Baird and Spithill through

After semi-finals of Match Racing World Championship

American skipper Ed Baird and Australian James Spithill move on to the finals of the ISAF Match Racing World Championship.

During the semi-finals Spithill scored three consecutive wins against French skipper Mathieu Richard, while American Ed Baird the defending world
champion from Poland, Karol Jablonski 3-2.

All the matches were very close, sailed in the typical morning breeze on Lake Garda from the north.

The second match between Baird and Jablonski provided a good show, as Baird crossed the starting line late but was able to recover, gaining on his opponent and overtaking him in the last downwind run.

Match two between Spithill and Richard provided some good action, too, when Richard, in the lead, got a penalty in a very close mark rounding.

In the final match between Baird and Jablonski, tied 2-2, Baird chose and won the right at the start and was able to keep the lead successfully throughout the match, winning the crucial deciding point.

The finals will be sailed this afternoon once the southerly afternoon breeze kicks in. The first skipper to score three points will gain the title of match racing world champion.

Meanwhile Mathieu Richard and Karol Jablonski will compete in the petit-final for third and fourth placement. The first skipper to score two points wins the petit-final.

At the end of the day the ten best placed skippers will sail the S. Pellegrino fleet race.

RESULTS OF EACH FLIGHT SAILED TODAY ­ SEMIFINALS

FLIGHT 1
Jablonski def. Baird
Spithill def. Richard

FLIGHT 2
Baird def. Jablonski
Spithill def. Richard

FLIGHT 3
Baird def. Jablonski
Spithill def. Richard

FLIGHT 4
Jablonski def. Baird

FLIGHT 5
Baird def. Jablonski