Martin Angsell wins the 2006 Knickerbocker Cup

by Andrea Watson on 5 Sep 2006 In an upset in the finals, Martin Angsell (SWE) with crew Johan Sawensten, Peter Thorwid, and Par Johansson beat Adam Minoprio (NZ), 2-1 to win the 2006 Knickerbocker Cup.

In addition to the prize money, Angsell will have his name permanently placed on the Cup along with such past winners as Peter Gilmour, Ed Baird, Paul Cayard, Russell Coutts, Terry McLaughlin and Dave Perry.

If spectators were to make bets on the outcome of this years competition, it most likely would not have been on Angsell. They entered the semi-finals in fourth place with a record of 6-4 at the end of the full round robin. All bets were for the young New Zealanders, from Team BlackMatch, with, in addition to Minoprio included David Swete, John Puckey and Nick Blackman.

They ripped up the competition with 10 bullets after two days of racing, which put them solidly in first place with the right to chose their competition in the semis. With wind at a minimum after the fiasco with Tropical Depression Ernesto, Minoprio chose Torvar Mirsky (AUS) because he wanted to stay away from the Europeans who are known for their skill in sailing in light air.

Minoprio chose wisely as BlackMatch handily beat Mirsky, with crew Nick Davis, Mike Hughes, and Graeme Spence, 2-0. Angsell’s semi-final round was also a 2-0 game against third place Pierre-Antoine Morvan (FRA), with Nicolas Pauchet, Eric Lejoliff, and Devan Lebihan.

Leads in match racing can change on a dime and many times it is one mistake that can make the difference of winner take all or second place. That is what happened on Manhasset Bay as the Swedes and New Zealanders faced each other in the finals. It was a match between the very experienced Angsell who has been to the Knickerbocker Cup four times and the young and talented BlackMatch team.

In the end it was the experienced team that came out the victor. According to Angsell, he thought Minoprio 'might make a few mistakes in the finals if he got a little nervous', but it was Angsell who provided the first disastrous mistake in the first match in the finals when he missed a wind shift right at the start of the match, and essentially handed the win to his opponent. Score one for BlackMatch. The second match provided another mistake, but this time for Minoprio, who was behind on the first upwind leg and thought the wind on the right side of the course was favored.

Said Minoprio, 'Clearly the wind wasn’t better on the right, and Angsell went left, got a big puff, extended a comfortable lead and took the race.' Score one point each. As so often happens in match racing, it is the pre-race that determines the winner.

It looked like Minoprio had control at the start but BlackMatch got a little aggressive and came up to the line too early. Angsell was right there to take advantage of the situation and gave Minoprio no room to maneuver. Another big mistake. As Minoprio rounded to restart, Angsell got an early lead that he maintained, and sailed off to victory.

Angsell attributed his win to 'knowledge of local water and feeling comfortable sailing on Manhasset Bay. I didn’t have a specific strategy against Minoprio but though we had a good chance because we are more experienced.'

He had nothing but good things to say about the Knickerbocker YC, the Race Committee and the Umpires. He continued, 'And I really liked the Colgate 26 a lot because they are easy to maneuver and preformed well in all wind conditions.'

In the end it was Minoprio’s two mistakes to Angsell’s one in the final round that gave the Cup to the Swedes. In competition of this caliber, it doesn’t take much to lose the game.

With both teams determined to return for the 2007 Knickerbocker Cup, it will be interesting to see how one year’s worth of match racing will improve the young team from New Zealand. But for now, it is Martin Angsell and his Swedish team who prevailed and hold the title of the winners of the 2006 Knickerbocker Cup.

The late Edward du Moulin, Past Commodore of Knickerbocker YC, and a member the New York YC and the Storm Trysail Club was the founder of the Knickerbocker Cup in 1982. He was also one of the organizers of the America’s Cup Hall of Fame and served as its first Chairman in 1993-1995. In 2000, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

His interest in promoting sailing to the younger genration is legendary and many of his 'students' wnet on to become involved in America’s Cup racing. Richard du Moulin, who won the Knickerbocker Cup in 1984, and is Ed’s son, and Carrie Morea, Ed’s granddaughter, presented the awards to the top teams. Richard spoke of the early days of the Knickerbocker Cup, and how it has changed over the years. He added, 'It’s great to see the number of international competitors coming over here. Congratulations to all you guys and the volunteers who make this happen.'

For more information, see www.kyc.net.

Final Standings:

1. Martin Angsell (SWE)
2. Adam Minoprio (NZ)
3. Torvar Mirsky (AUS)
4. Pierre-Antoine Morvan (FRA)
5. Dave Perry (USA)
6. Jesper Feldt (DEN)
7. Brian Angel (USA)
8. Scott Dickson (USA)
9. Johnny Isdahl (SWE)
10. Chris Van Tol (USA)
11. Doug Shannon (USA)