Jesper Bank, undefeated, advances to Danish Open semis along with Lindberg, Gram-Hansen and Col

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] On the strength of what he called a “perfect day,” Denmark’s Jesper Bank won the round robin at the Danish Open, Stage 2 of the 2006-’07 World Match Racing Tour, with an 11-0 record.

Bank, the reigning Danish Open champion and skipper of United Internet Team Germany, began the day with a 4-0 record. That meant he and his crew were on the water all day long completing the round robin.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better day,” Bank said. “Because we fell behind in the schedule we had to do seven races and the pressure was on. But we kept winning one after the other. I’d have to call it a perfect day.”

Jesper Bank and crew plow into a wave during a pre-start in front of the Royal Danish Yacht Club. Photo copyright Per Heegaard/Danish Open

For winning the round robin Bank will get to choose his semifinal opponent. That will either be Staffan Lindberg (FIN), Alandia Sailing Team, Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN), Mascalzone Latino – Capitalia, or Sebastian Col (FRA), Areva Challenge.

Lindberg finished the round robin second at 8-3, Gram-Hansen third at 7-4 and Col fourth, also at 7-4. Gram-Hansen beat Col head-to-head to place third.

“I’ll have to discuss it with my crew,” said Bank. “We had a quick chat about it on the way in and were thinking about Lindberg, but may change our mind now that we know he’s right behind us in wins.”

Although Bank termed his day perfect, the weather was far from it. Ducks and birds took cover today as the wind blew hard out of the east mostly around 20 knots but gusting to 30 knots in the middle of the afternoon with a nasty chop between 3 and 5 feet. The crews, however, took it all in stride.

Jes Gram-Hansen is wide-eyed surfing down a wave during Day 3 at the Danish Open. Photo copyright Per Heegaard/Danish Open

“You’re still match-racing,” said Gram-Hansen, who won this event two years ago. “You had to wait for the flat water to tack the boat.”

“It didn’t matter where you went,” said Lindberg. “You had to have good starts and tack in the flat water. Downwind it’s different in the surfing conditions. It’s more spectacular than in flat water.”

For Col, who’s competing for the first time at the Danish Open, today was another learning experience.

“For us it’s been hard,” said the new helmsman for Areva Challenge. “The conditions have been different every day. Today it was tough to steer and trim. The boats are quite light for their size. You had to keep the speed up.”

The match-racing was high quality. There were numerous windward mark roundings where the leeward boat sailed the windward boat nearly off the racecourse. There were about 10 penalties issued, and there were come-from-behind wins.

Sten Mohr and his BMW Oracle crew did not make it to the semifinals. Photo copyright Per Heegaard/Danish Open

Gram-Hansen had one such win against Sten Mohr (DEN), BMW ORACLE Racing. Gram-Hansen got a pre-start penalty in the critical match, but came back to win.

“We had a better start and speed on the course,” said Gram-Hansen. “We were able to take the penalty on the second upwind and then be right behind at the windward mark. He tried to luff us but we got over him and into the lead heading to the finish.”

After a long day of racing, Bank said he was looking forward to some sleep. He and his crew traveled to Germany last night to attend a reception for Team Germany. The lack of sleep and big wind left him drained, but he’s finally feeling comfortable on the racecourse.

“We lacked the hours in the boats that some of the other crews have had,” Bank said. “It took us three or four races to feel comfortable.”

Danish Open 2006 Provisional Standings
(After 22 of 22 scheduled flights)

1. Jesper Bank (DEN) United Internet Team Germany, 11-0
2. Staffan Lindberg (FIN) Alandia Sailing Team, 8-3
3. Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) Mascalzone Latino – Capitalia, 7-4
4. Sebastian Col (FRA) Areva Challenge, 7-4
5. Ian Williams (GBR) Williams Sail Racing, 6-5
6. Björn Hansen (SWE) Team Apport.net, 6-5
7. Sten Mohr (DEN) BMW ORACLE Racing, 5-6
8. Peter Wibroe (DEN) Team Wibroe, 4-7
9. Dorte O. Jensen (DEN) Team Sjælsø Gruppen, 4-7
10. Simon Minoprio (NZL) Vision Yachting, 3-8
11. Mathieu Richard (FRA) Saba Sailing Team, 3-8
12. Mads Ebler (DEN), 2-9