2015 US Grand Slam Series - Sam Gilmour takes Detroit Cup and Series

by Neptune Racing on 2 Sep 2015 21 year old Sam Gilmour, son of the famous matchracer Peter Gilmour and younger brother of David Gilmour is busy carving his way into the Match Racing scene.

His Neptune Racing Team has struck significant success in recent times as they report-

'The Grand Slam Series consists of four back-to-back regattas across the USA, incorporating the Knickerbocker Cup, Oakcliff International, Chicago Match Cup and Detroit Cup. This year, nineteen teams contested the series, ultimately coming down to a sudden death match to decide the winner of it all.

'The Detroit Cup, held out of Bayview Yacht Club was the venue for the finale, with four teams still in the running to take out the series. Neptune Racing had a slim margin over Perth sailors Redline Racing (skippered by Matt Jerwood), whilst US based Pequot Race Team (David Storrs) and New Zealanders 36 Below Racing (Chris Steele) sat in third and fourth respectively.

'With the series format requiring a team to score their three best regatta results, the team who won in Detroit would also go home with the series trophy.

'Light, flukey conditions were the trend of the week in Detroit, making it far from easy racing. Fortunately for Neptune Racing, the team excelled, going through qualifying dropping just two races out 14, topping the field into finals!

'With a serious lack of wind and an oncoming time limit, race organisers decided for a single race, winner-take-all final, the team matched up against Redline Racing. Trading blows upwind, the boats stayed within two boat lengths up the first lap of the course.

'The turning point came where the guys managed an overtake on leg two, blocking Redline Racing from gybing to the mark and overtaking them into the final legs of the course. From there, the team protected the lead ferociously, extending out to four lengths by the top mark, a lead just big enough to defend to the finish and take for the win!

'Finally some consistency had paid off for the team, who took the trophy having had four podium results. The win came with it an invitation to the Congressional Cup, a World Tour event and the oldest trophy in match racing today. To top things off, the team was awarded a hand-made Shinola watch - a fine Detroit made time piece.

'This result ends an eye opening month for the guys, having felt a great deal of improvement throughout. It also presented the opportunity to sail Marstom 32 Catamarans, the 2016 World Match Racing Tour class. Check out an awesome clip of that here.

'For now, we spend a couple days to travel to Europe before getting back into racing at the Baltic Championship, followed by the Youth Match Racing World Championships!

'We are looking forward to getting back out there in the coming weeks.'