match with Dickson.

Gram-Hansen won the first flight against Thierry Peponnet (FRA), Areva Challenge. Peponnet bounced back to even the score, but Gram-Hansen came through in the decider.

Gram-Hansen will square off against the winner of Match 4, between Holmberg, winner of Group B, and Law, the repechage winner. The semis are knockout matches of first to 3 points.

Law and Richard advanced from the repechage after winning their two remaining races earlier in the day. Ian Williams (GBR), Williams Sail Racing, lost an opportunity to advance when he lost to Law in the final match of the round.