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.

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

Early Exit for Ainslie and Gilmour at Danish Open

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] Three time Olympic Gold medalist Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN and four time Match Racing World Champion Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing were among the big name casualties who were sent packing from the Danish Open today, effectively ending their dreams of winning the ISAF World Match Racing Tour Championship.

Both skippers were resigned to the fact that the Championship probably lies beyond their grasp having lost out on valuable points as reigning Champion Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, Tour leader Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing, Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team and Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra marched into the semi-finals which are set to be completed tomorrow morning.

With just three flights of qualifying remaining to be completed this morning and 7 skippers still in with a chance of making the semis there were always going to be some big names facing an early exit. Ainslie and Gilmour both went into the morning’s matches with a fighting chance of reaching the semis and faced up to each other in their opening match of the day.

Highlights from day 3 of the Danish Open. Bornholm, 11 September 2010. Video copyright WMRT

It was the experienced Gilmour who came out on top giving the Australian hope of making the semi-finals in Denmark for the second year in a row. However, both Gilmour and Ainslie lost their next matches dashing any chances they had of making it through to the knock out stages.

A disappointed Ainslie said, “In terms of the Tour and doing well we have to face that we’re probably out of it. We had a chance in all three of our races this morning but just couldn’t get into gear and get any speed. It’s been a really frustrating day but we have to take it on the chin. We’ll be at the Argo Group Gold Cup in Bermuda (Stage 8 of the WMRT) and have a good history there so will just have to see how we sit going into the final event in Malaysia. We love being on Tour and match racing is excellent for practicing our skills.”

Gilmour, who reached the semi-finals in Denmark last year said, ”We came into this morning thinking we’d need two wins out of three and when we won against Ben we had a real chance, but we let Mirsky off the hook in the next race. He had a penalty in the pre-race start and we gave a weak one back. It's very noticeable how the standard has improved on the Tour. It’s not so much at the top but more with the rest of the field. In the past you knew you were going to have a few easy matches before the knock out stages. Now every race is a battle.”

Minoprio topped the standings at the end of qualifying which gave him the right to choose his opponent for the semi-finals, opting to take on Italy’s Francesco Bruni, who had not been in action in the morning having completed his qualifying flights on Friday.

With two flights of the first to three point semi finals taking place this afternoon, with the remaining matches being staged tomorrow ahead of the final, Minoprio’s decision to take on Bruni appeared to pay off as he opened up a 2-0 lead. In the other semi-final Richard looked to increase his strangle hold on the championships as he opened up a 2-0 lead over Mirsky.

Speaking after the day’s racing Richard said, “It has been a very good week for us so far. In the past we’ve led the Championship at this stage and then fallen away. This time we are not thinking about our ranking. We are just taking each race one by one and focusing on racing. We have improved technically this season and have a lot more experience now. We’ve been together a long time and it all seems to be working well.”

Semi-final standings
Adam Minoprio leads Francesco Bruni 2-0
Mathieu Richard leads Torvar Mirsky 2-0

Standings at the end of qualifying for Danish Open
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 9-2
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 9-2
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 8-3
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 8-3
Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team 6-5
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 6-5
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 5-6
Bertrand Pacé (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team 5-6
Mads Ebler (DEN) Ebler Matchracing 4-7
William Tiller (NZL) Full Metal Jacket Racing 4-7
Suzanne Ward (DEN) Team Ward 1-10
Michael Buckley (USA) MB Sailing 1-10

Mathieu Richard Wins the 'King of the Mountain' Title in Spectacular Style

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team won the 'King of the Mountain' title today in spectacular style, taking a huge stride towards his quest to become the 2010 ISAF Match Racing World Champion.

Having toyed with the teams all week at the St. Moritz Match Race, it was on the final day that the Maloja wind truly kicked in, bringing with it a supreme display of match racing for which the ISAF World Match Racing Tour is renowned. Richard, despite not always being on top of his game throughout the week, knuckled down when it mattered most, grinding out a series of hard-fought victories against his nearest rivals today.

When the two British skippers, triple Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN and double ISAF Match Racing World Champion Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar won their first semi-final matches, the prospects looked good for an all-British final. However, Richard had no intention of playing second fiddle and led Ainslie all the way round the course in their next race to level the score.

Highlights from the closing day of the St. Moritz Match Race. St. Moritz, 5 September 2010. Video copyright WMRT

It was standing room only in the packed grandstands and with everything hanging on the final race of both semi-final matches, the crowds of spectators were in for a treat. A dogfight before each of the starts characterized the races. With a penalty to his name in his deciding semi-final battle against Ainslie, it appeared Richard's only option as they approached the final mark was a brutal one - to pin a penalty on Ainslie. Fortunately for Richard, his Blu26 found a gust, giving him enough time to complete his penalty turn and dispense with the Brit.

Meanwhile, in the Williams vs Minoprio bout Williams took the first match, but Minoprio responded in the second with a move at the windward mark, where Williams collected two penalties in rapid succession, allowing Minoprio to take a decisive victory. Williams though regained his composure for the final race of his dual with the New Zealander, with just enough control over Minoprio to maintain a slim lead to the finish and a place in the final.

The scene was set for a fitting British-French finale, with the title going to the first team to win two races. This was sailing's version of 'Le Crunch'. At times, both played underdog, exchanging glances and penalties. It was one all after two races and in the deciding race, it seemed only right that the wind, so unpredictable and challenging all week, should have the final say. Richard, playing a string of gusts and shifts to perfection, pulling five lengths clear, a lead he maintained to take the 'King of the Mountain' crown and CHF36,000 in prize money.

Mathieu Ricahrd is the brand new "King of the Mountain". St. Moritz, 5 September 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / WMRT

Richard, reflected: "I wasn't happy after losing the first race against Ian in the finals. I was too excited, made mistakes and didn't have a positive feeling. So, we picked ourselves up, changed our mood and took the match to them. We go to Denmark with a healthy lead however we know there is still all to play for. For now though, we're overjoyed."

As the Tour heads to the island of Bornholm, Denmark, next week, it is possible that the next few weeks will determine not just the outcome of this year's World Match Racing Tour but also shape the future of match racing with the America's Cup announcements that have been a hot topic all week in St. Moritz. Whatever the outcome, Richard and his rivals will remain focused on their endeavours to take the World Match Racing Tour title.

Overall Standings the 2010 St. Moritz Match Race:
Skipper/Teams Points
1 Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 25
2 Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 20
3 Adam Minoprio (NZL) BlackMatch Racing 15
4 Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 12
5 Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team 10
6 Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team 8
7 Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 6
8 Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 4
9 Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
10 Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Race Team
11 Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team
12 Jerome Clerc (SUI) Team CER Geneve

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

Testing Conditions At St. Moritz Match Race Set To Challenge Tour Leaders And Wildcard Qualifiers

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] The race village at the Segel-Club St. Moritz was buzzing today, with 12 world-class sailing teams making their final preparations for a week of fierce head-to-head competition in the St. Moritz Match Race, the sixth stage of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour Championship.

After a light dusting of snow on the hills above the lake overnight, St. Moritz sparkled in the morning sun. However, the unseasonably cold weather meant the trademark Maloja wind was absent today, leaving sailors to contend with an erratic and chilling northerly breeze. This was light and fitful at the start of the competitors’ registration and weigh-in session, but built to a useful 10-15 knots for the first practice session.

With the Maloja not expected to be fully active for a few days, the challenge of making the most of the shifty winds is uppermost in the minds of many skippers.

Mathieu Richard, current WMRT leader, trains under cold and tricky conditions for the St Moritz Match Race 2010. St Moritz, 31 August 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman/Subzero Images

Johnie Berntsson (SWE), Berntsson Sailing Team, commented: “This is the second time for us here – it’s a stunning venue and we’re looking forward to it. The shifty winds make it a very challenging place for us, but we are used to that from our home waters near Gothenburg.”

One skipper who is not so worried about the tricky conditions, however, is Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Racing Team. Switzerland’s best match race helmsman, Monnin is currently ranked 26th in the world and has competed at every St. Moritz Match Race. He stepped ashore after today’s practice session relaxed and smiling, saying:

“We like sailing at our home event. We know the boats and we know we can do well in the shifty conditions – it’s what we’re used to. We do as many of the WMRT events as we can – it’s always great to sail against these people.

“The standard of racing is increasing over time, with dedicated teams having a chance of winning against the America’s Cup sailors. There were coaches on many of the boats today – you didn’t see that here five years ago.”

Ben Ainslie trains under cold and tricky conditions for the St Moritz Match Race 2010. St Moritz, 31 August 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman/Subzero Images

The WMRT is well established as a pathway to stardom for sailors. Jérôme Clerc (SUI) Team CER Genève is an up and coming Swiss sailor, with the distinction of being the second amateur team in this year’s Tour de France a la Voile. The St Moritz Match Race will be Clerc’s first ISAF Grade WC event, having been awarded a wildcard entry after finishing second in the Qualifier Event 2010 Volvo Match Race, Zug.

Clerc added: “This is a very big challenge for us – we’ve been match racing during the winter for training, but this is our first time with the Tour. It’s a great pleasure to be able to race against the big sailing stars we’ve seen on TV. Match racing is perfect for improving our manoeuvres and crew communication – the courses are very short, so you must be very precise.”

Tomorrow morning will see Clerc pitched straight into one-on-one battles with three of the biggest names in the sailing world, starting with double ISAF World Match Racing Champion Ian Williams (GBR), Team GAC Pindar. In his next race the young Swiss sailor will face Mathieu Richard (FRA), French Match Racing Team, who’s currently at the top of the Tour rankings. Clerc will then go head-to-head against triple Olympic gold medallist and America’s Cup skipper Ben Ainslie (GBR), TEAMORIGIN.

Video: Highlights from Day 1 of the Stena Match Cup Sweden

Highlights from Day 1 of the Stena Match Cup Sweden. Marstrand, 6 July 2010. Video copyright World Match Racing Tour

Richard and Williams lead Stena Match Cup Sweden unbeaten

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] The wind switched on early for day one of Stena Match Cup Sweden. The 16 teams were separated into Groups A and B with flights concentrated into one morning race session. Five fast flights were completed in a stable 15 knots with stand out scores from Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team and Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar on a clean 4-0.

Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team and Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team are next up at a respectable 3-1. The Swedish contingent experienced a brutal day afloat, both Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team and Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team are yet to score having lost all four of their races to date. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN and Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra are tied at 2-2. While Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing and Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing are both in a precarious position testing their fans nerves currently in cliff hanger spots at 1-3 which could see either of these Tour card holders leave Stage 5 earlier than anticipated.

Great start for Mathieu Richard with four straight wins. Marstrand, 6 July 2010. Photo copryight Loris von Siebenthal - myimage

Williams smiled his way back to the dock and ran through his final match of the day where he slammed a win over Gilmour, “We actually lost 3 out of 4 starts and in the last match against Gilmour we were behind up the first beat, he got good pressure out of the left to get ahead of us. I guess with Gillie having done well on the left we thought we would give it a try on that side and it came out well for us, we managed to get back into him and get a piece of him on port and then they put a leebow tack in onto port underneath us and we were then able to lift to windward. We got very close to the windward mark and he did a big luff and then we did a couple more luffs. When we eventually peeled away we did a slightly nicer job of the speed build and managed to cross him on port when we came back together at the top mark. We were then in the lead and defended from there”.

Ian Williams also caused some ructions in his match against Ainslie where he snuck past the triple Olympic gold medalist who finished in bottom position at Stena Match Cup Sweden last year. A bad spinnaker drop from Ainslie’s team allowed Williams to sail around the outside as they exited the mark which forced Ainslie to tack away. TEAMORIGIN Bowman Matt Cornwell then spent much of the second beat untangling the spinnaker. Ainslie commented on his equipment malfunctions today, “We had a couple of problems with the boat, the jib halyard wasn’t holding upwind and then we had an issue with the spinnaker at the bottom mark in the match against Ian which was a bit to do with the halyards and also user error. It was a frustrating race because we had a nice lead over him and we should win those but it happens sometimes”.

Ian Williams prevailed over Ben Ainslie and is now leading Group B with four straight wins. Marstrand, 6 July 2010. Photo copryight Loris von Siebenthal - myimage

A fatigued Richard, who is currently 17 points clear of Minoprio, on the World Match Racing Tour Championship leaderboard, commented after racing, “I don’t know if this will be another big points scoring event for my team yet because today it is just the beginning and in match racing the beginning is not as important as the end of the event. But it is always good to start well because with this format you need points at the start if you want to go through to the quarters. It will be tough for Minoprio I think for instance and this is why it is good to start well as there are only 4 spots in our group for the quarter finals”.

Bruni who has been in back to back match racing events since the start of the season thought that he hadn’t quite peaked in the performance stakes yet this week, “So far Sweden has been pretty good for us, we are on 2-2 so can’t complain. We had good starts out there but we missed a point against Richard due to a mistake from my side letting him get to the right of us, after which he managed to get a penalty on us. Apart from that it was good we always had good leads at the start. For this event we all want Richard to not be in the top 4 but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to play against him at all. It’s just a pity that we wasted a point against him in Portugal, but there is nothing we can do now, we have to move forward”.

The round robin stage at Stena Match Cup Sweden is considerably more pressurized than at previous Tour events. In each group of 8 teams only 4 will go through to the quarters resulting in seriously ramped up aggression in all the Swedish matches to date.

If only the French football team was as good as the French match racers in Match Cup Sweden. Damien Iehls beats Adam Minoprio and is second in Group A. Marstrand, 6 July 2010. Photo copryight Loris von Siebenthal - myimage

Day 1: Current Round Robin Standings

Group A
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 4-0
Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 3-1
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 2-2
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 1-3
Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team 0-4
Mattias Rahm (SWE) Stena Bulk Sailing Team 0-0
Staffan Lindberg (FIN) Alandia Sailing Team 0-0
Reuben Corbett (NZL) Black Sheep Racing 0-0

Group B
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 4-0
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 3-1
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 2-2
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 1-3
Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team 0-4
Keith Swinton (AUS) Black Swan Racing 0-0
Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Sigma Racing Team 0-0
Jesper Radich (DEN) Rudy Project Sailing Team 0-0

Mathieu Richard wins the 2010 Korea Match Cup

Going from strength to strength Mathieu Richard, the current leader of the ISAF World Match Racing Championship, prevailed over Britain's Ian Williams 3-1 and claimed the 2010 Korea Match Cup. "Third time lucky" didn't apply to Williams today as he found an opponent that mastered the light and shifty conditions off Jeongok Marina, and in particular the timing of the starts.

Mathieu Richard has now extended his lead in the World Match Racing Tour standings with 65 points, followed by Adam Minoprio on 39 points and Ian Williams on 30 points.

In the petit final, Sweden's Bjorn Hansen had no problem taking on Torvar Mirsky 2-0 and grabbing third place overall in the 2010 Korea Match Cup.

Race 1: It was a painstakingly slow race with a breeze that probably never passed the 4-knot barrier. First blood went to Ian Williams but it wasn't without pain. He got off the starting line with a clearly faster pace a couple of boatlengths ahead of Richard but the French found that slight puff on the right during the first beat and rounded the top mark ahead. Yet, the very light breeze played out in favor of Williams who regained the lead in the first run and held it until the finish line.

Mathieu Richard, the 2010 Korea Match Cup winner. Jeogonk Marina, 13 June 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Race 2: Mathieu Richard started the second race on a better foot as he managed to force a penalty on Williams just 30 seconds after the entry for a port-starboard incident. In addition, the French hit the starting line on much better pace, ahead of Williams that stayed very close, yet unable to close the gap with the French, let alone force a penalty on him or offload his and get ahead.

Race 3: Richard went from strength to strength and took the third race. Although the prestart was absolutely eventless, Richard had his timing on the spot while Williams gybed and stalled half a minute before the start in order to avoid being early. Richard was ahead by a boatlength on the pin end of the starting line and head all the way to the left, getting as close as possible to the exclusion zone. With just one tack in the first beat, Richard rounded the first weather mark half a minute ahead of Williams. The breeze had gotten a bit stronger and steadier and as a result, Williams couldn't count on its whims to find a passing opportunity. Richard kept his half-minute lead almost through the entire race.

Race 4: In the fourth race it seemed we were in the middle of the "Groundhog Day", reliving the action that took place 20 minutes ago. Once again, Richard was perfect in his timing and, once again, Williams missed his. Richard crossed the starting line on the pin end, two boatlengths ahead of Williams and again head to the left, rounding the top mark ahead. Not only did Mathieu held on to its lead in the 1st run, he saw the right shift coming in the 2nd beat, took advantage of it and stretched his lead.

Ian Williams and Mathieu Richard advance to the Korea Match Cup finals

The semifinals of the 2010 Korea Match Cup have just been completed and Ian Williams and Mathieu Richard will now fight for the title after beating Bjorn Hansen and Torvar Mirsky, respectively. Both skippers advance to the finals with a 2-0 score but all 4 races were much harder than the scores would imply.

Conditions, especially in the first flight, were, unfortunately, extremely light, and as Richard stated it felt more like sailing on lake Geneva. The first flight started with a breeze around 2-3 knots while the second one was sailed under a slightly stronger seabreeze that built up to, probably, 6-7 knots. The very low tide and wrong wind direction, perpendicular to the narrow channel, in the first flight meant PRO Harold Bennet had to work hard but he pulled the proverbial rabbit out of the hat and finally made it.

Bjorn Hansen vs Ian Williams: The first semifinal race between Hansen and Williams got off under extremely light conditions, I doubt the breeze topped 4 knots. After a split start, Williams opted for the left while Hansen went right. As Hansen stated, under these conditions you might have one puff coming from the left then randomly another one from the right. According to the Swede, you needed some luck in order to win the race and it seems luck alternated. Williams was leading at the first weather mark, then trailing at the bottom mark, then regained his lead at the 2nd top mark and led until the finish line.

With the breeze slightly picking up to 6-7 knots, Williams showed that it is not luck but skills that eventually took him to the 2010 Korea Match Cup final. He had a great start, hitting the line on the pin end, ahead of Hansen, and opting for the left side of the course he comfortably led until the finish line.

Ian Williams leads Bjorn Hansen in the 2010 Korea Match Cup semifinal. Jeongok Marina, 13 June 2010. Photo copyright Gareth Cooke / SubZero images

Mathieu Richard vs Torvar Mirsky: The first race between the French match racing maestro and the young Australian star was probably the least exciting. Richard had an exceptional start and built an advantage of more than 4 boatlengths right off the starting line. Mirsky struggled to find anything that would allow him to close the gap and Richard crossed the finish line with a very comfortable lead.

The second race was by far more exciting with a handful of lead changes and a photo finish. Mirsky had an absolutely great start and squeezed Richard at the pin end. The young Australian was off the line at a good pace while his French opponent was stalled. Mirsky tacked and went to the right, apparently seeing something there, while Richard went to the left. Richard's call was right on the spot and a nice puff pushed him ahead, giving him the chance to get inside Mirsky at the top mark and round ahead of the Australian. In the first run, Mirsky again stuck to his strategy to stay on the right and got what he was looking for. The right paid and Mirsky rounded the bottom mark ahead. He managed to keep his lead in the 2nd beat and most of the last run. Nevertheless, it ain't over 'til it's over. Richard, despite an awful gybe, halfway the run, found another good puff on the left side of the course and passed Mirsky a couple of boatlengths before the finish line. It was a very close finish but Richard was ahead.

Mathieu Richard beats Torvar Mirsky and is a finalist in the 2010 Korea Match Cup. Jeongok Marina, 13 June 2010. Photo copyright Gareth Cooke / SubZero images

Williams, Richard, Hansen and Mirsky advance to the Korea Match Cup semis

To say that the 4th day of the 2010 Korea Match Cup was tough and testing would certainly be an understatement. Not only did the 8 quarter finalists had to face the usual shifty and puffy wind conditions off the Jeongok Marina, the 8 crews got soaked by the pouring rain for the best part of the day. Yet, there was close action aplenty, drama, comebacks and many flags flying.

Ian Williams was the first to advance to the semis, beating Pacé 3-0, Björn Hansen climbed from being down zero to beat Gilmour 3-2, Richard beat Bruni 3-2 after 5 intense races full of penalties while in the battle between the two young guns, Mirsky prevailed over Minoprio, sending the world's top-ranked match racer back home.

The semifinals and finals will take place on Sunday, closing day of the 2010 Korea Match Cup. Ian Williams picked Björn Hansen as his opponent, meaning that Mathieu Richard will have to face Torvar Mirsky.

My apologies for not having taken any pictures but it was really pouring, non-stop during the entire day!!

Ian Williams vs Bertrand Pacé: Williams showed he was in top form already in the first race. After a close prestart, Pacé crashed on Williams' yacht and got a penalty right on the start line for tacking too close. Although the French match racer rounded the weather mark ahead, Williams rolled over him in the first run and led until the finish line. In the second race, Williams had a great start on the pin end, going on the favored left side. He managed to maintain the lead, Pacé had some opportunities but was unable to close the gap.

If anyone had any doubts about Williams, he made sure they were dissipated in the third race. Pacé got off the start line in a stronger position and led the race until halfway down the final run, with Williams close behind. While the French had chosen to cross the finish line at the pin end, Williams had seen the committee boat bias and opted for the right, got ahead of Pacé and beat him by a second.

Ian Williams had no problems eliminating Bertrand Pacé. Jeongok Marina, 13 June 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / SubZero Images

Peter Gilmour vs Bjorn Hansen: The first race proved to be very tough for Hansen. He was handed a red flag at the start, so he had to immediately offload it but when executing it he got another one. From there it was an easy victory for Gilmour who stayed on top form in the second race, with a great start while Hansen blew his chances by being early over the line. There was little the Swede could do, Gilmour sailed smoothly, didn't make any dumb mistakes and kept the lead until the finish line.

While it seemed as an easy walk for Gilmour, Hansen was about to stage a formidable comeback, despite the penalties he received. In the third race, Hansen had a good start, stayed ahead but got a penalty in the run downwind for gybing too close to Gilmour. Still, Hansen stretched his lead and scored his first comeback point after offloading the penalty and crossing the line ahead of Gilmour. The fourth race was again about penalties but this time on Gilmour. The Australian got another one in the prestart on a port-starboard incident, handing the race over to Hansen. Gilmour got another penalty in the prestart of the final race but got the upper hand off the starting line. Still, both sailors were handed another penalty each, in yet another close incident in the final run but the balance didn't change. Hansen finished ahead of Gilmour and moved to the semifinals.

Amazing comeback performance by Bjorn Hansen. Jeongok Marina, 13 June 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / SubZero Images

Mathieu Richard vs Francesco Bruni: The first of the five titanic clashes between the French and the Italian was won by Bruni after Richard completely missed one of the yellow fixed buoys in the course, driving directly into it and completely tearing his spinnaker. Richard had to retire and hand the first point to Bruni. The roles reversed in the second race and the French match racing champion had a comfortable victory over Bruni. The Italian, on port side, got a penalty in the prestart when his stern collided with the stern of the French yacht. There was nothing Bruni could do and the point went to Richard.

Richard had an average start in the third race and gave Bruni the chance to get ahead. He tried to attack but the Italian sailed flawlessly, winning the race. Bruni started the fourth match strong off the line and was leading at the weather mark but a great comeback by Richard on the run gave him the opportunity to sneak inside Bruni at the bottom mark and force a penalty on him for not giving room. Richard got ahead and managed to keep his lead until the end. The fifth and decisive race was a nail-biting match racing exhibition but despite all the tricks Bruni tried to throw at Richard, the French stayed ahead until the finish line.

Torvar Mirsky was on fire in his races against Adam Minoprio. Jeongok Marina, 13 June 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / SubZero Images

Torvar Mirsky vs Adam Minoprio: The battle between the two young guns was a one-sided story. Mirsky prevailed in both races, from start to finish, comfortably winning two points against the world's top-ranked match racer that seemed to be completely out of form. Minoprio finishes a disappointing 6th in the Korea Match Cup.

Gilmour and Williams eliminated from Match Race Germany semis

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] There were a series of Quarter Final fights for first place today on Day 4 of Match Race Germany. Two previous ISAF Match Racing World Champions; Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing and Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar were knocked out in the quarters whilst Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing and Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team remained.

Radich is back in the game after a two year break from match racing, “It’s great to be back behind the wheel, I can definitely feel that I’ve taken time out but it’s all coming back to me. My crew have been amazing”, said a satisfied Radich.

Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, the current World Champion, sailed through to the semi finals after defeating Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team clinched victory over Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing after a controversial call by Gilmour’s team which took them round the wrong windward mark and Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team destroyed the hope of a semi final spot for Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar.

Highlights from Day 4 of Match Race Germany. Langenargen, 23 May 2010. Video copyright World Match Racing Tour

This is a turning point for Mirsky who according to Gilmour has a “long and high profile career ahead of him” – he has beaten his master, who Mirsky back in Marseille said was his ‘inspiration’ to take up this sport.

Minoprio was confident yesterday that he could beat Holmberg and did not disappoint. This is a major achievement for Minoprio as Holmberg is renowned as one of the most competitive sailors in the match racing scene having been involved with the Tour circuit since 1991, representing Sweden in the Olympics 3 times as well as having 2 America’s Cup campaigns under his belt. A hungry Minoprio after 10 hours of racing chatted about the time he put in training with Holmberg before Stage 2, “I was worried at one point today that the training I put in with Holmberg would actually have worked against me and that he might beat us”.

The race committee cracked straight on into the semi finals as the skippers’ prayers for a more stable wind were answered. Minoprio came out on top against Mirsky beating him in 2 matches and Radich is 2 wins up on Richard.

The umpire team, boasting some high profile names, has had an enthralling start to the semi final with a collision between the youngest contenders. Jack Lloyd current Race Director for the Volvo Ocean Race and originally rules advisor to Emirates Team New Zealand during the 2007 America’s Cup is enjoying the WMRT work. After a lengthy debrief Lloyd talked through his views on the WMRT, “The World Match Racing Tour is really striving to create an atmosphere for the public, bringing the racing closer in and building the entertainment factor that match racing has, basically what’s not to like”.

Great performance by Jesper Radich who knocked out former world champion Ian Williams. Langenargen, 23 May 2010. Photo copyright Subzero Images / World Match Racing Tour

Meanwhile, the semi-final of the Match Race Germany 2010 has attracted a staggering 50 sponsors with multinational brands intent on establishing an association with this World Series. BAVARIA has been the official ‘Boat Sponsor’ for Stage 2 of the Tour since 2004 and has signed up for further activity next year. Jasmin Müller, Marketing Manager of BAVARIA, has been hosting guests today at the 17th century castle, “Match Race Germany is key for our involvement with an international racing series. We are really pleased today that the WMRT enabled one of our guests to actually race on board a Bavaria 35 match with the elite crews”. This sponsor initiative is common place now on the Tour, where a ‘hot seat’ position is made available for VIPs to have a ‘once in a lifetime racing experience’.

One of the top players in the automobile industry, Alfa Romeo - part of the Fiat Group, is using Match Race Germany as an exhibition vehicle. This is the first year for Alfa Romeo’s association with match racing. Fiat’s Brand Marketing and Communications Manager, Alexander Knesewitsch, notes the success of having an onsite presence, “It’s excellent to have some of our newest models on display at the event village. The sheer number of people that this sports event draws in is incredible, we have benefited from this footfall with a lot of registered interest in the 8C Spider.” In fact independent quantitative reports show annual figures of 45,000 spectators flocking to this 5 day event.

‘Logistics company for the world’, DHL, one of the top sponsors at Match Race Germany, is proud to support the Tour. “It is always a pleasure for us to invite our guests from all over the world to Langenargen where they are sure to be indulged with a unique experience”, said Ernst Wallaschek representing DHL this year.

Richard got racing this afternoon during the start of the semis and has put his continued success down to maintaining a long term relationship with his crew, “I’ve been racing with my crew now for 10 years – in top teams you find that the crews are very stable, the good results come when you have a consistent crew. It’s a really key point to have the same crew. I think Gilmour is an example of what happens when you change your team line up too much”.

Adam Minoprio and Torvar Mirsky yell, asking for penalties. Minoprio is leading Mrisky 2-1 in the semifinals. Langenargen, 23 May 2010. Photo copyright Subzero Images / World Match Racing Tour


Day 4: Results

Day 4 Semi Finals after 3 Races
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team vs Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Sailing Team 1-2
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing vs Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 2-1

Quarter Final results
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing vs Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge 3-1
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar GRB vs Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Sailing Team 3-2
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team vs Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 3-1

Overall Standings:
5 Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar
6 Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
7 Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge
8 Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia
9 Ian Ainslie (RSA) Team Proximo
10 Mads Ebler (DEN) Ebler Matchracing
11 Kathrin Kadelbach (GER) EWE Sailing Team
12 Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Gill Global Team

Mathieu Richard rules round robin at Match Race Germany

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] Day 3 of Match Race Germany saw Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team securing a safe spot in the Semi Finals, after a dramatic final luffing battle with Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar. Five skippers were however, pushed out of the event, namely Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia, Ian Ainslie (RSA) Team Proximo, Mads Ebler (DEN) Ebler Matchracing and Kathrin Kadelbach (GER) EWE Sailing Team have been pushed out of the event. Richard can now take a well earned rest during the Quarter Finals, which will feature Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar, Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team, Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing, Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge and Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team.

“It was down to our last match against Ian Williams on whether we would go straight to the semi-finals or have to sail the quarter finals. We are lucky to have our coach here with us analysing our performance and the other teams, so we are constantly learning”, said a cool and calm Richard at the Quarter Finals boat draw.

Mathieu Richard crosses ahead of Ian Williams during their match on day 3 of Match Race Germany. Langenargen, 22 May 2010. Photo copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images/WMRT

Crystal clear skies and unbroken sun brought a glorious shine to the enchanted Alpine lake today. Fans of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) have been able to share these stunning visuals beamed to them across the world using cutting edge technology. The Tour has joined forces with global telecommunications giant, Alcatel-Lucent, to stream the Match Race Germany event live over the Internet using the latest LTE (Long Term Evolution) 4G Technology. This is the first time in the world that a German sports event has used the end-to-end LTE network solution. The next generation technology replaces the traditional complex, slower solution for streaming video at sports events. Originally, streaming relied on 3G technology at 380kbps but with 4G, the speed has increased to a remarkable 100Mbps.

Dr. Erich Zielinski who works in the End-to-End 4G/LTE Solutions division at Alcatel-Lucent is thrilled to be able to put the company’s expertise in LTE 4G technology in use during the Tour. “The quality of the video streams captured by onboard cameras and transmitted via LTE to the on-shore production studio has been excellent. The WMRT is a great opportunity to showcase the amazing value that LTE can provide for major sports events”.

Pierre Orphanidis, Editor of Valencia Sailing, related the impact of 4G streaming. "Once again, the WMRT is taking the lead and showing the sailing world the way to go with TV production and web streaming. I think Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison should take note of what is going on at Match Race Germany and apply it to the next America's Cup. What I like the most is the superb quality of the images and sound from on-board the racing yachts”.

Ian Williams looks back as he tries to force a penalty on Mathieu Richard in their match on day 3 of Match Race Germany. Langenargen, 22 May 2010. Photo copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images/WMRT

Members of the public at the Match Race Germany event village watched the live streaming on big screens and were keen to share their views. “It is a great visual display of what is happening on the water, the on-board filming is a great advancement”. A Mirsky Racing crew’s family here with him said, “The different views on the live streaming provided an all-round experience, showing course overviews and on-deck filming”.

Meanwhile, Richard will be using his free time tomorrow to try and view the live streaming, “The live streaming is terrific for the Tour. It allows our family and friends at home to see the action and follow what we are doing. The pictures transmitted are really good quality, with user friendly commentary by Mark Chisnell that the non-sailors can also understand”.

Scheduled tomorrow the Quarter Finals put Gilmour up against Mirsky where sparks will fly as the fellow Australians fight it out. Gilmour foresaw a semi final slot for his YANMAR Racing Team earlier in the event and it may be the youngster who gets to prove this prediction wrong. Minoprio will have his work cut out against the legendary Holmberg with Williams taking on Radich.

According to Richard the key to winning the 2010 Tour is to have the right balance between remaining relaxed, while at the same time being totally concentrated, “This is a very fragile balance”.

Day 3: Results

Semi Finalist
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team

Quarterfinalists
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing v Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar v Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing v Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team

Overall Round Robin Standings
1 Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 8-3
2 Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 8-3
3 Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 8-3
4 Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 7-4
5 Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 7-4
6 Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team 7-4
7 Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge 6-5
8 Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia 5-6
9 Ian Ainslie (RSA) Team Proximo 4-7
10 Mads Ebler (DEN) Ebler Matchracing 3-8
11 Kathrin Kadelbach (GER) EWE Sailing Team 2-9
12 Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Gill Global Team 1-10

Mirsky and Richard lead Match Race Germany

[Source: World Math Racing Tour] Competitors at Match Race Germany, Stage 2 of the 2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour (WMRT), have provided a series of slow motion ballet duets for the start of the Round Robin. The 4 to 5 knots of wind on Lake Constance from the South West has brought out the best in lake sailing ability, with some skippers like Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team preferring these conditions having been taught on ‘Lac de Maine’. Richard has noticed that there are a number of match racing regattas run on lakes and now simulates these lake conditions on the Atlantic Coast of France. “To create the experience just like racing on a lake I train with my team really close to the shore, this mirrors the light and shifty conditions when the breeze is off the land”.

Those who have mastered Bodensee's light wind condition are overall leaders Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team and the current 2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour leader, Richard, both winning all 3 of their matches from today.

Highlights from Day 1 of Match Race Germany. Langenargen, 20 May 2010. Video copyright World Match Racing Tour

There is then a block of four skippers who are all at 2-1, namely Adam Minoprio, (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, Ian Williams (GBR) under his new team name Team GAC Pindar, Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing and Ian Ainslie (RSA) Team Proximo . This is a very tight set group and the balance could shift instantly with the likes of Gilmour involved. Gilmour has the best record of any skipper at Match Race Germany, having previously won this Stage three times in a row from 2004 through to 2006.

Mirsky highlighted that Gilmour is ‘the man to beat at Langenargen’ saying, “I think Peter is going to be tough to beat on Lake Constance -- he has a great record here. He likes tricky conditions and big boats”. Mirsky has been working on his skills in the light wind since his disappointment at Match Race France. Taking part in ‘Open de Espana Match Race’ with light wind has definitely worked in the 23 year old’s favour and Gilmour has related that after growing up in the Australian wind conditions, understanding light weather sailing is down to ‘hard work’.

Mirsky said “we actually feel pretty lucky today, we created some luck but we also received some in the process. We had some good starts and managed to make the best of them. The race committee had done the best they could do in these conditions, the wind comes in they get the races off quickly which leads to a good half of the race. It then gets shifty and it can be hard to stay on top of these shifts. We anticipated the conditions here and are really pleased to have clinched some wins”.

Torvar Mirsky leads Match Race Germany. Langenargen, 20 May 2010. Photo copyright Gareth Cooke / Subzero Images / World Match Racing Tour

The depth of talent on this year’s Tour has not disappointed the growing fan base The latest ISAF World Match Race Rankings released included 8 of the WMRT tour card holders in the top 10 standings. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing the current ISAF World Match Racing World Champion, leads the ranking ladder in front of the youngest contender on the Tour, Mirsky, and Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN.
Twenty six-year-old Kathrin Kadelbach (GER) EWE Sailing Team, Match Race Germany’s first ever female skipper, will have to set herself a new goal tomorrow as she has already won a match against Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Gill Global Team. The 2012 Olympic hopeful who is campaigning in the 470 class to race at Weymouth and Portland, is definitely a player in this male dominated event.

Day 1: Round Robin Results
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 3-0
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 3-0
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 2-1
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 2-1
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 2-1
Ian Ainslie (RSA) Team Proximo 2-1
Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia 1-2
Kathrin Kadelbach (GER) EWE Sailing Team 1-2
Mads Ebler (DEN) Ebler Matchracing 1-2
Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team 1-2
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Gill Global Team 0-3
Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge 0-3

Adam Minoprio holds on to #1 match race spot; Mathieu Richard climbs to 4th

[Source: ISAF] The top two remain unchanged in the latest release of the Open ISAF World Match Race Rankings. Adam Minoprio (NZL) completes his seventh consecutive release in the world #1 spot, followed by fellow young gun Torvar Mirsky (AUS).

Triple Olympic gold medallist and TeamOrigin skipper Ben Ainslie (GBR) remains in third position having been runner-up at Match Race France in Marseilles.

Three French sailors hold top ten positions in the rankings, Mathieu Richard, Damien Iehl and Sebastien Col. Mathieu Richard (FRA) has moved up the leaderboard from seventh to fourth after his impressive victory on home waters in Marseilles and Damien Iehl won the Vll Open de Espana in Calpe in May.

Adam Minoprio, the world's top match racer, trains on the eve of Match Race Germany. Langenargen, 19 May 2010. Photo copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images/WMRT

For the second time Francesco Bruni (ITA) has made big gains to move up to ninth with a third place finish at Match Race France. Peter Gilmour (AUS) has also moved into the top ten by campaigning on the ISAF World Match Race Tour.

Former ISAF Match Racing World Champion, Ian Williams (GBR) starts his 2010 campaign at stage two of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour in Germany. Beaten by the new match racing rock star, Adam Minoprio at last years Monsoon Cup, Williams also faces stiff opposition including Mathieu Richard, Torvar Mirsky, Bjorn Hansen (SWE), sailing legend Magnus Holmberg (SWE) and Ian Ainslie (RSA).

Also competing at Lake Constance in the Open category will be Kathrin Kadelb of Germany, who will be the first female skipper to ever compete in Match Race Germany. Another female skipper who has risen steadily up the Open rankings is Sally Barkow (USA), she has gone from #93 to #66 helped by a win at the Match Race Clinic & Regatta in Newport.

Mickel Hestbaek of Denmark has made a huge leap from #120 to #67 aided by a second position at the ISAF Grade 3 Spring Cup in Skovshoved, Denmark.

One to watch for the future will be twenty three year old young gun Phil Robertson (NZL) who recently won the Korea Match Cup Qualifier securing his entry to the ISAF World Match Race Tour event in Korea.

Mathieu Richard Set to Win His 6th Attempt at Match Race Germany

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] Match Race Germany, Stage 2 of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour, will see Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team back to defend his convincing win against Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN at Stage 1 of the 2010 Tour.

Richard is sitting comfortably on top of the leadership ladder with 25 overall points and a 5 point lead over close rival Ainslie. Skipper of the French Match Racing Team and previous tactician for the French America’s Cup Team, Aleph in Auckland, he has not won Match Race Germany to date. 2010 could be Mathieu’s year to take both wins at Stage 1 and 2, giving Richard a significant lead over all the other World Match Racing Tour Card Holders.

Richard, a fan of Lake Constance, has taken part in the 5 consecutive Match Race Germany events since 2004, this will be his sixth World Match Racing Tour event at ‘Langenargen am Bodensee’. Richard demonstrated his natural gift for racing in the light wind while in the Bay of Marseille and the German venue is also famous for testing the patience of skippers and crew during longer tactical races. Mathieu Richard commented, “I like Match Race Germany as the venue is beautiful when the weather is in our favour, the racing is always challenging because of the shifty winds on the race course”.

Mathieu Richard sailing to victory in Match Race France. Marseille, 5 April 2010. Photo copyright World Match Racing Tour

The French Match Racing Team will be backed up by their coach, Benjamin Bonnaud, who will be attending Match Race Germany and can provide support and advice first hand throughout the event as racing progresses. Coaches being on site during events can be a substantial psychological boost to a team’s overall focus and morale, and is seen as a logical and positive step in maintaining an athlete’s competitive attitude.

The team also likes to attend Langenargen due to the event being well organized every year and is now in its 13th edition. Match Race Germany is a firm favourite with all the sailors, “Match Race Germany is such a great event, the organizers really know how to put on a wonderful regatta”, said Richard.

Mathieu however, finds the Bavaria 35 Match a testing model to race. It is heavier and older in style to the J80 yachts raced in Marseille, with a traditional spinnaker system which is significantly more physical for the crews.

Richard explained, “these yachts are very challenging to sail because they are so different to the other yachts we sail on the circuit”. Richard will be spending two days training on the Bavaria racing yachts prior to racing, which starts on May 20, and has been training seriously since Match Race France.

“We had an excellent practice session in Pornichet with Damien Lehl. It was very interesting for us working on tactics, rules and mental as well as physical skills”.

Mathieu also decided to change his team set up since Marseille - Erwan Vanier from Damien Lehl’s team will be joining the team instead of Olivier Herledant and Yannick Simon will be back onboard as bowman. Richard still sees Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/ BlackMatch Racing, Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team and Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing as his top contenders, but he only has one aim for Germany, ‘victory’.

With this total determination the high profile racer will be aiming to build yet another outstanding series, “I am aiming to maintain a high level of sailing during the entire week and to be at the top on the last day”.