BlackMatch makes the ISAF Top 10

by BlackMatch Racing Media on 1 Jul 2008 BlackMatch Racing reports on their rise and rise in the ISAF World Match Race rankings

Hello from BlackMatch in Europe,

After some very good results in our last three regattas, we have risen through the ISAF(www.sailing.org) World Match Race Rankings, to cement our place at #10.

We competed in three of five events that were included in the recent ranking release, gaining wins in Austria and Italy also placing 3rd in the inaugural Korea Match Cup World Tour Event, where we essentially ended Mathieu Richards 6 month reign at world #1, by defeating him in the quarterfinals.

The new world #1 is Britain's Ian Williams and his Pindar Racing Team. Ian's best result to date on this year's World Tour was Korea, when he narrowly defeated us 3-2 in the semi final, going on to take 2nd place. It was a performance that has given him a big points lead in the World Championship standings as well as boosting him back to the top in the World Rankings.

It has to be said that we are extremely happy to have reached our initial goal of top 10 in the world, so early on in our tour. With a top 10 ranking it will be easier for us to secure elusive World Match Racing Tour spots and although we are not competing in Sweden this week, we have gained entry to the following Tour event, the Danish Open and St Moritz Match Cup.

BlackMatch has a 2 week break from match racing with our next event being a grade 1 in Poland on the 15th of July. The sailing however, still continues with our bowman Nick Blackman sailing with legend Peter Gilmour in Match Cup Sweden this Week. Peter is 3 times World Champion and has also won the Swedish event 6 times so keep an eye on how they go. Adam has been asked to do tactics this week on a Dutch Yacht competing in the prestigious Commodore's Cup event in Cowes and with Dave and Nick gaining a second on line in last weeks Round Ireland Race, we are certainly keeping ourselves busy.

BlackMatch would like to again acknowledge their sponsors. From Adam, Dave, Tom and Nick we would like to say a big thank to FedEx Express, Ross Munroe from Line 7 New Zealand and Waiwera Infinity. We feel very privileged to have support from these World renowned companies and also to have the backing of Team New Zealand and our yacht club, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

BlackMatch Racing
www.blackmatchracing.com