St. Moritz Match Race – Hard first day for The Wave Muscat
by Kinley Fowler on 1 Sep 2011
Mirsky, Robertson and Clerc all out in practice - St Moritz Match Race 2011 Chris Davies/AWMRT
St. Moritz Match Race, the sixth stage of the World Match Racing Tour, is currently underway on Lake St Moritz in the Engadin Valley.
New Challenges and tough conditions on the lake of St. Moritz meant a hard first day's racing for The Wave Muscat, but they approach day two in fourth place with high hopes and improvements to be made.
With just a few points separating the top of the World Tour leaderboard, The Wave Muscat hit the water on the first day's racing in picturesque St. Moritz with the overall championship far from their minds.
The team's bowman, Graeme Spence is in training with the America's Cup challengers China Team, giving The Wave Muscat a new hurdle to overcome.
This is the first event for Spence to miss out on since Mirsky started his campaign for the World Match Racing Tour title in 2007, but his absence is giving The Wave Muscat's pitman Tudur Owen an opportunity to step up to the plate.
'I have a new found appreciation for Graeme's work.' said a jubilant Owen after the racing was completed. 'These boats are insanely busy for the bowman, made even harder with short courses. However I am relishing the challenge and definitely becoming a stronger sailor from it.'
Despite the change, the team didn't lack results, and finished the day in fourth place with three wins and two losses.
Standings after the First Qualifying Session:
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 5-0
Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team 5-0
Pierre-Antoine Morvan (FRA) Extreme Team Morbihan 4-1
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) The Wave Muscat 3-2
Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 3-2
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Mekonomen Sailing Team 3-2
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Bruni Racing 2-3
Phil Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing 2-3
Jepser Radich (DEN) Adrian Lee & Partners 1-4
Eric Monnin (SUI) Oklays Corum Sailing Team 1-4
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 1-4
Jérôme Clerc (SUI) Team CER 0-5
Wave Muscat Team St. Moritz Match Race World Match Racing Tour website
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