NZ Match Racing Championships: Adam Minoprio crushes big names

[Source: Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron] 21 year old Adam Minoprio and his Blackmatch racing team had a fantastic day on the water beating not only Chris Dickson, Dean Barker and his older brother Simon, plus 4 other skippers to finish round robin one on a total of 7 wins.

Also on 7 wins overall is Gavin Brady from BMW Oracle. Brady wins the day on countback from Minoprio after beating him by only 3 seconds in Flight Seven.

Other young guns Graeme Sutherland & Laurie Jury, who both gained entry into this regatta by placing first and second respectively in the Qualifier series, showed that last weekend’s qualify was perfect practice as they took 5 and 6 wins from the day.

Adam Minoprio and Team BlachMatch racing to another victory. Auckland, 23 November 2006. Photo copyright Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

The battle of the Dickson brothers went to Chris beating his brother Scott by 58 seconds in flight five. And the battle of the Minoprio brothers was fierce to the end but Adam was able to complete his gybe at the finish and beat his older brother Simon by just 5 seconds.

The final match of the day, and named ‘the match of the day’ by the Race Committee was between the two America’s Cup skippers Dean Barker and Chris Dickson. It was a fantastic match to watch with neither skipper giving the other any room, it went right down to the finish line and Barker was given the win by just 1 second.

Ironically these two will meet again on Friday morning in Match 1 Flight 1 of Round Robin Two!

In the first flight of today it was the 'coach' versus the students. Guy Pilkington, Training Manager of the RNZYS Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme is trimming the mainsail for Scott Dickson, and first up this morning they raced the Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme team helmed by Phil Robertson. The coach’s team won by 1m13s.

Gavin Brady, leading the NZ Match Racing Championships after Round Robin One. Auckland, 23 November 2006. Photo copyright Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

Yet another close finish at the NZ Match Racing Championships, this time between Chris Dickson and Simon Minoprio. Chris Dickson is only at the middle of the leaderboard after Round Robin One. Auckland, 23 November 2006. Photo copyright Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

Points Table
After Round Robin One

Gavin Brady 7 wins / 2 losses
Adam Minoprio 7 / 2
Laurie Jury 6 / 3
Dean Barker 6 / 3
Graeme Sutherland 5 / 4
Chris Dickson 5 / 4
Simon Minoprio 4 / 5
Scott Dickson 3 / 6
Simon Dickey 2 / 7
Phil Robertson 0 / 9