King Edward VII Gold Cup- Four way tie

by Event Media on 16 Oct 2005 With winds gusting up to 25 knots on the Bermuda Harbour in Hamilton Bermuda, sailing got under way with gusto on Saturday in the Qualifying event for the Investors Guaranty presentation of the King Edward VII Gold Cup. Three teams including Cameron Dunn from New Zealand, Takumi Nakamura of Japan and Elizabeth Kratzig representing the Czech Republic lead the field with 3 wins and one loss after 23 races were sailed on the day.

Good starts were the key since the boats had to sail without spinnakers due to the 20 knot+ gusty conditions. Most boats that won the start stayed ahead for the whole course because downwind spinnaker sailing gives the best chance for passing. Penalties, however, did make a difference.

In Cameron Dunn's match with Ian Ainslie, Dunn got a penalty after colliding with the stern of Ainslie's yacht, but then forced his rival up beyond the upwind mark and was able to make his penalty turn before Ainslie could recover.

John Cutler, substituting for Karol Jablonskii (Poland) on the day, built up an early lead over Nakamura, but then tacked too close and was given a penalty. Closing on the finish line with a three boat-lenth lead, Cutler tried to expunge his penalty right at the last moment, but failed to keep clear of his opponent and got another flag.

Elizabeth Kratzig (Rocketeer sailing Team), the lone woman in the 'open' qualifying event, had an excellent day. She rounded the weather mark behind Alec Cutler the Bermuda National Match Race Champion, but then forced Cutler out past the downwind mark and took the lead.

Kratzig from Miami Florida, who is sailing under the Czech Republic colours said she has a good day and had been helped from a good team made up of Jonathan Farrar, an IOD Champion, Mark Mendleblatt, Mark Strube and Lenka Smidova.

King Edward VII Gold Cup Unseeded Skippers (with ISAF Open rankings) include: Eric MONNIN, #22, (Switzerland), Scott DICKSON, #27 (USA), Takumi NAKAMURA, #36 (Japan), Karol JABLONSKI, #44 (Poland), Bill HARDESTY, #52 (USA), Rasmus VILTOFT, #57 (Denmark), Brian ANGEL #110 (USA), Cameron DUNN, #151 (New Zealand), Ian AINSLIE, #188 (South Africa), Cameron Appleton (New Zealand) #192, Alec CUTLER, #245 (USA and 2005 Bermuda Match Racing Champion), and Elizabeth KRATZIG, #363 (USA).

After a practice day on Wednesday for the seeded skippers and for the women's winners who will transition from J24's to IOD's, the real Gold Cup sailing starts with the six unseeded skippers and the two top women from the Virtual Spectator Women's Match Racing World Championship facing the daunting challenge of racing against an awesome field of world-class sailing talent in hopes of reaching the finals. All of the Gold Cup skippers have a chance at winning The King Edward VII Gold Cup and a share of the $100,000 purse.

About The King Edward VII Gold Cup: www.kingedwardviigoldcup.com

The King Edward VII Gold Cup is scheduled for October 15-23, 2005 set in Hamilton Harbour just feet from the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. The unique format of The King Edward VII Gold Cup, sailed in Bermuda's famous International One Design sloops, includes a Grade 3 qualifying event where the top six skippers advance to round one of the tournament and face the eight seeded skippers along with the winner and runner-up of the Virtual Spectator ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship 2005 to be sailed in J24's. The winner of The King Edward VII Gold Cup will be presented with The King Edward VII Trophy and a share of the $100,000 prize purse. The King Edward VII Gold Cup has been the leader in innovations for match racing events, introducing the shore-side, spectator-friendly venue of Hamilton Harbour and also pioneering the use of on-the-water judging, now the norm throughout the world.

About The Virtual Spectator ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship:

The Virtual Spectator ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship 2005, scheduled for October 15-18, 2005, is also set in Hamilton Harbour just off the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. ISAF will present the prizes on Tuesday October 19th, and the winner and runner up will be invited to participate in the Investors Guaranty presentation of The King Edward Vll Gold Cup Match Racing Tournament. The first place skipper will be known as The 2005 Virtual Spectator ISAF Women's Match Racing World Champion. All twelve competitors will share the $25,000 purse: first prize is $5000; second prize $3500; third prize $2750; and fourth prize $2500.

About The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club: www.rbyc.bm

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club is a private Club and is the third oldest club holding a Royal Warrant outside the British Isles. The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club was established on the 1st of November 1844 by a party of thirty gentlemen, consisting largely of officers in the British Army. There are now approximately 850 resident and non-resident members.