Simon Minoprio wins inaugural Detroit Cup

by PRNewswire on 13 May 2008 Skipper Simon Minoprio of New Zealand and crew won the inaugural 'Detroit Cup' besting nine other international teams in the sailing regatta that was cancelled on the third day of racing Sunday due to weather conditions.

A second place standing was earned by Brian Angel of Manhattan Beach, California with his team winning 7 points in the final series among the top four teams for a trophy. Taking the third spot is team Andrew Arbuzov of Russia with six points and the fourth slot goes to skipper Dave Perry and crew with 5 points. Perry, who has written books on the sailing racing rules and tactics, is from Southport, Conn., and ranks 44th in the international sailing.

'Further racing for the Detroit Cup was cancelled because of extreme weather conditions making it unsafe for people and equipment,' said Marcia Everingham, Principal Race Officer. 'These heavy wind and rain conditions are not racing conditions but more of survival sailing and that does not make for sportsmanlike competition.'

The final race series got underway at 10 a.m. on Sunday and the sailing was halted at 11 a.m. after winds began gusting 20 to 30 knots with moderate rains and heavy cloud cover rolling into the Detroit River with temperatures in the high 40-degrees Fahrenheit. Sunday's weather was in marked contrast to brilliant blue skies and moderate temperatures and winds that greeted sailors from Thursday's practice through Saturday competitions.

'Thank you to Bayview, sponsor Toyota and to all of you for having us this weekend and to my crew for making the win happen,' said winner Minoprio. 'I look forward to racing here again next year.'

While English is a second language, third place finisher Arbuzov of Russia won the hearts of racers and spectators with his enthusiasm for participation in the race. 'I'm really happy to be here,' said Arbuzov. 'I also want to thank your President Ronald Reagan. He helped bring an end to the old USSR. Now we have the possibility to come to America. We loved Los Angeles, New York City and being here in Detroit. This is the best country.... '

'The final day of weather cannot take away from the outstanding competition that was held here at Bayview in Detroit over this beautiful weekend,' said BYC Commodore Timothy LaRiviere. 'This regatta gives new meaning to the Detroit River as an international waterway. While we see freighters here from all over the world, it's the first time champion skippers from six nations have sailed these waters and it has been thrilling and we look forward to having Detroit on the international circuit for years to come.'

The prestigious ISAF Grade 2 match race, sponsored by Toyota, was held in the international waterways of the Detroit River for the first time. The Detroit Cup, designed by sailing racer Paul VanTol, will remain on permanent display at Bayview Yacht Club with the winner's name engraved. The first through third place winners were given a trophy made exclusively for the event by the historic Detroit Pewabic Pottery Company.

The 5th place team was skipper Jon Singsen and 6th place team was local skipper Adam Hollerbach of Grosse Pointe, Michigan. The final round robin series was halted due to the severe weather conditions in the ISAF world circuit sanctioned race. In the match racing format two boats race at a time with the winner earning a point. This round robin format is similar to that used in America's Cup.

Ten teams from six countries - Argentina, Canada, Italy, New Zealand, Russia, and the United States competed in the Detroit River with the Canadian and Detroit shorelines and passing ocean-going freighters serving as backdrops to the Match Race.

The teams, each sailed on Bayview's club owned fleet of identical Ultimate 20 sailboats and is one of the two most prestigious match racing events in North America in 2008 as measured by the International Sailing Federation grading criteria.

'It has been a great event. We have hosted the international racers. We've had tremendous weather Thursday through Saturday. I guess last night some of the racers test drove the new Lexus ISF and it just blew them away. It appears they brought in the wind with them,' said John McCandless, Toyota National Manager for Corporate Communications.

'I am sending an email to our big guys to thank them for the ISF and for naming it in honor of the International Sailing Federation,' said McCandless. 'I want to thank the racers, Bayview, and the committee for a great event.'

Competitors for the 2008 Detroit Cup and their international ranking include: Andrew Arbuzov, of Russia, 15th; Simon Minoprio, of New Zealand, 26th; Chris VanTol, of Grosse Pointe Park, Mich., 31st and the top U.S. skipper; Brian Angel, of Manhattan Beach, Calif., 37th; Dave Perry, of Southport, Conn., 44th; Juan Ignacio Grimaldi, of Argentina, 53rd; and Simone Ferrarese, of Italy, 54th., Jon Singsen of Greenwich, Connecticut, USA; Adam Hollerbach of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, USA and Peter Wickwire of Toronto, Canada.

http://www.detroitcup.com/