Adam Minoprio holds on to top spot at match racing rankings

[Source: ISAF] The leaders of the current ISAF World Match Race Rankings remain unchanged in the current release of the ISAF World Match Race Rankings. Current Open World Match Race Champion Adam Minoprio (NZL) continues to lead the Open Match Race Rankings.

There have been very few Open Match Race regattas since the last rankings release and hence very few changes to the top order. Adam Minoprio (NZL) completes his tenth consecutive release in the world number one position followed by Ben Ainslie (GBR) who is currently racing for Team Origin against BMW Oracle Racing for the 1851 Cup in Cowes.


The only major change in the top order is the change of places of Torvar Mirsky (AUS) and Mathieu Richard (FRA). Mirsky moves to the third spot, dropping Richard to fourth. Eugeniy Neugodnikov (RUS) currently in eight position is putting pressure on Bjorn Hansen (SWE) with a third position in the Manu Minard Trophy, Match Racing regatta in Pornichet. Both Sébastien Col and Damien Iehl of France drop out of the top ten.

Pierre-Antoine Morvan of France has moved into the top 10 with a win at the Manu Minard Trophy in Pornichet. Another sailor steadily rising up the rankings is Reuben Corbett (NZL) who jumps from #25 to #18 aided by his second placing in Pornichet.

Damien Iehl wins Open de España after windless closing day

It's a pity when weather conditions don't let you watch four of the world's best match racers battle their way to a trophy but after all that's sailing. You have to accept that there is nothing you can do but wait until there is at least some decent breeze in order to have a fair race.

The race committee did its best and looked for the tiniest indication of decent conditions, far and wide for more than 6 hours but to no avail. Although the forecast yesterday evening was promising, the late-night heavy rain cooled the land and the clouds didn't let the thermal breeze build up. As a result, they were left with no option but call the day off at 5pm.

The final ranking of the event is thus the final ranking of the round robin. Damien Iehl wins the Open de España, having also won the round robin with a perfect 11-0 score. The world's number 2 match racer, Torvar Mirsky, finishes second with 10 victories, having lost his match to Iehl. Finally, Pierre-Antoine is third with 9 victories and two losses to, who else, Iehl and Mirsky.

Open de España Match Race - Final Results
1. Damien Iehl
2. Torvar Mirsky
3. Pierre-Antoine Morvan
4. Björn Hansen

Damien Iehl wins Open de España Match Race. Calpe, 30 April 2010. Photos opyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing