Match racers head for the lakes

St Moritz Match Race will feature another showdown between Ian Williams and Mathieu Richard

Swiss sailing enthusiasts eagerly await the start of the sixth St. Moritz Match Race which takes place from 2-7 September 2008. Two of the current best match racers will be competing against each other at this years event: Ian Williams, current ISAF Match Racing World Champion and leader of the World Match Racing Tour, will meet Frenchmen Mathieu Richard, the leader of the ISAF Match Racing Rakings.

The competition for this year's 'King of the Mountain' title is fierce, with a line-up including the charismatic Italian Paolo Cian of Team Shosholoza. Cian will be keen to regain the title of 'King of the Mountain' after his victory back in 2006. Other America’s Cup Teams that will be represented are Sebastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/K Challenge, Mathieu Richard and Phillippe Presti (FRA) French Match Racing Team/French Spirit, and Adam Minoprio (NZL) Emirates Team New Zealand/Black Match Racing.

Jes Gram Hansen, Peter Wibroe, Michael Hestbaek, Bjorn Hansen and local hero Eric Monnin will all be in contention for the infamous title too. The Monnin brothers will be keen to repeat a similar performance to 2007 with the ultimate goal of making the final this year. They have not missed the event since it began back in 2003 and are hungrier than ever to win on their home waters.

An additional highlight this year is the Swiss Sailing Team AG who will be holding a press conference on Friday 5 September reporting back on the recent events of the Olympic Games in Qingdao. At the press conference will be sailors from the Swiss Olympic team, including Flavio Marazzi and Enrico de Maria, who narrowly missed out on medals. They will take part in the Guest Regatta and will be reporting back on the performance of the Blu 26 a new addition to St Moritz Match Race this year. The four man 8m boat has been especially developed by Bluboats for St Moritz Match Race and also for Fleet Racing on the beautiful Swiss lakes.

The action begins September 2nd and continues through to Sunday 7th when the “King of the Mountain” will be crowned.

Line-up (inc ISAF ranking):
Mathieu Richard (FRA, French Match Racing Team / French Spirit) 1
Ian Williams (GBR, Team Pindar) 2
Paolo Cian (ITA, Team Shosholoza) 3
Sebastien Col (FRA, French Match Racing Team / K-Challenge) 4
Björn Hansen (SWE, Alandia Sailing Team) 6
Torvar Mirsky (AUS, Mirsky Racing Team) 7
Adam Minoprio (NZL, Black Match Racing supported by Emirates Team New Zealand) 8
Philippe Presti (FRA, French Match Racing Team / French Spirit) 9
Eric Monnin (SUI, Team Search.ch) 11
Peter Wibroe, (DEN, Wibroe Sailing Team) 12
Jes Gram Hansen (DEN, Mascalzone Latino) 41
Michael Hestbek (DEN) 105