WMRT Korea Match Cup 2011 skipper Peter Gilmour in top form

by World Match Racing Tour on 8 Jun 2011 Korea Match Cup 2011 is the third stage of the World Matching Racing Tour, being held in the Gyeonggi Province from 8th to 12th June.

Four-time Match Racing World Champion Peter Gilmour emerged as one of the on-form skippers in a feisty first day of racing. Gilmour (AUS) Yanmar Racing finished the first Qualifying Session with four wins from five races including important victories over fellow countryman Torvar Mirsky (AUS) The Wave Muscat and Phil Robertson (NZL) Waka Racing.

It was an action-packed start to the racing which saw a number of skippers lay their intentions bare on the waters of Jeongok harbour.. Over nine flights and with a light breeze of around six to 12 knots, the sailors’ skills were put to the test as they went head-to-head in the specially-designed KM36 yachts.

Gilmour, one of the most respected and feared competitors on the Tour, was only defeated by last year’s Korea Match Cup winner Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team and finishes the day at the top of the scoreboard.

'It was a good first day for us with plenty of action,' said Gilmour. 'It’s pretty brutal out there. You make one mistake and the other guys will pounce on you. The key is definitely to sail clean and slick. It’s early days but we’re feeling pretty good after day one.'

Standings after the first Qualifying Session:
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 4-1
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Bruni Racing 3-1
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 3-1
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) The Wave Muscat 3-2
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 3-2
Bjorn Hansen (DEN) Mekonomen Sailing Team 2-2
Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 2-2
Paul Campbell-James (GBR) Dream Team 2-3
Phil Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing 2-3
Reuben Corbett (NZL) AON Racing Team 1-2
Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team 1-4
Sung Wook Kim (KOR) Busan Match Team World Match Racing Tour website