Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Game on in Bermuda Gold Cup




Three-groups, 24-team field complete three flights each in gear-busting conditions - World Tour leaders emerge at the top of the standings.

Hamilton, Bermuda: In conditions which featured blustery north breezes approaching 25 knots in strength, the action was fast and furious in Hamilton Harbour for the first day of Round Robin racing at the King Edward VII Gold Cup, presented by Argo Group. With 24 invited teams divided into three group of eight, this event has the largest field of competitors of any on the 2008 World Match Racing Tour, and after three flights of racing in each group the regular Tour team are emerging towards the top of the standings.

Undefeated in his Group 1, Mattias Rahm (SWE) and his Stena Bulk Sailing Team have not appeared in a Tour event since their win at Stage 4, Match Cup Sweden in Marstrand. Rahm attributed his success today to practice sessions he’s had with fellow Swede Johnie Berntsson in the traditional-style International One Designs (IOD’s) which are used in this event and to which they have access back home.

“These boats are very heavy, and turn slowly, so planning your moves is very important,” said Rahm. For his part, Berntsson, competing in Group 3, nearly had the same 3-0 record as Rahm but for one penalty turn performed on the finish line with just a few metres shy of what was needed to defeat local Bermudian Blythe Walker in the last flight of the day.

Current Tour leader Ian Williams (GBR) and his Team Pindar also had an undefeated day, but due to damage sustained on rival Andy Horton’s (USA) boat in Group 2, the pair’s match today was postponed until tomorrow. So besides Berntsson and Williams, no less than six other teams who frequent the Tour - Sebastian Col and his French Match Racing Team/K-Challenge, Bjorn Hansen (SWE) and his Alandia Sailing Team, Adam Minoprio (NZL) and his Emirates Team New Zealnd/BlackMatch Racing Team, Torvar Mirsky (AUS) and his Mirsky Racing Team, and Damien Iehl and his French Match Racing Team – are all on two points after the day’s racing. Other teams on two points include Pierre-Antoine Morvan (FRA) and Keith Swinton (USA), while the remaining teams in the field are either on one point or are looking for their first win.