Mathieu Richard wins St Moritz Match Race event

by Event media on 8 Sep 2008 After the semi-finals were completed Sunday it was Mathieu Richard versus Ian Williams in the finals. Finally Mathieu Richard was crowned the ‘King of the Mountain’ today in St Moritz after beating Ian Williams 2 - 0 in a light wind final.

In the first match, a split tack saw Richard take an early lead but not enough to be able to cross in front of Williams. As the teams approached the top mark on opposite tacks, Richard on Port, they both luffed head to wind but Richard just had enough speed to wriggle around the bow of Team Pindar to take the lead.

'Mathieu was faster off the start in both races, and that’s what won him the races. For some reason we weren’t able to attack or defend this afternoon,' said Williams at the press conference after racing.

In the petitfinal Adam Minoprio went head to head with Philippe Presti. While Minoprio won the first race, Presti went on to take the next two and secure 3rd place. 'Every location is different, St Moritz has beautiful mountains surrounding the lake but there is not a lot of wind so you have to do the best you can in the conditions' commented Presti after racing.

When the day finally finished after eight hours of on and off rain, Principal Race Officer Christian Scherrer told spectators 'Today has been especially difficult, with the pressure of the cut off time and trying to make sure we avoided a tie, so I’m glad we got through it'.

The new ‘King of the Mountain’ and St Moritz Match Race 2008 champion is Mathieu Richard with his crew of Greg Evrad, Olivier Herledant and Jean Marie Dauris. 'Today we had good speed, good trimming and good tactics,' said Richard, 'of course it is good to beat Ian. He is still winning the tour, but we are putting the pressure on him and not letting him get too far ahead.'

Currently Ian Williams leads the World Match Racing Tour with 92 points, followed by Mathieu Richard on 72 points.

Final:
Mathieu Richard – 2, Ian Williams – 0

PetitFinal:
Philippe Presti – 2, Adam Minoprio 1

Semi Finals
Ian Williams – 2, Adam Minoprio – 0
Mathieu Richard – 2, Philippe Presti – 0

ST MORITZ MATCH RACE 2008 FINAL PLACINGS

1st Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team / French Spirit
2nd Ian Williams (GBR)Team Pindar
3rd Philippe Presti (FRA) French Match Racing Team / French Spirit
4th Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ / BlackMatch
5th Sebastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/K Challenge
6th Peter Wibroe (DEN) Wibroe Sailing Team
7th Jes Gram Hansen (DEN) Mascalzone Latino / Trifork Racing
8th Eric Monnin (SUI) search.ch
9th Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Alandia Sailing Team
10th Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
11th Paolo Cian (ITA) Shosholoza
12th Michael Hestbaek (DEN) Team Hestbaek