Posts in category News

DRAG RACING ON THE BAY

Saturday
May 25
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

AC NEWS – Here is some raw footage of ORACLE and Team NZ pacing each other on the SF Bay.

“Sailing on the Bay with Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa definitely got the competitive juices flowing a little bit,” said ORACLE TEAM USA tactician John Kostecki. “It’s great to have all the teams here now, and out on the Bay; it’s probably a spectacular sight for people on the outside.”

So with this raw footage we ask “who will win the AC?” Let us know by voting in our XS Poll to the right hand side of our site. So far most of our XS collective think Team NZ will win it all. What do you think? Vote today!

Posted in Racing, Sailing - Tagged americas cup, sailing, sailing news

THRILLS AND DRAMA ON LAST DAY

Saturday
May 25
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

DELTA LLOYD – The new format experienced in the Eurosaf Champions Sailing Cup with the emphasis put on the last medal race created the expected thrill and drama in the Delta Lloyd regatta in Medemblik.

Five of the earlier leaders have lost top place during the Medal race which have opened the field for the top six boats.

Check it out above!

Posted in Racing, Sailing - Tagged DELTA LLOYD REGATTA, sailing, sailing news

HOBIE CAT SAILING IN 70 KNOTS OF WIND

Friday
May 24
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

CAT TALES HISTORY – What began as a windless regatta in the 1974 Can-Am Hobie Cat Race, from Port Angeles WA. to Victoria BC, ended in a race for survival!! Unexpected winds gusting up to 70 mph surprised the Hobie 16′s in their round-trip race across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Brought to you by Hobie Cat dealer FuntoSail.com

Posted in Racing, Sailing - Tagged hobie cat sailing, sailing, sailing news

THE TRANSAT HAS A DATE

Friday
May 24
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

SOLO SAILING – The next edition of THE TRANSAT, the successor for pro-sailors to the original solo race across the North Atlantic that was born as the OSTAR, will take place in May 2016. As we wish the sailors good luck for the start of the Corinthian version for smaller boats this Bank Holiday Monday, 27th May from Plymouth, UK, this serves as a timely reminder to establish a marker for the The Transat, or La Transat Anglaise as its known in France.

The first race was competed by just a handful of pioneering sailors including Francis Chichester and Blondie Hasler who coined the phrase: “One man, one boat, the ocean”. There has been tragedy, dramatic rescues and exceptional drama since the race began in 1960. Over time THETRANSAT, as it is known today, has evolved and now serves the professional end of offshore sailing. But there are few modern day races that can reflect on such a long and outstanding history.

IMOCA 60 Monohull record: 12 days, 11 hours and 45 minutes set by Loick Peyron (FRA) on board Gitana in 2008

Multihull 60ft record: 8 days, 8 hours, 29 minutes set by Michel Desjoyeaux (FRA) on board Geant in 2004

For more info go to: www.thetransat.com

Posted in Racing, Sailing - Tagged sailing, sailing news, the transit

SPLIT OR COVER

Friday
May 24
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

RACE TACTICS IN REVIEW – While Leg 2 of the Atlantic Cup has been decided, check out Gryphon Solo’s decision making process concerning whether or not to cut inside Block Island only miles before the Jamestown FiSH Finish Line. This was not an easy decision, especially given their position at the front of the fleet and cost her the race. Even in ocean racing it can pay to ‘cover’ the fleet instead of searching for the fastest course.

Posted in Photos, Racing, Sailing - Tagged atlantic cup, sailing, sailing news

EASTERN STARS

Friday
May 24
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

STAR SAILING – The first day of the Eastern Hemisphere Championship in Torbole was successful with 2 races sailed. The sea breeze helped a lot the sailors to compete on ideal weather conditions. So with two races today, the duo of Diego Negri and Frithjof Kleen found them in the lead with 10 points difference from the second and the third. Check out the action above.

Posted in Racing, Sailing - Tagged sailing, sailing news, STAR SAILING

THERE’S A NEW MAXI IN TOWN

Friday
May 24
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

RECORD BREAKERS - Save the date – July 2nd 2013 – Official launch of the new Spindrfit2 Maxi trimaran. Check out her specs below:

Characteristics:

Length overall 40 m
Beam overall 23 m
Hull draft 5,80 m
Air draft 47 m
Mainsail 450 m2
Gennaker 610 m2
Solent 270 m2

For more info go to: SPINDRIFT RACING

Posted in Racing - Tagged sailing, sailing news, spindrift racing

GET YOUR DESTOPNEWS HERE!

Wednesday
May 22
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

DESTOPNEWS – This Weekly edition takes you from Austria to Switzerland visiting Greece and Porquerolles along the way, but first an are going to have an exhilarating ride onboard a TP52!

Posted in Racing, Sailing - Tagged destopnews, sailing, sailing news

ANDREW ‘BART’ SIMPSON MEMORIAL SERVICE ANNOUNCED

Wednesday
May 22
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

FAREWELL ANDREW – The funeral service for Olympic gold and silver medalist and America’s Cup sailor Andrew Simpson has been confirmed as 31 May 2013.

James ‘Bart’ Simpson MBE tragically passed away, aged 36, on 9 May 2013 in San Francisco. He was a devoted husband, adored daddy, son, brother and friend to so many whose lives he touched.

The service will be held at Sherborne Abbey, Dorset, on Friday 31 May at 1pm, followed by a celebration of Andrew’s life at Sherborne Castle.

Guests are requested to bring any photos they may have of Andrew to be placed on a memory wall for people to share, and his family to treasure.

Family flowers only are requested for the funeral – donations are instead welcome towards a sailing charity to benefit children which will be set up in Andrew’s memory. Cheques should be payable to ‘Peter Jackson Funeral Services Charity’ and sent to:

Peter Jackson Funeral Services
Mons Bungalow
High Street
Henstridge
Templecombe
Somerset
BA8 0RB
UK

Please write ‘Simpson’ on the reverse of the cheque or enclose a covering note.

Sky photo by Artemis Racing/ Sander van der Borch

Posted in Racing, Sailing - Tagged andrew simpson, sailing, sailing news

SPERRY TOP-SIDER/ICSA WOMEN’S SEMI-FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Wednesday
May 22
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

WOMEN SAILING – St. Petersburg, Fla. (May 21, 2013) – The 2013 Intercollegiate Sailing Association’s series of National Championships began today on Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, Fla. with the Sperry-Topsider/ICSA Women’s Semi-Final Championship. The Semi-Finals are the precursor to the Women’s National Championship slated to begin Wednesday, May 22 at 1 p.m. eastern time provided that all qualifying races are completed. Otherwise Finals racing will begin Thursday, May 23. The events are co-hosted by the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Eckerd College and the St. Petersburg Yacht Club.

Nine teams have already qualified for the National Championship: St. Mary’s College of Maryland, U.S. Naval Academy, University of Minnesota, Boston College, Yale University, University of Washington, Stanford University, College of Charleston and University of Texas. Nine more teams will qualify over the next two days from the 18 currently racing in the Semi-Finals.

Teams arrived to sunny skies and warm temperatures around 80 degrees this morning at Magnuson Hotel Marina Cove – where the competitors are sailing. Winds were from the east, a rare direction for the venue, at about five knots. As the day progressed the temperatures rose to the mid-80s and the winds became inconsistent.

The wind died and began to shift around in the middle of the day when the race committee called for lunch on shore and a break while they waited for the sea breeze to fill in. The winds came in from the south and filled to about 10 knots out of the southwest. The conditions held for a while until afternoon/evening thunderstorms came in and caused another delay in racing. The competitors were able to get a little more sailing in after the storms, but the race committee called it a day around 7:30 p.m. eastern time.

Teams are sailing in Club FJ’s on trapezoid courses. Both A-division and B-division completed eight races today.

“The conditions today were variable,” Brian Clancy, head coach of Cornell University says. It was a long day for the girls who experienced heat, sun, thunderstorms and a range of wind directions and speeds. Clancy says his team was actually able to practice in similar conditions leading up to this event on their home lake at Cornell. Sailing for Cornell was Lauren Turner ‘13 and Lindsey Ludwig ‘14 in A-division and Jenny Borshoff ‘15 and Devon Furlong ‘13 in B-division.

Clancy says it was important to hold your lane on the racecourse today and find pressure on the course. “The Semi-Finals is short, so our goal for this event is just to make it through to the finals,” Clancy says. Cornell is happy to be sitting on top of the leader board in first place after today’s sailing, but they are looking forward to a good meal and sleep tonight.

Dartmouth College is only ten points behind Cornell with 83 points and 22 points behind them is Eckerd College. The scores are close for the top nine teams with more racing to come tomorrow.

Semi-Finals racing will continue tomorrow morning starting at 9 a.m. eastern. Teams already qualified for the Nationals will arrive mid-morning to check in and hopefully fit in some practice in the boats before their start. When 16 races between A and B-division are completed, the National Championships are scheduled to begin. For more results and information about the regattas visit the event website: https://2013nationals.collegesailing.org/.

Top Nine Teams, Day 1:

1. Cornell University
2. Dartmouth College
3. Eckerd College
4. Brown University
5. Georgetown University
6. University of South Florida
7. Connecticut College
8. Roger Williams University
9. William Smith College

Watch live media coverage of the final day of the Sperry Top-Sider/ICSA Women’s Semi-Final on May 24 by clicking on the Live Media link at https://2013nationals.collegesailing.org/.

The University of South Florida, St. Petersburg and Eckerd College will provide daily text and photo updates for each of the regattas and Chris Love Productions will provide video highlights, presented by LaserPerformance.

Posted in Racing, Sailing - Tagged sailing, sailing news

EUROPEAN TORNADO CHAMPS SPEAK!

Wednesday
May 22
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

TEAMGAEBLER SAILING NEWS – Double European Champion in 2013 Tornado – Victory in the Open and Mixed classification for TeamGaebler!

Behind us are difficult months and it is a really great feeling to sail such a constant series in various winds on Lake Constance at the Tornado European Championship. With the single places of 1-1-3-1-1-3-2-2 we could beat the favorites from Greece, who finished overall second and third. Also the renewed victory in the Mixed ranking makes us very happy. A total of 31 teams from 8 countries took part in the European Championships of the Tornado Class.

The winds blew light to strong. Off and onshore. From all directions. Various tactical options we experience on the race course close to the delta of the Rhine. It was not easy to find the right way with all the wind shifts and gusts. We had 4 different wind directions during one day! The sailing near the northern Alps are often very tricky.

Also we felt to be in a trible race with the Greek top sailors, who had an intensive preparation for this event. In this situation it was not easy for us to catch better tactical option to escape and overtake them and same way to handle the risk of a fatal wind shift. A 3rd place was our discard after 8 races! And with 4 single race wins, it’s one of our best series ever in sail racing.

In 2010, we beat the Greek Team at the World Championships. In the last two years they often overtook us in the final just by some points. Sometimes we felt a bit unlucky. This time we took the title three points ahead Jordanis Paschalides & Kostas Trigonis.

Since 2009 we sail together as a mixed team. It was our first win of an Open European Championship title in the Tornado for both of us. The Mixed Championship title we have now won four in a row. For Roland it was the 8th Open European Title in the Tornado Class since 1991.

Posted in Racing, Sailing - Tagged sailing, sailing news, TORNADO CATAMARANS

RAINY AND COLD CONDITIONS

Wednesday
May 22
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

DELTA LLOYD REGATTA – It was one of this day when you dream of a good log fire and a captivating book…Despite the rain and cold, the sailors put on all the warmest gear to start the first races of the 2013 Delta Lloyd regatta.

It was an intense day on the water with a tight programme. Olympic and Paralympic classes sailed three races apart from the 49ers and RS:X who had four races back to back. “We realise it is an intensive schedule, particularly for the RS:X in non-planing conditions, so we decided to lower their target time to 20 mins and optimise resting periods between races.” explains regatta PRO Robert Lamb (GBR).

London Olympic champions take the lead in three classes.

RS:X Gold medallist Dorian van Rijsselberge (NED) didn’t mind the conditions, nor the intensive programme with four victories taken on the day:

“A perfect start here. Four wins. The circumstances were difficult today. Cold and rainy. People expect a lot of me, but winning stays difficult. The racing was nice. Four races on a day is not what we often do, in Garda we had that also. It’s tough, especially when it is so cold as today. Lots of guys in the RS:X had problems with the cold. In these conditions it’s important to sail smart, at least smarter than the other guys.”

Dorian success story is an inspiration for the younger generation. Young Dutch windsurfer Kiran Badloe who has started the year with a podium in Palma found it harder today but managed to place 11^th in a strong fleet:

“My races were unstable today. The wind turned a lot, that made it tough, besides the cold. It is nice to compete against Dorian, but today I didn’t see him so much. He is so fast. Dorian is an inspiration for me. His success is very important for Dutch Sailing. My goal here is qualification for the top 25 in the Gold fleet.”

Close score in the Women 470 with Olympic champions Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie (NZL) in first place, a point ahead of Sophie Weguelin and Eilidh Mcintyre (GBR).

There are no surprises in the Men 470. Mat Belcher and Will Ryan (AUS), undefeated since the start of the season, are taking the day with three wins.

The Danish shared the day in the 49er. Norregaard/Thomsen took the first two bullets while Warrer/Lang are leading the fleet after winning the last two races. In the women, Annemiek Bekkering and Claire Blom (NED) are taking first position after four races.

Canadian Finn sailor Greg Douglas leads the Finn fleet with Piotr Kula (POL) in second. With two SWC victories in Melbourne and Hyères and a second place in Palma, Laser class favourite Tom Burton (AUS) takes top place in the Laser. SWC Palma winner Alison Young is leading the Radial in front of Annalise Murphy (IRL) and Marit Bouwmeester (NED).

Mandy Mulder and Thijs Vissel (NED) have taken the first two races to lead the small but strong Nacra fleet.

Moana Delle (GER) is continuing on her good form in the RS:X women in front of a deep field. There are twelve countries in the top 15 and some of the best sailors.

The British are dominating the Paralympic classes after three races. Megan Pascoe takes the command in the 2.4 fleet, while John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas (GBR) lead the Sonar on equal point with Hyères winners Bruno Jourdren, Eric Flageul and Nicolas Vimont-Vicary (FRA).

The forecast for the second day of racing is for strong winds.

Posted in Racing, Sailing - Tagged DELTA LLOYD REGATTA, sailing, sailing news

KIDS LEARNING TO WINDSURF

Tuesday
May 21
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

WINDSURFING – Many kids around the world join the biggest windsurfing class every day, but not all of them have an experienced coach who can help them to learn. Thanks to BIC sports international and International windsurfing association and with help from Mauro Covre (Techno 293 Italian national coach) they can learn with this instructional video.

Posted in Moving Pictures, Sailing - Tagged sailing, sailing news, windsurfing

LUNA ROSSA ASKS FOR CHANGES IN AMERICA’S CUP

Tuesday
May 21
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

AC NEWS - Bertelli, chief executive of Prada and a longtime challenger for the Cup spoke at a news conference last Friday at the team’s temporary base in Alameda, Calif. asking for changes to the AC rules. For those of you who missed the conference, here is a quote and video of the news conference.

“In order for a boat to be safe, the crew must feel safe, and they need to trust their boat; this is primordial,” Bertelli said. “I have asked our sailors if they trust the boat, and our sailors have told me they do trust the boat and that they can sail on it. Obviously, we are going to look at technology and any tools that can help us to be safer. Also it’s very important to reduce the wind limits to around what we ask and to race as per the protocol and the class rule.”

“We will not tolerate the bending of the rules using as an excuse the latest fatality, and we will respect the rules of the protocol and the class rule as they have been approved. We are absolutely in favor of discussing with all the other teams to try to find common solutions to the problems we face, but we will not accept any imposition.”

Posted in Racing, Sailing - Tagged americas cup, sailing, sailing news

‘CHALLENGED AMERICA’ NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

Tuesday
May 21
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE – ATTENTION! – Sailors from Santa Barbara to San Diego, ‘CHALLENGED AMERICA’, needs your help.

All that is remaining to complete and bring the motor yacht “Challenged America” (a classic Grand Banks 42) to its home dock at Sunroad Resort Marina are a few volunteers willing and able to paint the top cabin.

We’re anxious to have the Challenged America program’s Flagship operational; you’re help is needed today.

For additional information on participating in the Sanding & Painting Party in San Diego, phone or email the Challenged America office today, and we will contact you right away to make arrangements.

Office: (619) 523-9318

Email: [email protected]

Thank You,

Urban Miyares, co-founder

Posted in Sailing - Tagged challenged america, sailing, sailing news

VOLVO SAYS “TRY SAILING!”

Tuesday
May 21
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

PROMOTING SAILING – Continuing its long-term support for British Sailing, Volvo Car UK has launched the ‘Volvo Sailing Academy’ initiative – a series of free, family-friendly sailing and powerkiting experiences to introduce beginners, young and old, to the sports. Here Olympic silver medalist, Saskia Clark treats guests to an exclusive sailing experience at Hayling Island Sailing Club open day www.volvocarssailing.co.uk/sailing-academy

Posted in Moving Pictures, Sailing - Tagged sailing, sailing news, VOLVO

SNATCHING DEFEAT FROM THE JAWS OF VICTORY

Monday
May 20
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

SAILING ABOARD GRYPHON SOLO2 – Here is an onboard acount of the Atlantic Cup race from Gryphon Solo2:

Hello friends,

Well… we came pretty darn close to winning this one but somehow manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

As we approached Montauk and Block Island in first place, we studied the Eldridge tide tables, pulled down weather info and finally decided to go around Block Island to the East, hoping for stronger winds and a more neutral (less unfavorable) tide. We also thought the pack of boats we were leading – Bo Dream, Le Coq Cuisine and Forty Degrees were going the same way. As it turned out, we bet wrong. Once we committed to the eastern path, Bo Dream and Le Coq peeled off to leeward, telling me later that they did not think they could catch us so they opted for the westerly route.

The distance sailed in that route is slightly less than on our easterly route, so as we came back together just past point Judith, Bo dream was slightly ahead and we were about even with LeCoq. However, they had a slightly hotter sailing angle to Newport and they ended up finishing slightly in front of us, so we took third place instead of first. Disappointing.

Oh well – we hit the dock at Newport Harbor Hotel, congratulated all competitors, as everyone had sailed well and finished within 46 minutes of each other, which is pretty amazing after more than 260 miles of racing. The whole group retired to the Clark Cook House on the waterfront in Newport for burgers and beers and it was nice to unwind and get out of the rain.

So, in retrospect, the good news is that we sailed the boat well and confirmed that we have boat speed comparable to any boat given the right sail choice, ballast configuration and trim, so we go into the inshore series optimistic for better result. We currently sit in third place, and hope to move up in the standings over the six inshore races in Narragansett Bay.

So, thanks as always for tuning in - it was pretty darn exciting racing on the water and I hope everyone enjoyed the action on the race tracker

We will be back on the airways on Friday with an update.

Cheers
Joe Harris

For more updates on the Atlantic Cup visit http://atlanticcup.org. And you can find an in-depth look at Joe’s expectations for the race at http://www.gryphonsolo2.com. Best of luck to all racers!

Posted in Racing, Sailing - Tagged atlantic cup, GRYPHON SOLO2, sailing sailing news

LUNA ROSSA DEFIES RACE OFFICIAL’S ORDERS

Monday
May 20
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

AC NEWS – Luna Rossa AC72 sailed for the first time in San Francisco in the bay this weekend where the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup regattas will take place starting July 7th.

With an early morning roll out, Luna Rossa sailed in light winds (3 knots) that increased up to 12 and allowed the crew to carry out an extensive number of maneuvers.
The training session lasted about three hours.

Luna Rossa Challenge 2013 skipper Max Sirena declared: “The weather today was ideal for our first trial out on the water; from a technical standpoint it allowed us to test safety measures, loads and maneuvers.

However the really significant aspect was psychological: it was important for the crew to resume sailing on the AC72 and to get back into its normal training mode to prepare for the upcoming races. In the next few days we will continue with our training and development program as scheduled.”

Posted in Racing, Sailing - Tagged americas cup, sailing news sailing

LIGHT AIR RACING IN KOREA CUP

Monday
May 20
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

KOREA CUP – After two days of inshore races on 16 and 17 May, the first offshore leg of the 2013 Korea Cup International Yacht Race got underway on Saturday 18 May from the city of Uljin.

This first of two offshore legs, took the 25 teams on a challenging 86 nautical mile race track offshore to the volcanic island of Ulleung, with light conditions dominating the early stage of the race and really testing the crews as the boats inched forward in the easterly swell and southerly waves.

The race got underway at 1400 hours local time, with separate starts for the ORC fleet and Open Class, under the watchful eyes of the team on the Koreana, a 42 metre four masted schooner which must be one of the most impressive Race Committee boats.

As the fleet headed offshore, away from the eastern coastline of South Korea and out to the East Sea, they were bunched closely together, with no team able to find an advantage as they headed downwind in the light breeze. Fortunately, the breeze increased further offshore and first to seize an advantage were the all Korean crew on the race favourite Linda Vista, an Open 60 who broke free of the pack and increased their lead as they heading off on a northerly track. Behind them, the majority of the fleet opted for a more southerly route, including the other likely contender for line honours, Team Bare Essentials, a 56 foot custom build with a crew from Korea, New Zealand and the USA on board. Equipment damage in the increasing breeze for the crew of Diva, who ripped their spinnaker and were quickly forced into a sail change to stay in the game.

The breeze continued to build further offshore, with the yachts fully powered up and driving downwind with the prospect of faster leg times and an earlier arrival on the volcanic island of Ulleung. As night set in,

more teams joined the tussle at the front of the pack, including Team Bare Essentials whose option to take the more southerly route had rewarded them with the lead at the halfway stage of the race. As expected though, the game changes increased under cover of darkness, and after a long night of racing by morning Linda Vista had reclaimed the lead and went on to take the race line honours.

The teams will race an inshore series on Monday 20 May, before heading to the next stop of the race, Dokdo island, from where the second offshore leg back to the city of Uljin gets underway on Tuesday 21 May.

About the Korea Cup International Yacht Race

The Korea Cup International Yacht Race takes place off the eastern coastline of Korea from 16-22 May. 2013 marks the 6^th edition of this week long event, which is Korea’s largest and most renowned yachting event, attracting sailors all over the world, including Asia, Europe, Americas and Oceania, to race in a series of inshore and offshore races.

Event Website: www.koreacup.org

Posted in Racing, Sailing - Tagged KOREA CUP, sailing, sailing news

IAN WILLIAMS WINS IN GERMANY

Monday
May 20
2013 Leave a Comment

Written by XS Editor 2

AWMRT – Lake Constance left it right until the last moment to get uncooperative at Match Race Germany. An ominous-looking rain cloud was on its way across the third largest lake in Europe from Switzerland, sucking all the wind out of the vicinity and causing PRO Rudi Magg to draw proceedings to a close.

This handed victory at Match Race Germany to British helm Ian Williams and his American/Australian crew of Mal Parker and Bill Hardesty, supplemented on this occasion by stand-ins Graham Spence and Willem Van Waay. Williams’ GAC Pindar crew won today’s single Finals match against Adam Minoprio and his all-Kiwi Team Alpari FX crew of Nick Blackman, Chris Main, Tom Powrie and David Swete; reigning Alpari World Match Racing Tour champion (Williams), up against the 2009 champion (Minoprio).

A little slow out of the blocks in the Semi Finals yesterday, Williams was 1-2 down against Johnie Berntsson’s Stena Sailing Team crew as proceedings came to a close last night. However the GAC Pindar crew fought back this morning to take the next two points, to gain their berth in the final.

In his Semi Final match Minoprio had less to do this morning, scoring a come-from-behind win against France’s experienced Mathieu Richard and his GEFCO Match Racing Team to take him through on a 3-1 scoreline.

“We had a nice lead, maybe 8-10 boatlengths during the first run,” explained Richard after a long team de-brief. “But then we ran out of wind, and completely stopped while they had a little breeze coming from behind. Often in those conditions it is not too bad to be behind and they showed us that today as they were able to overtake us. It is very disappointing and a bit frustrating, but that is how it is.”

Otherwise the Frenchman, who heralds from La Baule on the Atlantic coast, was pleased with the performance of his GEFCO Match Racing Team in what is their first Tour event since St Moritz last year. Richard will be back for Korea Match Cup next week followed by Stena Match Cup Sweden at the beginning of July.

In this afternoon’s only Finals race, held once again in very light winds, Minoprio held up his hand, acknowledging that he had made a meal of the pre-start. “I forgot how long these boats take to gybe and I wasted a minute doing two gybes so we were late for the line. It was my mistake, I was kicking myself at the start of the race.”

From there all he could do was chase the GAC Pindar crew around the course, who in turn did an immaculate job of covering their Kiwi opponents.

Minoprio felt the Race Committee was correct to draw racing to a close prematurely and was gracious in defeat. “There is no wind at the moment,” he observed. “Ian sailed better than us in the one race we had and he won Qualifying – he deserves the win here. We sailed very poorly in that final race against him and we didn’t deserve it.”

However Minoprio reckoned it was a solid start to his come-back season. “Second is good points for the overall Championship and puts the pressure on everyone else.”

Williams was pleased with victory, a first in his lengthy match racing career at Match Race Germany, even if the last part of the event was curtailed. He felt he sailed the last race well.

“It was really light which meant manoeuvres were really costly. We did a nice job of keeping Adam down – he had to do a couple of gybes in the last minute before the start and that cost him a bit of speed which allowed us to be faster and closer to the line at start time. Then we did two less tacks on both beats and that is what allowed us to draw away by the finish.”

Victory at Match Race Germany, makes for a solid start to Williams and the GAC Pindar team’s campaign to win the Alpari World Match Racing Tour for a record setting fifth time.

“I haven’t been here in Langenargen for a couple of years,” admitted Williams. “They put on a great show here. The conditions are often difficult, but I like the big boats, they are impressive. Plus there is a good crowd turn-out here and the event works well for the local economy, so long may it continue.”

James Pleasance, Executive Director of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour felt that the beginning of the 2013 season had gone well: “It has been a fantastic week for the first stage of the 2013 Alpari World Match Racing Tour, and a good shakedown event for all the teams. The boats here are bigger and heavier and the teams have really had to find their stride in the variable lake conditions. But a great win for Ian and GAC Pindar, and against a former Tour Champion in the final as well. This Tour season is going be very close indeed.”

FINAL RESULTS

Ian Williams (GBR) GAC Pindar vs Adam Minoprio (NZL) Team Alpari FX 1-0

PETIT FINAL RESULTS

Mathieu Richard (FRA) GEFCO Match Racing Team vs Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Stena Sailing Team 1-0

FINAL SEMI FINAL RESULTS

Mathieu Richard (FRA) GEFCO Match Racing Team vs Adam Minoprio (NZL) Team Alpari FX 1-3

Ian Williams (GBR) GAC Pindar v Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Stena Sailing Team 2-2

LEADERBOARD AFTER STAGE 1 – MATCH RACE GERMANY
1 Ian Williams (GBR) – Team GAC Pindar 25

2 Adam Minoprio (NZL) – Team Alpari FX 22

3 Mathieu Richard (FRA) – GEFCO Match Racing Team 19

4 Johnie Berntsson (SWE)- Stena Sailing Team 16

5 Taylor Canfield (ISV) – USone 14

6 Björn Hansen (SWE) – Mekonomen Sailing Team 12

7 Karol Jablonski (POL) – Jablonski Sailing Team 10

8 Pierre-Antoine Morvan (FRA) – Vannes Agglo Sailing Team 8

9 Phil Robertson (NZL) – WAKA Racing 4

10 Keith Swinton (AUS) – Black Swan Racing 2

11 Philip Buhl (GER) – STG/NRV Youth Team 0

12 Sven Erick-Horsch (GER) – NRV Match Race Team 0

For more high resolution images of the day: http://wmrt.photoshelter.com/

Password: awmrt

Posted in Racing, Sailing - Tagged AWMRT, sailing, sailing news

Posts in category News

DRAG RACING ON THE BAY

THRILLS AND DRAMA ON LAST DAY

HOBIE CAT SAILING IN 70 KNOTS OF WIND

THE TRANSAT HAS A DATE

SPLIT OR COVER

EASTERN STARS

THERE’S A NEW MAXI IN TOWN

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ANDREW ‘BART’ SIMPSON MEMORIAL SERVICE ANNOUNCED

SPERRY TOP-SIDER/ICSA WOMEN’S SEMI-FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP

EUROPEAN TORNADO CHAMPS SPEAK!

RAINY AND COLD CONDITIONS

KIDS LEARNING TO WINDSURF

LUNA ROSSA ASKS FOR CHANGES IN AMERICA’S CUP

‘CHALLENGED AMERICA’ NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

VOLVO SAYS “TRY SAILING!”

SNATCHING DEFEAT FROM THE JAWS OF VICTORY

LUNA ROSSA DEFIES RACE OFFICIAL’S ORDERS

LIGHT AIR RACING IN KOREA CUP

IAN WILLIAMS WINS IN GERMANY

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