Upsets at Monsoon Cup

by Rob Kothe on 30 Nov 2006 Live action, until mid-afternoon, a succession of squalls are coming through the course from offshore, each one produces an 40-90 degree wind shift, then the rain stops the breeze softens to a dying breeze. It then flicks back to the gradient and starts all over again.

The first flights have been sailed. Adam Minoprio from BlackMatch Racing versus Peter Gilmour's Pro Sailing Team, started in light breeze. Minoprio was leading, but with a penalty when that race was abandoned, with a severe wind change in the squall.

In the balance of the first flight, Ian Williams' Team Pindar has defeated Paolo Cian from Team Shosholoza, Sebastien Col from Areva Challenge has defeated Mathieu Richard from Saba Sailing.

Jesper Bank from United Internet Team Germany has defeated Tan Wearn Haw from Team China. Gilmour and Minoprio will resail later in the round robin series.

Post squall conditions are light again. Jesper Bank took a second win against Sebastien Col and Frenchman Mathieu Richard defeated Singaporean Tan Wearn Haw.

Alinghi's Peter Holmberg defeated Adam Minoprio and then Peter Gilmour beat Bjorn Hansen from Team Apport.Net

More postponements, with Principal Race Officer John Rosser frustrated with the rapid weather and wind changes.

One of the pairings in flight three is Peter Holmberg versus Peter Gilmour. They two skippers are considered two of the most aggressive starters on the World Match circuit. Yet another postponement, as Holmberg squeezed around the committee boat, was over early, but was saved by a postponement flag as the wind shifted in the last few seconds on the pre-start.

Now another try, with Gilmour and Holmberg back into the box. There is adverse current on the left and that means both skippers will be wanting to win on the right. Gilmour came down the line on port tack and has won the start and is heading right. Now Gilmour is covering, as he approaches the top mark. Gilmour has sailed away from Holmberg and has taken the gun.

In the Asian shoot-out between Tiffany Koo of Selangor Gapurna and Tan Wearn Haw, Koo was 35 seconds ahead at the top mark and has extended at the leeward mark.

Luna Rossa's James Spithill has won against Adam Minoprio and Mathieu Richard beat Bjorn Hansen.

Holmberg commented dockside. ‘It was Peter’s (Gilmour’s) great start that decided the race. We still feel good about our chances in this regatta. It’s a difficult course, so it will be the guys who sail loose and cool.’

Gilmour commented, ‘We were only a second off being over at the start, that gave us a big lead. I misjudged at one stage and let Holmberg back into the race, but we picked up some puffs and went away again.’

After her first race, Tiffany Koo was beaming. ‘That was our first target, (to beat Tan) so now we are aiming higher.'

Now into flight four, Richard outmanouvered Minoprio in the prestart and led to the gun. Ian Williiams pushed Tiffany Koo in the starting box, led across the line by two boat lengths and led around the course. Paolo Cian beat Bjorn Hansen.

Sensationally Tan Wearn Haw beat James Spithill in the last match of the fourth flight, when Spithill, who lead from the start gybed into glass and let the young China Team sailor sail though him.

In flight five, Sebastian Col sailing out of the current led James Spithill at the top mark, but he has a penalty to take.
Col stretched away on the first spinnaker run when Spithill chose the wrong side of the course and allowed his French competitor time to complete hios penalty and win.

Col said, 'For us that was a very important win, across this series.'

In the balance of fifth flight Hansen beat Tan, Paolo Cian defeated Tiffany Koo, Ian Williams beat Jesper Bank.

Ian Williams is leading 3-0 at the top of the board, along with Mathieu Richard, while James Spithill needs another win to get his regatta back on track.