World Champion in shock upset in Sunseeker Australia Cup Quarters

by Al Constable on 28 Nov 2009
Racing moved above the Narrows Bridge, where the Swan River edges past the Perth CBD, for the second set of Quarter Finals in the 2009 Sunseeker Australia Cup on Day 3 of the series being sailed out of Royal Perth Yacht Club.

In the quarter finals 2006-2007 and 2009 World Match Racing Champion Ian Williams chose to sail against Perth local Keith Swinton. The two skippers had sailed against each twice before on the World Tour. In the 2008 Monsoon Cup Swinton, the 2008 Asian Match Racing Champion, had bested Williams but the tables had been turned in the Bermuda Gold Cup.

The first race started surprisingly, with a lapse in concentration from the vastly experienced Williams, who spun inside the obstruction line on the Kings Park shoreline and attracted a penalty.

It was light at the top mark and when Williams' green spinnaker popped. Swinton was just a length behind with a penalty advantage, he stuck like glue to his rival and at the end of the second lap Williams was unable to complete his penalty before Swinton took the race.

In the second match Swinton was controlling Williams early in the starting box but Williams escaped and was fast on the right off the line.

Williams held a two lengths advantage at the bottom mark, but on the second beat Swinton found a shift in the disturbed wind in the lee of the Narrows Bridge and his blue kite popped first. Down the run Swinton held his small lead.

A shock for Williams, the current world champion after he chose Swinton as the easiest skipper to 'roll', as he suddenly found himself in jeopardy, 0-2, in a first to three series.

When they next headed into the box, Swinton was twice penalised in the pre-start. Hunting for a killer third penalty Williams was a little too enthusiastic and conceded a penalty.

Swinton started a length behind and though he tried every trick, Williams sailed away to pull back to 1-2. One match point saved but it was still do or die for the British team.

Deep breaths for Swinton ahead of match four. After a clean start, Williams wanted the left and Swinton the right.

Swinton sailed flawlessly, holding the right and bouncing Williams back. He was a length ahead at the top mark, and gained again on the run to extend his lead to two lengths. He further extended on the second lap.

Horns sounded and cheers rang across the water as the local sailor crossed the line with a 3-1 victory.

Post race the lightly built Western Australian, who is just 60kg wringing wet, said the team had sailed 15kg under the 437kg five up weight limit.

Swinton smiled ‘A good result for us; our aim coming into this event was to get to the semi finals and we've done that. It will be even better if win tomorrow.'