Adam Minoprio advances to Monsoon Cup finals

Minoprio's last 24 hours are the closest to resurrection one can get in match racing. He faced a near death experience in the round robins, facing the possibility of getting eliminated and seeing the world title vanish in front of his eyes, but then swept through the quarterfinals in order to beat Peter Gilmour 3-1 in the semifinals.

Race 1 / Minoprio 1 - Gilmour 0
Fresh from winning his world champion title, Adam Minoprio started the semifinals on a strong foot. The young kiwi forced a penalty on the Autralian veteran right on the starting line and the umpires raised the red flag. By the time Gilmour offloaded the penalty Minoprio had built a comfortable advantage. He had the right, as he wanted, and it was impossible for Gilmour to threaten him. The opening match of the semifinal series went to Minoprio

Start of the 1st semifinal race between Minoprio and Gilmour. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It's a red flag for Gilmour. Not the best start for a semifinal series. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Adam Minoprio approaches the 1st top mark well ahead of Peter Gilmour. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Peter Gilmour sailing in the 3rd upwind leg. The Australian sailor was unable to reach Minoprio. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Adam Minoprio sails to victory in the 1st match of the semifinals. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Race 2 / Minoprio 1 - Gilmour 1
Gilmour was quick to show he has more than 30 years of match racing experience. He forced Minoprio into two penalties, one at the pin end a second one at the committee boat when Minoprio's boat collided. With a red flag by the umpires, it meant Adam Minoprio would trail Gilmour for the rest of the race.

Adam Minoprio receives his first penalty. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Second penalty for Adam Minoprio and red flag. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

World champions BlackMatch Racing sailing upwind. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Gilmour comfortably ahead at the 2nd beat. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Gilmour comfortably ahead at the 3rd beat. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

There is nothing Minoprio can do, Gilmour will cross the finish line ahead. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Race 3 / Minoprio 2 - Gilmour 1
Talk of a comeback for Minoprio. Gilmour flawlessly executed his start, hitting the starting line with a faster pace while Minoprio couldn't get his timing correct, got squeezed at the committee boat, nearly got hooked on the anchor chain AND got a penalty. As a result, Gilmour built a nice lead in the first beat and rounded the 1st top mark comfortably ahead. Yet, despite this discouraging start, in each of the three runs Minoprio managed to gain a little over Gilmour's lead and about 50 meters from the finish line he showed his match racing skills. All Gilmour had to do was gybe away but Minoprio was able to grab the opportunity and force into a port-starboard incident. Gilmour got a penalty a few meters from the finish line and Minoprio crossed it front!

Prestart of the 3rd semifinal race between Gilmour and Minoprio. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Awful start by Minoprio as Tom Powrie and Dave Sweete try to avoid having the yacht get hooked on the anchor chain. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Penalty for Minoprio. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Peter Gilmour couldn't have a better start. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Peter Gilmour leads at the 1st run. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Peter Gilmour leads at the 2nd bottom mark. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Peter Gilmour leads at the approach to the finish line. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Minoprio gybes ahead of Gilmour. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Minoprio drops the sails down to slow down. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Peter Gilmour gets the penalty. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Adam Minoprio wins the race. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Race 3 / Minoprio 3 - Gilmour 1
The fourth race of the semifinals initially appeared, at least from our position in the photo boat, to be Gilmour's, or at least its start. Gilmour seemed to have the upper hand but as Minoprio stated he was happy to start right at the pin end with big speed and then get the left which paid big time. From there on there wasn't much to the race and Minorio held on to his lead. Making things worse, in the second beat Gilmour and his crew seemed to be unsure what buoy to head to after the change of course and as a result they rounded both.

Minoprio won the match and the semifinals and will face Ben Ainslie on Sunday.

Prestart of the fourth and final race. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Minoprio starts at the pin with full speed. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Adam Minoprio(helm) and Tom Powrie (trim) in full action in the 1st beat. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Adam Minoprio has just rounded the correct red-and-yellow buoy while Gilmour is unsure and rounds both of them. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Adam Minoprio is comfortably in front of Peter Gilmout and sails to victory and the Monsoon Cup finals. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing