Cian defeats Richard - Match Race Germany

by Yvonne Reid on 29 May 2007 Paolo Cian won his second World Match Racing Tour championship when he defeated Mathieu Richard 2-0 in the final of the 10th annual Match Race Germany. Cian, helmsman of the South African America´s Cup-team Shosholoza, and his crew overcame the French Saba Sailing team of Mathieu Richard.

Cian and his Team Shosholoza crew Pierluigi Fornelli, Santino Brizzi, Pierluigi FelioPietro Mantovani finished with a 13 -5 record and won 4,800€ of the 20,000€ prize purse.

Shifty conditions with gusty 10 to 15 knot winds challenged the finalists and were significant in the tight races that were displayed. However, it was a tacking duel in both races that allowed Cian to display his skill as an America’s Cup helmsman. 'My team has done a good job in learning the legs, the shifts, the path and the boat. Every match racer has his own story and every stage of the match makes a difference. Mathieu Richard had a sound performance overall, winning almost every race going in to the final, but it was Cian’s team who were superior on the day. 'My team is a little stronger and I feel this was an advantage in dealing with the ever changing wind conditions' said Cian.

Mathieu Richard congratulated his opponent and praised his team mates for all their hard work. 'It has been a busy couple of weeks having come straight from LA where we won the Congressional Cup to here and coming second, we are thrilled with our achievements' said Richard.

Despite coming second, Richard has earned enough points to secure the number one spot on the World Match Racing Tour leader board. He currently leads with 70 points. He is closely followed by Cian with 66 points, whilst the World #1, Ian Williams, slips in to third place with 62 points.

The petite final saw Staffan Lindberg of Alandia Sailing Team take on Eugeniy Neugodnikov’s team Lord of the Sail. 'It was simply not my day' said Neugodnikov who lost both his races to take the 4th spot and a prize fund of 2,000€.

The event saw approximately 30,000 spectators over the course of five days. Although the final day saw cold and wet weather conditions the event organisers were pleased with the attendance figures and were overwhelmed with the turn out on Sunday. Harold Thierer commented 'Sunday was the most spectacular day of not only this event but all of the ones we have hosted in the past ten years.'

Match Race Germany www.matchrace.de