Knickerbocker Cup 2013 - Difficult day 2

by Knickerbocker Cup on 31 Aug 2013 The second day at Manhasset Bay Yacht Club’s Knickerbocker Cup was full of surprises. Yesterday’s leader, Stephanie Roble, Epic Racing (USA) had what could only be called a really difficult day.

She won her first match against Chris Poole, Riptide Racing (USA), but it went downhill from there. She lost her next three matches again Nicolai Sehested, TRE-FOR Match Racing (DEN), Eric Monnin, Okalys-Corum (SUI) and Mark Lees, Team Echo Sail Racing (GBR).

This was a huge win for Lees who had not won any of his matches up to this point. Because of Roble’s excellent performance yesterday, she managed to secure a place in the Quarter Finals but just couldn’t do much against her opponent, Eric Monnin, who shut her down in a three-zero first to three match. Monnin moves on to the Semi-finals on Saturday while Roble is done at this year’s KCup.

In the other Quarter–final match, Nicolai Sehested, who won the Round Robin, chose as his opponent Stratis Andreadis, Atalanti Racing/Black Goat Offshore (GRE) and easily dispatched them three-zero. Sehested was brilliant in his skillful boat handling, starting with the first match when he forced Andreadis over early and dominated the start, and proceeded to lead throughout the match. It looked like it would be a slam-dunk for Sehested, but Andreadis closed the gap.

Sehested would have nothing to do with this and extended his lead over Andreadis at the top mark by 25 seconds. In their second match, Sehested forced a penalty on Andreadis leaving them with a penalty and out of position at the start. Andreadis, who was so far behind at the start and carrying a penalty, had little chance to catch Sehested. It was do or die for Andreadis in the third match, but that one went to Sehested and Andreadis was eliminated. Sehested commented: 'We won the round robin and got to pick our opponent and we picked the Greek team, Stratis Andreadis.

We felt we were strong against them. And we were right! We ended with three-nil and move on to the Semis. So tomorrow we pick our opponent – someone we hope we can beat and then move into the Finals. We are doing a lot of racing and trying to stay hungry and focused. Hopefully tomorrow evening we will have more to say!' Last year, this young team came in a close second to William Tiller, Full Metal Jacket Racing (NZL) who has since gone on to race with the Alpari World Match Racing Tour.

Saturday’s racing will start with the final matches in the Quarter Finals. It will be David Gilmour, Team Gilmour (AUS) up against Taylor Canfield, USone (ISV), which Gilmour is winning two-nil. The other match-up to finish is between Dustin Durant, Long Beach Match Racing (USA) vs. Chris Poole, Riptide Racing (USA), Durant is ahead two-nil. Then it is on to the Semi-finals.

Many thanks to our sponsors: Investors Bank, West Marine, Daniel Gale/Sotheby’s International Realty and the Manhasset Bay Sailing Foundation. The Knickerbocker Cup Foundation is sharing net proceeds after all events with St. Francis Hospital.

Results after the Full Round Robin:
7-2 Nicolai Sehested (DEN)
7-2 Eric Monnin (SUI)
6-3 Stephanie Roble (USA)
6-3 Chris Poole (USA)
5-4 David Gilmour (AUS)
4-5 Taylor Canfield (ISV)
3-6 Dustin Durant (USA)
3-6 Stratis Andreadis (GRE)
2-7 Ashlen Rooklyn (AUS)
2-7 Mark Lees (GBR)

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