Stena Match Cup - Ed Baird to compete in clash of titans at Marstrand

by Fabian Bengtsson on 18 Jun 2014 Sailing legend Ed Baird (USA) has received a wildcard invitation to compete in Stena Match Cup Sweden, the second stage of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour 2014. The double America’s Cup winner and three times Match Racing World Champion, now joins Magnus Holmberg in the line-up at Marstrand – spectators can look forward to a legendary battle during the event's 20th anniversary.

Earlier this week, one of Swedish sailing’s biggest names, Magnus Holmberg was presented as the second of two wildcard competitors in Stena Match Cup Sweden 2014. Now another legendary yachtsman who has made his mark on the event’s history joins him in the among the 14 elite teams entering the regatta.

'It's a privilege to be included and I've always enjoyed racing at Marstrand. The venue is a prefect location for match racing with just enough space for exciting races that are easily watched from the shore', says Ed Baird who has received the third of four wildcards to the event.

Ed Baird was a part of the line-up in the inaugural event at Marstrand in 1994 and has been a frequent guest and competitor in the regatta up until 2005. He has sailed four finals on Marstrand's Race Arena but a victory in the event is still missing on his impressive resume.

'We lost to Peter Gilmour in all those finals so I sure hope he won’t be invited this year. Still, it's such a terrific honour just to get to that stage of any event but to do it in Sweden with so many friends and supporters around is just great'.

Between the two of them, Holmberg and Baird have raced 16 semi-finals, but neither of them have reached all the way to lift the big trophy. Now they will once again be face to face on the starting line in one of the biggest match racing events in the world.

'Magnus is a fantastic opponent and I always enjoy racing against him, he's very aggressive but also very fair and I respect him for that. But more than that, Magnus has been a big part of making this event what it is and I really appreciate that.'

Magnus Holmberg, who was one of the founders of the event back in 1994, looks forward to being put against Ed Baird - just like old times.

'It’s great that there will be an extra twist when we race each other. Ed is always fast and tactical, he is cool and never gets carried away and you rarely see Ed having a bad day', says Holmberg.

Ed Baird was a coach for Team New Zealand’s winning America’s Cup team in 1995 and then won sailing's most sought after trophy as skipper of Team Alinghi in 2007. Since then he has been competing on the RC44 Championship Tour with which he has visited Marstrand. The team that will travel with him to Stena Match Cup Sweden comes from the crew he sails with, and recently became World Champion with, in the TP52 class. Baird has also entered a handful of match racing events the last couple of years and in 2013 he reached the final of the Congressional Cup in California. Soon he heads for an anticipated return to Stena Match Cup Sweden.

'It's been a lifetime of preparation in many ways. We hope we can put on a good show this year and if there is any chance to somehow to get to the top of podium, what a magical experience that would be'.

Quantum Racing
Ed Baird (USA) – Skipper
Sean Clarkson (NZL) – Tactician
Tom Burnham (USA) – Pitman
Brett Jones (AUS) – Trimmer
Phil Jameson (NZL) – Bowman

Line-up Stena Match Cup Sweden 2014
1. Ian Williams (GBR)
2. Björn Hansen (SWE)
3. Phil Robertson (NZL)
4. Keith Swinton (AUS)
5. Taylor Canfield (USA)
6. Francesco Bruni (ITA)
7. David Gilmour (AUS)
8. Mathieu Richard (FRA)
9. Wildcard 1 - Johnie Berntsson (SWE)
10. Wildcard 2 - Magnus Holmberg (SWE)
11. Wildcard 3 - Ed Baird (USA)
12. Wildcard 4
13. Qualifier VOLVO Spring Cup - Joachim Aschenbrenner (DEN)
14. Qualifier VOLVO Spring Cup - Ogeman (SWE)

Stena Match Cup Sweden 2013 attracted 118 000 visitors to Marstrand and the crowds followed the Swedish team behind Björn Hansen on their way to defend their title in the regatta. The event is oraganized by Brandspot together with the Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club and this year's edition will take place June 30th – July Sailing Sweden