2009-12-03 ReleasedBy Lynn Fitzpatrick
December 4, 2009 (Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, ISV) – The first flights of Round Robin 1 at the 2nd Annual Carlos Aguilar Match Race were sailed today. Many of the races started with both boats heading on starboard right into the seawall in front of the competitors.
When Peter Holmberg introduced his team at the skippers meeting, he said, “Don’t call us old, call us wise.”
The team came out of match racing retirement and is performing like the Come Back Kids. They won all five flights that they sailed today. Their closest match was against defending champion, Taylor Canfield and his team, who were also undefeated going into the fifth and final flight in the Open Division.
Holmberg commented during a recap of the race, “We wanted to be in control by being to the right on the starting line. We knew that we would head to the wall on starboard. After a few short tacks in the controlling position, we were set. I have a bit of sympathy for Taylor, he was preoccupied with fixing his tiller extension during the pre-start.”
Jes Gram-Hansen and his sunburned Danish team also went undefeated today. Hansen is pleased with the team’s performance, but he said, “We’re on vacation and trying to spend as much time on the beach while we are here.” The Danes are not the only ones taking advantage of the spectacular weather by going windsurfing, snorkeling and swimming when they are not on the racecourse.
Open Division 2nd Annual Carlos Aguilar Match Race
Results following 5 flights in Round Robin 1
Frits Bus (AHO)- 5L, 0W
Taylor Canfield (ISV)- 1L, 4W
Juan Carlos Escobar (ESA) - 5L, 0W
Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) - 0L, 5W
Chris Haycraft (IVB) - 4L, 1W
Peter Holmberg (ISV) - 0L, 5W
Dave Perry (USA) - 1L, 4W
Colin Rathbun (IVB) - 4L, 1 W
Peter Holmberg (red) and Taylor Canfield (blue) off the starting line and into the viewing stands. Photo by Lynn Fitzpatrick - http://www.worldregattas.com/
