Adam Minoprio wins by default

No wind for the final day of racing at Match Race Germany

In exceptional circumstances, no race could be held on the final day of Match Race Germany. This played into the hands of Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, who won the regatta on his previous results.

The semi-final stage was cut short at midday after no morning racing. As a result Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team went through to the finals over a disappointed Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team at 2-1. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing cemented his finals spot after yesterday’s score of 2-1 over Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team.

As the air temperature soared to 26 degrees so too did the tension on board the race boats. The yellow and black ‘standby flag’ hung limply on the race committee’s boat which further infuriated the skippers who desperately needed action to be in with a champion chance. The anxiety of waiting for wind is tough on a crew’s mental focus and motivation. “It plays with your head”, said Peter Gilmour (AUS) Yanmar Racing.

Current ISAF Match Racing World Champion, Minoprio, kept his fingers crossed and joked with his bathing beauty team mates throughout the waiting room ordeal. For the Kiwi no racing meant a guaranteed number 1 finish. Nothing changed and by 16:00 hours the race committee stopped the dormant drifting and decided on a boat parade.

Winner Minoprio and his team shared their joy, “It’s unfortunate when no wind comes in. We felt we started sailing better as the regatta went on finishing the round robin on 8 wins with Richard and Williams. We have been fortunate enough today to take out the regatta”.

Radich, a newly rejuvenated match racer, was slightly down hearted on not being able to race the final. “It would have been great to race the current World Champion as my team and I were really on form to take on the final after winning the semi matches yesterday. I know tomorrow I will look back and be pleased with our performance and I am now having a serious think about getting back into match racing if I can keep this team together. It’s such a great sport to be in”.

In the overall 2010 Tour standings, France’s Richard stays in the lead and Minoprio takes an outstanding leap from 6th to 2nd place, with Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN in joint 3rd with Radich.

The ever diplomatic Richard, who was victor of Stage 1, was happy to share his thoughts. “It was a frustrating day. We felt we could have won the first 2 matches yesterday but we lost, so today we really wanted to race the semi-finals. Unfortunately the wind decided the results for us and being in third place is not a bad result, I can’t complain about it”. Richard is now looking forward to a debriefing with his team on this event and heading home for some relaxation time before Korea Match Cup in June, where they will be back stronger.

Day 5: Overall Standings

2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour Standings
(After Event 2 of 10)