Last gasp win secures BlackMatch a quarterfinal berth in St Moritz

by BlackMatch Racing Media on 5 Sep 2009
Blackmatch Racing report from the World Match Racing Tour in St Moritz, Switzerland:

Hi all from BlackMatch,

Starting the day with only 3 wins on the scoreboard and the unenviable task of winning at least three of our four matches to guarantee our spot in the quarterfinal, we had a terrible start losing to local talent Eric Monin when he overtook us on the run to the finish and then losing out narrowly to Sebastian Col. Fortunately for us the current leader of the World Tour Mathieu Richard was also having a terrible day and the very last match of the round robin saw us face off in a must win race to decide who would progress through.

After winning a nail biter against another Frenchman Philippe Presti, the scene was set for the deciding match against Mathieu Richard and it definitely did not disappoint. After an even start the French team held a narrow advantage at the top mark with us hot on their heals, they held a similar lead by the bottom mark but we had a great mark rounding and a fierce tacking duel ensued up the next beat. Both teams were throwing everything they had at each other and we were making small gains, but they defended well and still held a boat length lead going into the downwind run to the finish. We initiated a gybe into better wind pressure and started to roll over them, they attempted to defend their lead but we surfed past in great breeze, gaining half a boat length lead as we approached the finish line. We managed to ‘soak’ within two boat lengths of the pin end of the line which meant we were entitled to ‘mark room’ and a hapless Richard could only watch as we took the narrowest of victories.

It was a rollercoaster ride for BlackMatch during the round robin here in St Moritz and it was a huge relief to have made it through to the quarterfinals after such a terrible start to the event. Mirsky racing team qualified top of the table on 8 wins after Ian Williams lost 3 of his four final round robin matches, this sent the young Australian team directly through to the semi finals while 6 remaining teams are set to fight for the 3 remaining semi final berths. Francesco Bruni of Italy was the 2nd qualifier and this meant he had the choice of his quarterfinal opponent. He chose Presti, while Williams surprisingly chose to race Sebastian Col and this left us to race Peter Gilmour.

It is perhaps a compliment that although we have struggled so far in this event, the top qualifiers still did not choose to race us and we justified this by taking the first match against Gilmour in the best of 5 match up. So following a disastrous opening to this regatta we now find ourselves 1 nil up against one of match racings legends and vying for a spot in the semi final, it is a great turnaround for the team and we are hoping we can get the wins needed tomorrow to advance further in this competition.

For any media or results please visit www.worldmatchracingtour.com. Photos attached by Jenny Warner and from the World Match Racing Tour website.

We would again like to say a special thank you to our sponsors: FedEx Express and Ross Munro from Line 7, their ongoing support is helping make this opportunity possible for the BlackMatch boys. To the RNZYS, Emirates Team New Zealand and everyone else, thank you for your support.

BlackMatch Racing

STAGE 3 SEMI FINAL

M1 Torvar Mirsky

STAGE 2 - QUARTER FINAL
Round Robin winner goes straight to semi final
Winners in Bold

M1 Philippe Presti v Francesco Bruni
M2 Francesco Bruni v Philippe Presti
M3 Philippe Presti v Francesco Bruni
M4 Francesco Bruni v Philippe Presti
M5 Philippe Presti v Francesco Bruni

M1 Ian Williams v Sebastien Col
M2 Sebastien Col v Ian Williams
M3 Ian Williams v Sebastien Col
M4 Sebastien Col v Ian Williams
M5 Ian Williams v Sebastien Col

M1 Adam Minoprio v Peter Gilmour
M2 Peter Gilmour v Adam Minoprio
M3 Adam Minoprio v Peter Gilmour
M4 Peter Gilmour v Adam Minoprio
M5 Adam Minoprio v Peter Gilmour