Monsoon Cup practice day and skippers press conference

Greetings from rainy Kuala Terengganu, home of the Monsoon Cup. The 12 sailors fighting for the Malaysian trophy were divided into two groups of 6 and carried out their practice sessions until the early afternoon. The practice day started slowly with a light breeze but finished under much fresher winds as the monsoon rain was approaching from the north.

I didn't have the time to talk to the sailors, especially the top five that vie for the ISAF World Match Racing Champion title, as I went onbaard Torvar Mirsky's yacht right after arriving at noon. Mirsky's team practiced a few races against their fellow young Australian, Keith Swinton, as well as Ian Williams. Mirsky, mathematically, still have chances to become the brand new world champion but they are considerably slim. A lot has to come to his favor but with such a strong lineup, Phil Robertson, Keith Swinton, Peter Gilmour or Jesper Radich could spoil the party for Mathieu, Richard or Ainslie.

The five skippers with chances at the world title, Mathieu Richard, Adam Minoprio, Ben Ainslie, Torvar Mirsky and Ian Williams will talk in a press conference starting at 5pm local time (10am CET) that will be streamed online, here on Valencia Sailing as well, so there will be many chances to ask them any questions.

Some of the video footage certainly leaves a lot to be desired but it was just experimental, trying to get more of the action, from the front and from in front, not the back. The more time I pass on those yachts the more I'm convinced sailing could become more popular with a cameraman onboard. The question of course, is where to put him.

Torvar Mirsky and his crew train on the eve of hte Monsoon Cup. Kuala Terengganu, 30 November 2010. Video copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Torvar Mirsky and his crew train on the eve of hte Monsoon Cup. Kuala Terengganu, 30 November 2010. Video copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Torvar Mirsky and his crew train on the eve of the Monsoon Cup. Kuala Terengganu, 30 November 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Trimmer Kinley Fowler in full action. Kuala Terengganu, 30 November 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Kyle Langford trims the mainsail and calls tactics while Torvar Mirsky helms. Kuala Terengganu, 30 November 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Pitman Tudur Owen in full action. Kuala Terengganu, 30 November 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

No, I was NOT on Keith Swinton's yacht but with so much at stake there is no doubt we will be seeing more of that kind of extremely close racing . Kuala Terengganu, 30 November 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing