Detroit Cup – Sam Gilmour undefeated and leads after Day 1

by Luiz E. Kahl on 28 Aug 2015 In a day of light but sailable conditions on the Detroit River, Australian Sam Gilmour and his Neptune Racing team has taken the early lead in the 2015 edition, hosted by Bayview YC. Gilmour was undefeated in the five matches he raced today, with seven flights completed in the double-round robin format of the first stage of the event, which runs through Sunday, August 30th.

Also on five points but with one loss on his scorecard is the current runner-up, reigning US match racing champion Nathan Hollerbach. While living in Chicago now, Bayview YC is his home club, and the Detroit River a familiar racing venue for his match race history.

“Its great to be back here racing at Bayview,” said Hollerbach,”but Boy, was it tough out there today. You really had to pay attention.”

The weak offshore northerly at four to eight knots swung widely in direction and pressure, keeping PRO Brian Keith and his team busy with course changes to stay in phase with the shifts. There were numerous lead changes in many matches, with teams rewarded for their better read of the fickle conditions and positioning themselves to take advantage of the light puffs and shifts as they rolled through the course.

On four points earned thus far is the highest-ranked competitor in the field - world number seven ranked Chris Steele and his 36 Below Racing team from New Zealand – but he has also lost two matches in the six he has raced. Thus New York-based Chris Poole and his Riptime Racing Team is in third place on his four points because of his one loss to Patrik Sturesson and his Team Accure from Sweden.

Current standings:
1. Sam Gilmour (AUS) Five points
2. Nathan Hollerbach (USA) Five
3. Chris Poole (USA) Four
4. Chris Steele (NZL) Four
5. Ryan Seago (USA) Three
6. Matt Jerwood (AUS) Two
7. Patrik Sturesson (SWE) Two
8. David Storrs (USA) One
10. Chris Van Tol (USA) One
10. David Niemann (USA) One

The Detroit Cup is the fourth and final event on the Grade 2 USA GRAND SLAM series, with the winner of the series receiving an invitation to the Grade WC Congressional Cup at Long Beach YC in 2016.