Minoprio wins in Poland

30 knot gusts and a dismasting were features of the final day of the Toyota Sopot Match Race 2008 ISAF Grade 1

In the final of the Toyota Sopot Match Race 2008 ISAF Grade 1 Adam Minoprio (NZ) defeated Eric Monnin (SUI). In the fight for the third place Keith Swinton (AUS) has won with Ian Ainslie from Republic of South Africa

It was a great day here in Sopot today: sun lots of wind, one broken mast and great show for the large number of spectators on the Sopot pier.

Saturday was the day of surprises. All expected Trorvar Misky in and Staffan Lindberg to reach the semis but that was not to take place. Top 4 after the quarterfinal where: Swinton, Minoprion, Ainslie and the surprise of the day - Monnin - who also won the sponsor race and got the TAG Heuer watch. Adam Minoprio managed to qualify for the final with a clear 3-0 defeat of Team Shosholoza's Ainslie. The other semifinal between Swinton and Monin turned out to be a real battle and Monnin won it with a 3-1.

The attraction on the final day was even better: already during the skippers' meeting there was 15 knots of wind and by the time of the start of the first flight this had increased to 25 knots. There were many lead changes in the first flight off both matches - in the petit final the young talent from Australia, Keith Swinton, managed to beat Ian Ainslie 2-1.

The final matches where even harder with lead change after lead change in all races with the breeze now gusting up to 30 knots. At the 4 minute signal just when Adam Minoprio’s crew was entering the start box suddenly the mast came crashing down.

With a new boat the first race was sailed in great conditions, and the winner was again Minoprio, giving him the well deserved 3 point to win the event. Adam Minoprio's crew was Dave Swete, Tom Powrie, Nick Blackman and on Eric Monnin's boat was, Marc Monnin, Simon Brugger, Yann Maillet. End result 3:1.

Final standings of the Toyota Sopot Match Race 2008 ISAF Grade 1 :
1.Adam Minoprio (NZ) Black Match Racing
2.Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Race Team
3.Keith Swinton (AUS) Black Swan Racing
4.Ian Ainslie (RSA)
5.Peter Wibroe (DEN) Wibroe Sailing Team
6.Staffan Lindberg (FIN) Alandia Sailing Team
7.Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Yachting Australia
8.Andrew Arbuzov (RUS) Arbuzov Team
9.Przemek Tarnacki (POL) Tarnacki Racing
10.Eugeniy Neugodnikov (RUS) Ecowave – Lord of the Sail
11.Rafał Sawicki (POL)
12.Marek Stańczyk (POL) Polish Match Tour/Nautiner