Ben Ainslie claims #1 position in world match racing rankings

[Source: ISAF] Ben Ainslie's progress up the open rankings has been sure and steady. In December 2009 he was at #8 and since July 2010 has been poised at #2, ready to pounce on long term leader Adam Minoprio (NZL). With Minoprio at #2, Mathieu Richard (FRA) remains at #3 ahead of Torvar Mirsky (AUS) at #4 while Ian Williams (GBR) moves up to complete the top five.

Ainslie's rise to the top was secured on Sunday when he finished of the 2010 Tour season in style. Defeating Richard in the quarter-final of the Monsoon Cup left the French team fighting for survival. They could still claim the world title but the job was suddenly a lot more difficult. While Ainslie went on to defeat Bjorn Hansen (SWE) in the semi-final before meeting the Mirsky Racing Team in the final, Richard failed to win his sail off. It was a fitting finale to a nail-biting season and with Richard in eighth, the title belonged to Ainslie and TEAMORIGIN.


For Monsoon Cup qualifier Phil Robertson (NZL) it has been a glittering end to the year. After winning the Asian Match Racing Championship he travelled to Berlin and finished third at the ISAF Grade 1 Berlin Match Race. Back to New Zealand and he claimed the national title and then to Perth, Australia where he won the Sunseeker Australia Cup. Robertson finished the Monsoon Cup in tenth position and his results through November have lifted him to a career best of #9 in the world, a nine place rise from the previous ranking.

Third overall in Malaysia was Jesper Radich (DEN) who has stood on the podium at all four World Tour events he has sailed at this year. Radich moves up eleven places to #20. The Berlin Match Race was the only Grade 1 open event since the last ranking and this was won by Bjorn Hansen who went to finish fourth in Malaysia. Hansen moves two places up the rankings to #6.

Three ISAF Grade 2 open events took place in this period; the Mumbai International Match Race, the Sunseeker Australia Cup and the Carlos Aguilar Match Racing Championship in the US Virgin Islands. Laurie Jury (NZL) won in Mumbai and also finished sixth at the Carlos Aguilar and he subsequently climbs twelve places to a lifetime best of #27.

Ben Ainslie wins ISAF World Match Racing Championship and Monsoon Cup

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] Britain's Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN has won his first ISAF Match Racing World Championship title by winning the Monsoon Cup on a day of high drama in Malaysia. The three-time Olympic gold medalist was in imperious form at the deciding regatta having staged a stunning late season charge to snatch the title from the clutches of long time series leader Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team.

In what was the most enthralling ever finish to the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) the Ainslie v Richard duel went to the very final day of the final event of the season. Having turned the screws on Richard all week, Ainslie knew that if he won his Semi-Final and Richard failed to win his play-off race then the title would be his.

Ainslie's illustrious crew has been in such pressure situations many times before and the experience clearly showed. Their 2-0 victory over Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team sparked celebrations among the TEAMORIGIN crew, which includes two-time Olympic gold medalist Iain Percy, Christian Kamp, Mike Mottl and Matt Cornwell.

Highlights from the final day of the Monsoon Cup. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2010. Video copyright World Match Racing Tour

With the World title in the bag there was still unfinished business with the Tour's richest final at stake. Ainslie and his crew kept their composure for an epic final against Australian star Torvar Mirsky of Mirsky Racing Team. The confident young skipper reached the final with consummate ease, defeating Jesper Radich (DEN) Gaastra Racing 2-0 in their Semi-Final.

It was a fitting finale to an enthralling 2010 World Match Racing Tour, with nail-biting match racing that went to the wire: Mirsky recovered from a shaky start to take the first race by a comfortable margin. But Ainslie was 11 seconds ahead at the finish of the second. After four races the score was again even, leaving everything hanging on the fifth, which went in Ainslie's favour.

Commenting on his landmark victory, Ainslie said: "It was obviously a great way for us to end as a team. It was very tough out there today but it was a united effort and we’re really happy all round. For the whole team this has been massive for us. We've enjoyed been on the Tour an incredible amount."

For Richard it was a disappointing end to what had been a fantastic season in which he led the Tour from the opening race at Match Race France in April. Two further wins followed at the Korea Match Cup and the St Moritz Match Race. However a mid-season blip and a stuttering finish to the year with poor performances in Bermuda and then finally Malaysia have cost Richard dearly, leaving him in second place in the Championship.

Richard reflected: "Obviously it’s a huge disappointment to have finished second in the Championship, having been first all season. Ben has a very strong team and they really deserve to be World Champions. I was happy with our preparation for this event and we sailed a fantastic season, making the podium five times. It’s a year we can be really proud of."

"King" Ben and his crew are the kings of the world. Kuala Terengganu, 5 December 2010. Video copyright World Match Racing Tour

A stellar season
The tone for the stellar season was set back in April at Match Race France when the two Championship contenders locked horns in a tense final. It was the Frenchman who landed the first blow of the season, winning his home title and setting the early pace in the race for the Championship.
Richard continued his excellent form to build a formidable lead in the Championship. The Frenchman followed up victory in his home country with a third place at Match Race Germany before going on to land his second win of the year at the Korea Match Cup, beating Britain’s two-time World Champion Ian Williams, Team GAC Pindar.

It was an impressive start, however the Championship is based on skippers’ five best Tour results, plus their Monsoon Cup points – so he needed to keep his momentum. It was at the next stage at the Portimao Portugal Match Cup that the Frenchman then showed his first signs of weakness with a poor result, managing only seventh.

It was this juncture that Ben Ainslie really upped his game started his in a bid to realise his title ambitions. The Englishman made his intentions clear by beating former Tour Champion Jesper Radich in the final while Richard’s mid-season malaise continued with another seventh place.

As the Tour moved on to the stunning mountains of St Moritz, the Frenchman bounced right back to form, winning the event with a key victory over Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, while Ainslie had to settle for fourth. With Ainslie having lost ground in the mountains, his title hopes took a major body blow in Denmark when the Englishman suffered his worst result of the season with his own seventh place finish.

Ainslie’s mind may well have been elsewhere at the Danish Open as the event coincided with the deliberations as to whether his TEAMORIGIN would pull out of the running for the America’s Cup. However, having regained his focus, Ainslie hit straight back at the next regatta in Bermuda. Reflecting on that period of the Tour, Ainslie said: "Denmark was one of those events at which nothing seemed to work for us, but we’ve always liked Bermuda – both for the boats and the venue – and were looking forward to doing well there."

The island has been a happy hunting ground for the 33 year-old who won his second consecutive Argo Group Gold Cup to propel himself back into the reckoning with just the Monsoon Cup to go.

With the chips down and knowing that nothing but success would do Ainslie has once again proved why he is one of sailing's most decorated skippers. With the WMRT trophy joining the multitude of accolades in Ainslie's bulging trophy cabinet the Monsoon Cup brings down the curtain on another fantastic season for the World Match Racing Tour.

Final World Match Racing Tour Standings:
1. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 126
2. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 111
3. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 106
4. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 90
5. Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 87
6. Jesper Radich (DEN) Gaastra Racing Team 82
7. Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 65
8. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 60
9. Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team 45
10. Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge 29

Final Monsoon Cup placings:
1. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN
2. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
3. Jesper Radich (DEN) Gaastra Racing Team
4. Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team
5. Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar
6. Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra
7. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
8. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team

Ben Ainslie, brand new ISAF World Match Racing Champion

Ben Ainslie and TEAMORIGIN - Iain Percy, Christian Kamp, Matthew Cornwell and Mike Mottl showed world-class match racing skill in the tricky conditions presented by the Terengganu River this morning, to win the coveted 2010 title.

Having knocked Mathieu Richard out of the semifinals yesterday, Ainslie had the best possible chance of winning the Championship. His chances got even better when this morning, Richard was beaten 2-0 by Bruni in the 5-to-8 knockoffs and was renegaded to 8th place in the Monsoon Cup overall leaderboard.

All the British had to do was beat Björn Hansen in the semifinal and they did just that. They went on to take both races in a commanding way and advanced to the finals. Regardless of the outcome of the Monsoon Cup finals against Torvar Mirsky, Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy, Christian Kamp, Matthew Cornwell and Mike Mottl are the world's best match racing crew in 2010.

It's a pity we won't witness what could be a clash of titans in 2013 between Ben Ainslie and James Spithill at the 34th America's Cup.

Ainslie Beats Richard to Take a Step Closer to World Match Racing Champion Title

Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN took control of his battle for the ISAF Match Racing World Championship today by defeating his arch rival Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team in the Quarter-Finals of the Monsoon Cup, the final leg of the tour and is guaranteed to land the title if he goes on to win the regatta.

Ainslie picked the Frenchman for the Quarter-Finals to take his nearest rival for the championship out of contention at the earliest opportunity – a bold move given Richard held the advantage in head-to-heads this season. It was a well calculated risk though.

Ainslie was dominant at the start of their four races, however Richard was in no mood to concede. In the first race the Frenchman quickly closed the gap, but was on the give way port tack and had to duck behind the British skipper. However, in a classic and perfectly executed manoeuvre, Ainslie bore away by the maximum amount allowed by the rules, putting Richard firmly in his sights. The Frenchman didn’t respond and there was a mammoth collision, with the umpires ruling in Ainslie’s favour.

Richard continued to push hard, but couldn’t recover in that race and made an appalling start in the next, being over the line at the gun earning a red flag penalty for a second collision. Yet he maintained impressive composure to slowly claw back Ainslie’s advantage, then rolled past him on the first downwind leg and held the lead to the finish.

Highlights from day 4 of the Monsoon Cup. Kuala Terengganu, 4 December 2010. Video copyright World Match Racing Tout

With the match evenly poised, Ainslie started to turn the screws on Richard in the next two starts. Having gained the lead, he was able to control both races around the course, to win and progress to the Semi-Finals.

Ainslie cannot afford to rest on his laurels though. With Richard managing to squeeze into the Quarter-Finals yesterday by ousting defending champion Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, the Brit must now finish in either 1st or 2nd place in the Monsoon Cup, depending on how Richard performs in the play-off for 5th to 8th places.

“It was a big deal for us to knock Mathieu out and very important for the overall results for the championship. The conditions were really difficult but the team did a great job - we're very happy to have come through it. We still have a lot of work to do - the Semi-Finals are going to be another big battle, whoever we pick to race”, reflected Ainslie.

While Ainslie got his choice of opponent spot on, Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar will rue his pick. Having reached the Quarter-Finals with an impressive 10-1 scoreline, he opted for event wildcard Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team who, ironically, was the man to inflict the one defeat on the Englishman during the Qualifying Stages.

Williams continued his rich vein of form to take the first race, however it was a false dawn. Hansen rallied his team and within 5 minutes of the start of the second race, he was ahead and never looked back to level the scores. It gave the Swede the impetus he needed and the remaining two races looked almost a formality for him, finishing ahead by some margin in both.

Rising Australian star Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team, was the only other sailor starting the day with a chance of winning the World Championship and produced a masterful display to comprehensively defeat match racing legend Peter Gilmour 3-0, and keep alive his slim hopes of winning the title.

The pair took to the water with Gilmour holding a slight edge over Mirsky with an 8-7 career record. The first match was a tight as the record, with both skippers mustering all their experience to get the advantage. Almost level and both on starboard, Mirsky started to pull away and then stamped his authority on the race by tacking to cross Gilmour before tacking back onto Gilmour’s wind to effectively seal the win.

The photo of the day. Ben Ainslie and Mathieu Richard collide. Kuala Terengganu, 4 December 2010. Photo copyright SubZero Images / World Match Racing Tout

Flight 2 saw Gilmour try to get the upper hand in the dial up by rolling Mirsky to port but it was Mirsky who led Gilmour to the first mark, rounding it 2 lengths clear - a lead he held to the finish.

With Gilmour in desperate need of a win he got off to a strong start, but it was Mirsky who found better pressure on the first beat and rounded the mark 12 seconds ahead. Mirsky held the stronger current on the right hand side of the course extending his lead and take the victory.

The result leaves Mirsky relying on results to fall his way to capture his maiden World Championship. To stand any chance he must win the Monsoon Cup and hope that Richard finishes no higher than 8th and that Ainslie cannot do better than third.

Only one Quarter-Final match went to five races - Jesper Radich (DEN) Gaastra Racing Team vs Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra. In the deciding race they started at opposite ends of the line, with Radich at the buoy. It was the right place to be and the Dane had built an invincible lead by the time he reached the first mark.

Claims that this is the most enthralling climax to the ISAF Match Racing World Championship are proving well justified – this is the first time the race to become World Champion has gone down to the final day of the final event of the Tour.

Quarter-Final results:

Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 3
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 1

Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team 3
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 1

Jesper Radich (DEN) Gaastra Racing Team 3
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 2

Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 3
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 0

Monsoon Cup - Day 2: Ainslie scores decisive victory over Richard

Even under light conditions it's always a privilege to be onboard Team Origin's "Fab Five", Ben Ainslie, Iain Percy, Christian Kamp, Matthew Cornwell and Mike Motti. The British crew definitely creamed the French with a perfect start and a great first beat. Iain Percy saw the lefty coming and the British yacht hit the starting line on the pin end and with greater speed. The first beat saw Ben Ainslie's lead extend as Richard got caught on the right side of the course. Ainslie rounded the first weather mark clearly ahead and kept his advantage until the finish line. It definitely is a difficult day for Mathieu Richard.

Prestart of the race Ben Ainslie vs Mathieu Richard. Kuala Terengganu, 2 December 2010. Video copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Monsoon Cup - Day 1: Ian Williams shines while Mathieu Richard struggles

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar made an impressive start to his Monsoon Cup campaign by posting a 3-0 scoreline in the opening Qualifying Session in Kuala Terengganu whilst Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team did little to silence his rivals, losing both of his match races.

Richard, who has both defending champion, Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing and Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN breathing down his neck in the race for the championship, needed a strong start here in Malaysia. An early defeat to Ian Williams was followed by a match against Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team. Having picked up a penalty in the pre-start, Richard tried to wind it off at one of the mark roundings but forfeited his lead in doing so, allowing the Swedish skipper to take control of the race and finish 45 seconds ahead. It was a bad time to lose for the first time this season against the Swede.

Highlights from day 1 of the Monsoon Cup. Kuala Terengganu, 1 December 2010. Video copyright World Match Racing Tout

The Frenchman reflected: “Not the start we wanted at all today. We had two bad starts. In our first race again Ian Williams there was a shift before the start, so we suffered. Against Bjorn Hansen, he was sailing well today. We might have a strong record against Bjorn but he beat us today and that is the only result I care about. The only thing we can be sure of is that we must do much better tomorrow.”

Despite these defeats, the Frenchman will be buoyed by the mixed fortunes of his nearest rivals, with Minoprio losing to Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team and Ben Ainslie going down to the increasingly-impressive Phil Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing to take the polish off his two opening victories.

Ainslie was earlier involved in an epic battle against this season’s most consistent skipper, Jesper Radich (DEN) Gaastra Racing Team in what commentator PJ Montgomery deemed “match racing at its best.” Radich picked up a red flag penalty early in the race, allowing Ainslie to take what started to look like an unassailable lead. However, on the first run Radich got just ahead and when the two boats crossed the fireworks started. After two dial-downs in quick succession, Ainslie luffed Radich, pined a red-flag penalty on him and then held his lead to the finish.

Off the water, Terengganu Menteri Besar YAB Dato Seri Ahmad announced that discussions are already underway ensure the Monsoon Cup remains part of the World Match racing Tour beyond 2012. In what is already the richest event on the Tour, offering nearly $500,000 in prize money, Dato Seri Ahmad revealed that an increase in the prize purse is being considered:

“Obviously we want the Monsoon Cup to stay here beyond 2012. Perhaps we can offer more prize money if that will help us secure a longer contract. All the facilities are already in place and it will be a waste if we can’t extend the contract. The additional prize money will come out of the state’s budget as we want to keep the event in Terengganu as it has been a big boom for the state.”

Results after 3 Flights:
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 3-0
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 2-1
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team 2-0
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 1-0
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Team Azzurra 1-0
Keith Swinton (AUS) Black Swan Racing 1-0
Phil Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing 1-1
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 1-2
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing Team 0-1
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team
0-2Jesper Radich (DEN) Gaastra Racing Team 0-2
Jeremy Koo (MAL) Koo Racing Team Evernew 0-3

Valencia Sailing goes to the Monsoon Cup

There will most probably be no updates during Monday as I'm travelling to Kuala Terengganu for the Monsoon cup, the closing event of this year's World Match Racing Tour.

It will undoubtedly be the closest and fiercest event with five skippers vying for the ISAF World Match Racing champion title. Any of Mathieu Richard, Adam Minoprio, Ben Ainslie, Torvar Mirsky and Ian Williams can be crowned world champion next Sunday and all the variables and possible scenarios couldn't be better described than the excellent, succinct table below.

We'll be back in full force on Tuesday morning, Malaysian time, with photos, videos and interviews from the official practice day.

Video: Highlights from day 2 of the Sunseeker Australia Cup

Highlights from day 2 of the 2010 Sunseeker Autralia Cup. Perth, 25 November 2010. Video copyright Sunseeker Autralia Cup

Ben Ainslie and Torvar Mirsky dominate the round robin at Sunseeker Australia Cup

[Source: Sunseeker Australia Cup] Britain’s sailing superstar Ben Ainslie showed his class on the Swan River today, rising to the top of the leaderboard at the Sunseeker Australia Cup, to win the round robin stage of the regatta.

He won five straight races today, turning a fifth place at the end of day one, with a 3 – 2 scoreline, into first place with a scoreline of 7 – 2 this evening, sharing the top score with local skipper Torvar Mirsky, but taking the top spot on a tie-break.

Talking about his improved form Ainslie said, “that was a bit cleaner today, we had a little bit of rust yesterday, the guys were a bit tired having just flown in from Europe, but we felt a bit better today, and got things slightly smoother I think.”

Highlights from day 1 of the 2010 Sunseeker Autralia Cup. Perth, 24 November 2010. Video copyright Sunseeker Autralia Cup

Winning the round robin brings with it the privilege of choosing his quarter-finals opponent, and he has selected South African Ian Ainslie who finished fourth on the leaderboard.

One of the big areas of improvement for Ben Ainslie today was in his starting, generally getting off the line in control.

He commented, “it is difficult, because it’s so shifty, and with such a tight starting box, it really all happens in the last 30 seconds, but we pretty much got what we wanted in most of the starts.

“I guess they weren’t all perfect, they never normally are in match racing, but we ended up having control in most of the starts, and half way up the beat, but really on this course it’s so shifty it’s more about good speed, getting the shifts and good crew work when things are shifting around so quickly.”

It was Western Australian skipper Torvar Mirsky who defeated Ben Ainslie in the final of this event last year, so a repeat of this match in the final this year is still possible, no doubt with the British skipper hoping to reverse the result.

Another important game within a game being played out at this event is the fight for the last place available at next week’s Monsoon Cup, in Malaysia, the final and deciding regatta on this year’s World Tour.

The top placed skipper at the Sunseeker Australia Cup, who has not already qualified, will grab that slot.

Conditions on the Swan River’s Perth Water were very tough again today, with the seabreeze piping in at 15 to 20 knots, which on such a tight course is a real test of skill, fitness and agility.

The Sunseeker Australia Cup is hosted by the Royal Perth Yacht Club, and managed by Swan River Sailing.

RESULTS AT THE END OF THE ROUND ROBIN
1. Ben Ainslie (GBR) 7 – 2
2 Torvar Mirsky (AUS) 7 – 2
3. Ian Williams (GBR) 6 – 3
4. Iain Ainslie (RSA) 5 – 4
5. Keith Swinton (AUS) 5 – 4
6. Mathieu Richard (FRA) 5 – 4
7. Phil Robertson (NZL) 5 – 4
8. William Tiller (NZL) 3 – 6
9. Peter Nicholas (AUS) 2 – 7
10. Reuben Corbett (NZL) 0 – 9

Phil Robertson leads Sunseeker Australia Cup undefeated

[Source: Sunseeker Australia Cup] With skill and guile that belies his age, the young Kiwi skipper Phil Robertson manoeuvred his way through the first day of the Sunseeker Australia Cup undefeated in a field that would over awe considerably older skippers.

Most notable of the scalps he collected on the first day was last year’s winner Torvar Mirsky, the home-town boy who is currently fourth on the World Tour leader board, and hoping to capture the world title next week in Malaysia.

In other matches he downed fellow Kiwis Reuben Corbett and Will Tiller, who is one of his former crew, and another Perth skipper Peter Nicholas. Last week Robertson won the New Zealand Championships, one of the toughest national competitions on the planet.

Talking about the day’s action he said, “we’ve just come off our nationals, so the team is in pretty good shape, we’re just trying to improve on the small things now. I like the small race course here, it makes it that much more exciting, and it makes the pre-start that much more important, it’s good racing out there. I think in most of the races we came off pretty fair in the pre-start, which created a decent lead, but Torvar was definitely the hardest.”

Phil Robertson reports on day 1 of the Sunseeker Australia Cup. Perth, 24 November 2010. Video copyright Waka Racing

Behind Robertson the ladder is crowded with Frenchman Mathieu Richard, England’s Ian Williams and Torvar Mirsky all on a 3 – 2 score line.

Making up the top half of the leader board is British golden boy Ben Ainslie with three wins from five races.

The Swan River was at its best, with a healthy 15 to 18 knot seabreeze, and a cloudless sky. The Sunseeker Australia Cup is hosted by the Royal Perth Yacht Club and run by Swan River Sailing.

Results after day 1
1. Phil Robertson (NZL) 4 – 0
2= Mathieu Richard (FRA) 3 – 1
2= Ian Williams (GBR) 3 – 1
2= Torvar Mirsky (AUS) 3 – 1
5. Ben Ainslie (GBR) 3 – 2
6= Keith Swinton (AUS) 2 – 3
6= William Tiller (NZL) 2 – 3
8. Peter Nicholas (AUS) 1 – 4
9. Iain Ainslie (RSA) 0 – 2
10. Reuben Corbett (NZL) 0 – 4

Lights; Camera; Action; It's Sunseeker Australia Cup Time

[Source: Sunseeker Australia Cup] The superstars of sailing are here, the sun is shining and the fabled Fremantle Doctor is back from a week’s leave, bring on the Sunseeker Australia Cup 2010!

Sailing’s answer to Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Raffa are in town, Ben Ainslie and Ian Williams of Britain and Frenchman Mathieu Richard are the best in the world at what they do, race sailboats.

The skies over Perth are cloudless, and there is a strong wind warning for at least the next three days.

Compress these components into the confined space of Perth Water, right in front of the CBD, and you have a recipe for some serious action.

But it’s not all about the overseas “rock stars”, because last year Perth’s own up-and-coming world talent, Torvar Mirsky, beat the all these guys to collect the trophy, and it will take a crowbar to get it out of his hands.

There is also a trio of young Kiwis, bought up in the toughest match racing school on the planet, who have been making their mark on the world stage, these guys would love to win on Australian waters.

Throw in a South African and a couple of other talented locals, and the line up for the Sunseeker Australia Cup is red hot, and the Fremantle Doctor will only fan the flames.

Ben Ainslie, who has three Olympic golds and a silver, was the defeated finalist last year, beaten in two straight races by Torvar Mirsky, and defeat isn’t something that fits into his agenda, so expect a fight back.

Mathieu Richard has put in a big year on the International Tour, and has the world championship within his grasp, he will be looking to go into next week’s Monsoon Cup in Malaysia on a high, so a good performance in Perth is essential.

The Sunseeker Australia Cup will be four days of intense head-to-head competition that is too good to miss, hosted by the Royal Perth Yacht Club, it is managed by Swan River Sailing.

SKIPPERS
1. Mathieu Richard FRA
2. Ben Ainslie GBR
3. Torvar Mirsky AUS
4. Ian Williams GBR
5. Reuben Corbett NZL
6. Ian Ainslie RSA
7. Phil Robertson NZL
8. Keith Swinton AUS
9. William Tiller NZL
10. Peter Nicholas AUS

Ben Ainslie: Disappointing to be out of the Cup - Great to be back Finn Training

[Source: Ben Ainslie] The decision to pull TEAM ORIGIN out of entering and competing for the Americas Cup was obviously extremely disappointing. For some of us it has been three years of work, getting the team to a position where we had a strong core group to move forward, with enough talent and experience to have a realistic shot at winning. Personally, the biggest disappointment is losing the opportunity to work with such a strong group of people and despite the relative failure it has been a huge learning experience. The Cup is still a huge ambition of mine and the lessons learnt from this period will definitely be of use in future campaigns.

It was a bold move by BMW Oracle to move the America's Cup into the realm of multihulls with wing sails; I believe a large part of this decision was to do with the ongoing commercialisation in the sport of sailing. This is something that sailing, like other sports, is going through and whilst I fully accept the need to make our sport more spectator friendly and commercially viable, there is also a danger of taking away the essence of the true sporting challenge. There is a very fine balance between the two and I honestly hope the 34th America's Cup manages to develop great racing which encapsulates the media and sailing audience. It will be a new era for the Cup, it's vital that the teams involved are properly supported to give the event the credibility that it badly needs.



Obviously, not challenging for the America's Cup has made my life a lot simpler with regard to my goal of racing in the 2012 Olympics. Before we knew what the plans for the next Cup were, I had tentatively talked about Finn training in Southern Europe during this winter with the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta in late January probably my next event. However, the unexpected change means I'm now heading to Australia next week to train and compete at the Perth International Regatta in November as well as at Sail Melbourne in D ecember.

Great to be back Finn Training

I have always really enjoyed going back into the Olympic environment and trying to be successful in 2012 is very much my focus now. With my coach David Howlett and Mark Andrews we've had a few days' Finn training at Weymouth and Portland, which has been great. We've been trying out new bits of kit and just getting used to the boat again as I've not been in a Finn since Sail for Gold Regatta in early August. There is genuinely always something a bit special about sailing at Weymouth, knowing that every time you get out on the water you are picking up as much information as you can about the conditions and what is going on around you. Weymouth's always a difficult place to sail so the more time you can spend there the better. Saying that it is getting pretty cold now and I need to get out on the water as much as possible, so being able to spend a couple of months in the breeze in Australia is going to be the best way for me to get my hiking legs and sailing fitness back up to where it needs to be for the Finn.

My British teammates Ed Wright and Giles Scott have both sailed really well this season, with Ed winning the World title and Giles winning Skandia Sail for Gold. These two guys in particular are going to be really tough to beat but competition of that level gives you an extra focus. I have some hard yards ahead of me to get to the required levels of sailing and fitness but there is something satisfying about pushing yourself harder with an end goal in sight. I'm fortunate to have a great coach in David Howlett and some fantastic sponsors like J.P. Morgan Asset Management behind me, support like that makes a huge difference.

Retaining the Gold Cup

It was nice to go out to the World Match Racing Tour event in Bermuda and retain our Argo Gold Cup. The team was Iain Percy, Christian Kamp, James Stagg and myself. The regatta started just days after the TEAM ORIGIN announcement, which was pretty tough as we were all still pretty disappointed. I was really pleased with how we dealt with the frustration and although we didn't sail brilliantly in the early rounds we saved our best sailing for the final.

That victory also means we can still win this year's World Match Racing Tour. The final event is in Malaysia at the start of December and we will go there sitting third in the standings. We have an outside chance of coming out on top and will be pushing hard for a good result at our final event under the TEAM ORIGIN colours.

Ben Ainslie Rallies His Team to Victory in the Argo Group Gold Cup

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] Triple Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN put in a sublime performance to add a second Argo Group Gold Cup to his team’s trophy cabinet after a scintillating final against Jesper Radich (DEN) Gaastra Racing Team in Stage 8 of the World Match Racing Tour.

The final had all the hallmarks of a classic with Radich showing consistently good form throughout the week with 12 wins out of 13, while Ainslie and his crew had been gaining momentum day by day. For added spice, Radich was seeking retribution for his final defeat at the hands of Ainslie in stage 5 of the Tour – Stena Match Cup Sweden.

In the first race, having eye-balled each other on the start line waiting for one another to flinch, both skippers breathed down each other’s necks on the first run. Having rounded the leeward mark, they soon came together once more with Ainslie dialing down to duck below Radich’s stern. The Dane then held a tiny advantage approaching the second windward mark on port tack to clear just inches ahead of Ainslie and re-take the lead, which he held to the finish.

The world's best match racer? Hamilton, 10 October 2010. Photo copyright Subzero Images/ World Match Racing Tour

Ainslie had a tantalizing wait to get his revenge, as dozens of Optimists flocked onto the race course for the RenRe Junior Gold Cup final, featuring young sailors from each of the competitor nations at the Argo Group Gold Cup. He used it to good effect though, as Ainslie rallied his team to take full advantage of the 10-12 knot breeze in his next race.

Having masterfully controlled Radich in the pre-start, Ainslie was a nose ahead at their first cross, which he held to round the windward mark in pole position. With his trusted tactician, Iain Percy at his side, the Briton switched to protect the right hand side of the course on the second beat. It paid off as their boat picked up a left-hand wind shift to take an unassailable lead to the finish.

The umpires worked at a frenetic rate in match 3, as Ainslie and Radich repeatedly crossed tacks, resulting in contact and a penalty for Radich. After a thrilling rounding of the windward mark, Radich threw in a dummy gybe, then followed it with a full gybe, hoping to cross ahead of Ainslie. Unfortuantely for the Danes, it forced Ainslie to change course handing Radich a red flag immediate penalty and effectively a second victory to Ainslie.

The excitement builds

It was do-or-die now for Radich if he wanted to take the Gold Cup and a US$50,000 winner’s cheque home. Ainslie himself knew that for his ISAF Match Racing World Championship ambitions, a win in Bermuda would leave him only two points behind second-placed Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/Black Match Racing and 17 adrift of current Tour leader, Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team going into the Monsoon Cup finale in Malaysia.

Radich had the nose on Ainslie as they approached the first mark, a lead which the Brit tried to take by sticking his bow inside Radich’s boat in an attempt to round first. It was an overzealous move that collected him a penalty. The spectators, who by now had formed an armada of vessels within Hamilton Harbour, could sense the tension as the two teams, watched closely by the umpires, went toe-to-toe: a dramatic luff saw both spinnakers flogging and a penalty against Radich that leveled the score. A double gybe and another huge luff from Radich raised blue and yellow flags, indicating both boats had infringed the rules. The next penalty was against Radich for sailing Ainslie past the layline to the leeward mark. Then, with Ainslie luffing hard, Radich took a final blow, picking up a further penalty that gave Ainslie a big enough cushion to effectively enjoy a victory lap of the course.

Reflecting on his triumph, Ainslie said: “We made it hard for ourselves and had a battle all the way through but maybe what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. We had fantastic racing against Jesper – it was classic stuff, as good as match racing ever gets.”

Radich was modest in defeat: “It was fantastic to be in the final with ideal conditions today. I’m really happy to have been able to put up a strong fight against Ben’s team – at the moment, they are the best match racing team in the world.”

The focus on the sailing world now turns to the final event of the World Match Racing Tour, the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia. The outlook has become bleaker for Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team and Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar sponsored by Argo Group. They are now 29 and 33 points behind overall leader Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team respectively, with their fate lying in the hands of Richard, Ainslie and Minoprio. Richard will no doubt be pleased that his overall lead remains intact, with Minoprio only closing the gap by two points. After a challenging week Ainslie’s team will have been buoyed by their emphatic victory in Bermuda and the opportunity to take the overall Match Racing World Champion title in Malaysia.

Overall Results at the Argo Group Gold Cup
1. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 25 Points
2. Jesper Radich (DEN) Gaastra Racing Team 20 Points
3. Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team 15 Points
4. Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Racing Team 12 Points
5. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 10 Points
6. Taylor Canfield (USA) 8 Points
7. Reuben Corbett (NZL) Black Sheep Racing 6 Points
8. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 4 Points

2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour Standings
(After Stage 8 of 9)
1. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 105 Points
2. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 90 Points
3. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 88 Points
5. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 76 Points
5. Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar sponsored by Argo Group 72 Points
6. Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team 60 Points
7. Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 53 Points
8. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 51 Points
9. Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team 33 Points
10. Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Sigma Racing Team 29 Points

Ainslie and Radich Set to Clash in Final of Argo Group Gold Cup

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] The stage is all set for a fitting finale to the eighth stage of the 2010 World Match Racing Tour, with Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN and Jesper Radich (DEN) Gaastra Racing Team set to go head-to-head in a repeat of the final of the Stena Match Cup Sweden earlier in the 2010 World Match Racing Tour.

Both skippers stormed to victory in their first two semi-final matches, leaving Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Racing Team and Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team with an immediate battle to survive the first to three points knock-out round. Monnin and Berntsson fought back in style, however, with Monnin taking the advantage at the start of his next match, set-up nicely to windward of Radich, to take a two-length lead. However, on the first run Radich closed the gap and completed a double gybe manoeuvre to establish luffing rights, pin a penalty on the Swiss skipper and sail him well past the layline to the leeward mark.

Highlights from the Quarterfinals and Semifinals of the Argo Group Gold Cup. Hamilton, 9 October 2010. Video copyright World Match Racing Tour

On the next beat Radich failed to keep clear of a boat in the other semi-final match, collecting a penalty himself and handing Monnin a second chance. However, Radich maintained his lead to finish five to six lengths ahead and complete his semi-final round with a clean 3-0 score. “This is my third final this season out of three events. It will be a re-match of the Stena Match Cup Sweden, a final which I’m not proud of so we’ve got a second chance. I’m sure we can give Ben a really good fight this time.”

Ainslie, the 2009 Argo Group Gold Cup champion had an even bumpier ride to the final – his clash with Berntsson, the winner in 2008, was only just heating up. The two skippers started their third match with a huge scrap for the buoy end of the line, a position won by the Swedish team. By the time they reached the windward mark it was clear why both skippers had been so keen to control the left-hand side of the course. Having benefited from stronger winds and favourable shifts, Berntsson now enjoyed a substantial lead that Ainslie was never able to threaten.

Spectators couldn’t fail to hear the hefty collision as Berntsson tried but failed to cross behind Ainslie 60 seconds before the start of their fourth match. The boats came together again within 30 seconds as the Swede tried to pin a penalty on Ainslie. A tense few seconds followed while the on-water umpires debated their call. When they finally reached for a flag it was a second penalty for Berntsson. However, that wasn’t the end of the Berntsson’s woes – at the start gun he was over the line and by the time he had returned and completed the first of his penalties Ainslie was more than six lengths ahead.

With the race course peppered with gusts and light patches of wind, the British skipper sailed a tactically conservative race, keeping a loose cover on Berntsson. On the final run Ainslie sailed into a hole, enabling Berntsson to power forward to close his deficit to just two lengths. However it wasn’t enough and Ainslie took the winner’s flag for a third time.

Ainslie is now assured of moving up into third place on the World Match Race Tour standings, placing him firmly back in contention for the overall ISAF Match Racing World Championship title at the Monsoon Cup. Radich will no doubt be a force to contend with in Malaysia – having secured at least a top 2 result in Bermuda he moves up to 6th place in the Tour standings , earning an automatic invite for the last event of the World Match Racing Tour.

Minoprio, Ainslie and Williams Face Survival Challenge in Bermuda

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORGIN and Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar sponsored by Argo Group all face a restless night with the knowledge that at least one of them will be a casualty tomorrow in the final Qualifying Session at the Argo Group Gold Cup. It will cap a remarkable few days in Bermuda, which also saw overall World Match Racing Tour leader Mathieu Richard ultimately knocked out of the competition by Jesper Radich (DEN) Gaastra Racing Team.

In contrast to the 10-18 knot winds of the previous two days, today required sailors to adopt an altogether different skill set to deal with a very fickle and incredibly light wind. The reigning champion, Adam Minoprio has a second chance to qualify tomorrow for the Quarter-Finals having failed to qualify directly however he faces formidable competition – this group of six teams includes four of the top 10 names in the ISAF Match Racing Rankings. Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team, Minoprio, Williams and Ainslie, are also joined by Alvaro Marinho (POR) Seth Sailing Team (ranked 15), and Phil Robertson (NZL) Waka Racing (ranked 21).

Highlights from day 3 of the Argo Group Gold Cup. Hamilton, 7 October 2010. Video copyright World Match Racing Tour

Competitors were not alone in finding the fickle conditions frustrating – PRO David Campbell-James was in a no-win situation, but did a great job with what he had: “It was a 360-degree day, with the wind swinging right round the compass as the day progressed.”

Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team, one of the six skippers to qualify directly for the Quarter-Finals, reflected: “It was important for us to beat Marinho in Qualifying Session 3. We feel really confident about this week – we’re sailing well have yet to make a tactical mistake. It’s our fourth time here and we have similar boats at home so we are benefiting from having been able to practice there.”

Minoprio, Williams and Ainslie will take some comfort into tomorrow knowing they each won their first races in the Qualifying Play-Off however their toughest matches will come tomorrow. The morning will see a return of 12-18 knots of breeze but with tropical storm Otto heading towards Bermuda, the wind is expected to increase considerably later on, giving skippers in the Quarter-Finals an extra challenge with which to contend.

Quarter Finalists
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 6-0
Jesper Radich (DEN) Gaastra Racing Team 6-1
Taylor Canfield (USA) 6-1
Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Racing Team 5-1
Johnnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team 5-1
Reuben Corbett (NZL) Black Sheep Racing 4-2

Qualifying Session Play-Off Standings
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 1-0
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 1-0
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar sponsored by Argo Group 1-0
Alvaro Marinho (POR) Seth Sailing Team 0-1
Phil Robertson (NZL) Waka Racing 0-1
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Racing Team 0-1

Torvar Mirsky is on fire, moving to the qualifiers undefeated. Hamilton, 7 October 2010. Photo copyright Subzero Images / World Match Racing Tour

Battle For World Match Racing Tour Championship Hots Up

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] The world’s leading sailors will be fighting for precious points at The Argo Group Gold Cup in Bermuda, with next week’s match race representing the last chance saloon for skippers to move up the leaderboard ahead of the the ISAF World Match Racing Tour’s season ending finale - The Monsoon Cup in December. Racing for the Argo Group Gold Cup starts October 5 and concludes October 11 at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

The Argo Group Gold Cup is the eighth event of the WMRT season and invites to the final Tour event, the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia, are only guaranteed to the top six teams in the year’s points table. With both the Tour Championship and the ISAF Match Racing Championship that rides with it still hanging in the balance the battle for points in Bermuda this year is sure to be even more fierce than usual.

At the top of the WMRT leader board France’s Matthieu Richard (French Match Racing Team) has seen his mid-season lead cut to just 27 points with reigning champion Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing breathing down his neck, while two time World Champion Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar and Australia’s Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team are still within striking distance.

All four teams are set to lock horns in Bermuda as they scrap for vital points but will have to overcome the challenge of defending Champion Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN if they want to take the title. And given the unique 24-team format in Bermuda, they may suffer upsets in the early round robin and not even meet on the course.

All eyes will be on Richard to see if he can learn from his previous experiences and avoid another late season meltdown. The Frenchman has led the series at the halfway point for the past two years but suffered dramatic collapses in both those seasons. While he has been the model of consistency this year, with five podium finishes in seven events, his position is by no means unassailable.

Fears of Richard’s vulnerability resurfaced again after his disastrous semi-final at the Danish Open earlier this month when he let slip a 2-0 lead against Mirsky. However Richard believes this year he has what it takes to go on claim his first world crown. He won the Gold Cup in 2007 and consistently races well in the classic International One Design (IOD) sloops sailed in Bermuda.

“We have done a lot of training with our sports psychologist and feel stronger from our experiences of the last few years,” said Richard who lost out to Minoprio in the Quarters in Bermuda last year. “We have trained a lot as a team and the fact we were able to take third in Denmark gives us confidence. We have good memories of Bermuda. Our first time at the event was in 2004 and was a one of the best experiences in my match racing career. We were against Russell Coutts in the quarter-finals, and although he went on to win the event for the seventh time, we won our first two races against him.”

Racing at the Argo Group Gold Cup takes place in the confined waters of the island’s Hamilton Harbour where sailors are always faced with fickle and shifty winds. Also experiencing these conditions will be some of the world’s best Opti sailors racing their finals of the Renaissance Re Junior Gold Cup. The young sailors from 17 countries will come in from the Great sound on Argo Group Gold Cup finals day, Sunday October 11, to follow in the wakes of their heroes and finish their regatta in the shadow of the Argo Group Gold Cup finals.

Video: Winning the America's Cup

CEO Grant Simmer, skipper Ben Ainslie and tactician Iain Percy tak about what winning the America's Cup for TEAMORIGIN means to them

Ben Ainslie: "A multihull with a wingmast clearly gives Oracle a massive design advantage"

Ben Ainslie, the triple Olympic medalist skippering Britain's America's Cup team Team Origin, frequently publishes very interesting posts in his personal blog. In the latest article, published today, Ainslie talks extensively about his latest Finn regatta at Skandia Sail for Gold but also makes interesting comments on Team Origin, in particular regarding the America's Cup, the TP52 campaign and the World Match Racing Tour.

As far as the America's Cup is concerned, Ainslie comments on the type of boat that will be chosen by BMW Oracle, suggesting that a multihull with a wingmast will "clearly" give the Defender a "massive design advantage" over the other teams. We'll have to wait until next Monday for the official announcement by Russell Coutts.

"There is still a lot of TEAMORIGIN racing to be done and America's Cup discussions to be had. As it stands the suggestion is that BMW Oracle are still very keen to proceed with a multihull for the next Cup and we have concerns with that, as not only is there a question mark over how good multihulls are for match racing but also going with a multihull with a wingmast clearly gives Oracle a massive design advantage over the rest of us.

The channels of communication are still open with BMW Oracle and we had some dialogue during the 1851 Cup at Cowes Week, which was a great event and saw some fantastic racing between the two teams. There will be an announcement on the 13th of September as to the class of boat, date and rules for the next event. This announcement is eagerly awaited by all involved. Russell Coutts and BMW Oracle have talked at length about improving the sport and taking the America's Cup into an exciting future, let's hope these changes are good for the sport on and off the water.

The TP52 regatta in Cartagena last month was acceptable for the Birtish team that, despite the disastrous gear failure in the coastal race, finished third and are still in the hunt for a podium spot in the circuit.

The other racing for TEAMORIGIN is the TP52 Audi Med Cup and the World Match Racing Tour. We have just completed two back to back regattas with the TP52 in Cartagena, Spain and the World Match Racing Tour in St Moritz, Switzerland.

Cartagena was a better event for us in the TP, we have struggled all season to find our grove in learning the boat and the fleet. We had a very disappointing coastal race where our forestay ram broke down and resigned us to last place in this high scoring race. We came back okay on the final day to finish third overall and be in the hunt for a top three finish for the season's standings. Team New Zealand continues to be the stand out boat in this class, sailing with good boat speed in most conditions and smart tactics.

Finally, Ainslie is disappointed with his performance in last week's St. Moritz Match Race. He's aiming at winning this year's ISAF World Match Racing Championship but he's only competing in half of the Tour's nine events, so even a third place can prove costly.

St Moritz ended in disappointment after losing the semi finals and third place sail offs. In both races we were close to the opposition, with a penalty on them, but were unable to keep the race close enough to win. It was a frustrating way to end what had been a fun week and a fourth place finish, while not being a disaster, is not going to be good enough if we want to be in contention to win the tour. We are only competing in half of the tour and so every event for us is a counter. Sailing in St Moritz is a unique experience as the lake is very small and surrounded by mountains at 1800 meters above sea level. The air is thin and the wind incredibly shifty, apart from that it's the most stunning scenery anywhere in the World.

Next up is the Danish Open Match Race. Hopefully we can turn things around from Switzerland and sail better at sea level.

A Touch of Luck Defines Day 4 of The St. Moritz Match Race

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] On a frustrating day for the six teams battling to reach the semi-finals of the St. Moritz Match Race, perhaps the biggest fight was off the water between the gradient northerly wind and the thermally induced southerly, which left the racecourse peppered with monumental wind shifts, holes and gusts.

The weather has tested the skippers’ mettle all week and today it created a spectacular sporting moment that had the crowd holding its breath. It looked as if it was all over for reigning ‘King of the Mountain’ Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing in his match against Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team. Iehl, looking to build on a remarkable previous day, had what seemed like an insurmountable lead however he hit a hole and unfavourable wind shift just before the finish line. At the same time, Minoprio caught a big gust that he rode all the way to the end, storming past Ihel just two boat lengths from the finish. The King of the Mountains clearly controls the wind however it was a hollow victory: “Damien did a really good job extending his lead around the course. Then, when it was almost all over, he sailed into a hole and we sailed round him. I really don’t feel good about it, but we need the points.”

Video highlights from day 4 of the St. Moritz Match Race. St. Moritz, 4 September 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / WMRT

No skipper was given Minoprio’s luck, forcing them to relentlessly pursue every possible advantage. A pre-start incident between triple Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN and Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team saw the umpires find in favour of the British team, as Ainslie explains: “It was a 50-50 situation in which we had to keep clear when Hansen luffed us hard. It was a difficult decision for the jury as to whether he had been too aggressive, or whether our response was too slow. Luckily they decided in our favour.”

Next up was a French derby between Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team against Bertrand Pacé (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team. There was no love lost though as Richard tried to pin Pacé outside the line at the start. In a super-close rounding of the second mark, Richard had the favoured inside line, while Pacé collected a penalty for failing to give him space giving Richard the advantage which he held to the finish.

In what proved to be the final chapter of the day, Ainslie held a big lead over Hansen when a wind shift of such magnitude made it difficult for Hansen to hold the spinnaker. Despite vehement protest from Hansen’s team, the race was not abandoned giving Ainslie a second and decisive win to join Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar in the semi-finals.

Ben Aisnlie cruises to the semifinals. St. Moritz, 4 September 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / WMRT


The battle between the two wind systems continued through the afternoon, and despite supreme efforts by the race committee, racing eventually had to be abandoned for the day. The remaining quarter-final races to decide the two teams that will face Ainslie and Williams in the semi-finals, will take place at 1000 local time tomorrow morning.

Quarter-final results at the St. Moritz Match Race:
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar: goes straight to semi-final
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAM ORIGIN: 2
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team: 1
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing: 1
Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team: 0
Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team: 0
Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team: 0

All To Play For At The St. Moritz Match Race

[Source: World MAtch Racing Tour] The opening day of racing at the St. Moritz Match Race dawned bright but cold, with the surface of the lake covered in a thin layer of picturesque mist. However, the tranquil setting belied the intensity of racing that was to come most notably between the British and French teams.

The first start saw double ISAF Match Racing World Champion Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar pitched against local sailor Jérôme Clerc (SUI) Team CER Genève, who gained a wildcard invitation to the event. The young Swiss sailor proved from the outset that he has the talent to mix with sailing's biggest stars, taking the lead just after the start and holding it until tantalisingly close to the finish.

Clerc was next up against Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN. Approaching the first windward mark, Clerc held a small advantage slightly to windward of the British boat, but Ainslie pulled just far enough forward to slip above the Swiss skipper in a deft manoeuvre that cleared his way to round the mark first.
Clerc commented: "It was a lot of fun today - we're not really favourites, but we are really happy to be in contact with them and playing with them."

Adam Minoprio leads St Moritz Match Race 2010 after day one. St Moritz, 1 September 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / WMRT

Ainslie's fight with Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team saw the event's first piece of red-hot anger, including a collision, much shouting between the two teams, and a rapid succession of penalties even before the start gun was fired. With a red flag penalty - to be taken immediately - Iehl's race was effectively over at the start.

The Brits went on to dominate the first part of the day's racing, with both teams winning all their races, including Ainslie's match against current World Match Racing Tour leader Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team. "It's the start we wanted, even though we're a bit rusty having missed the last two events. The conditions were very tricky with 20-25 and even 30, degree windshifts and it was important to connect the gusts, especially downwind."

So what would happen when Ainslie and Williams went head-to-head? After close sparring in the pre-start, Williams held Ainslie out to the wrong side of the committee boat, winning the start by a length and a half. At the windward mark Williams misjudged his tack and collided with Ainslie, but maintained a tenuous lead. At the beginning of the final leg he had extended this to three-lengths, but still had a penalty turn to take before finishing - it was impossible to predict the result, until a gust allowed Williams to extend his lead 150m from the finish line.

Ian Williams,Team GAC Pindar, beats Ben Ainslie, TEAMORIGIN in the round robin of the St Moritz Match Race 2010. St Moritz, 1 September 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / WMRT

The French teams came to the fore in the final races of the day. Ainslie and Bertrand Pacé (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team were evenly positioned at the start, with Pacé at the left-hand end of the line. With the stronger gusts on the left-hand side of the course he quickly pulled out a small lead. Pacé, reflected: "Then we just tried to sail with the best wind, choosing the right side of the course and staying in phase with the wind shifts - it's easy to stay ahead of the other guy if you do that in these conditions."

The last race, between Mathieu Richard and Ian Williams, was also the closest. With 15 seconds to go the French skipper looked much too early, yet he found enough wriggle room to make a perfect start, much to the surprise of the spectator crowds. He led throughout the race by the tightest of margins - at the finish just one metre separated the two boats.

Richard, said: "The match with Williams was the most challenging for us today - it was so close all the way. We're very pleased with our results and the way we sailed, although we know we can still make small improvements."

It was also a good day for defending champion St. Moritz Match Race Champion, Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team, who top the rankings along with Williams at the end of day one, each of these skippers having won four races and lost one.

Results after Day 1 of the St. Moritz Match Race:
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing:4-1
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar: 4-1
Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team: 4-1
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN: 3-2
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team: 3-2
Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team: 3-2
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team: 2-3
Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team: 2-3
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra: 2-3
Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Racing Team: 2-3
Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team: 1-4
Jérôme Clerc (SUI) CER: 0-5