Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine 2019 728x90

2023 GKSS Match Cup Sweden - Day 3

by WMRT 7 Jul 2023 09:59 PDT 4-9 July 2023
2023 GKSS Match Cup Sweden © Anders Dahlberg

Day 3 of the 2023 GKSS Match Cup Sweden wrapped up the quarter-final stage of the event to advance the top four teams to the semi-final.

Five-time winner of the event Björn Hansen/ Extend Commerce Sailing Team and fellow Swede Johnie Berntsson/ Berntsson Sailing Team join USA's Chris Poole/Riptide Racing and Estonia's Mati Sepp/ Clean Energy Sailing Team in the semi-final line-up. This year marks the 29th edition of the iconic Swedish championship stage of the World Match Racing Tour.

As the weather finally cooperated in Marstrand today with bright sunshine and a fresh W/SW 15-20 knot breeze, spectators arriving on the island were treated to an all-action day of racing.

Finishing their last races of the round-robin qualifying stage, USA's Chris Poole and Denmark's Jeep Borch/ Borch Racing found themselves in an early collision which entangled both boats and caused a dismasting on Poole's boat.

"Certainly not how we planned to start the day" commented Poole, "unfortunately these things happen in yacht racing and sadly it was unavoidable on this occasion, but fortunately no one was hurt on either boat."

Despite the setback, both teams advanced to the semi-final with Borch paired against Sweden's Johnie Berntsson, and Poole against defending match racing world champion Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL/ Knots Racing).

After losing their first race to Egnot-Johnson/Knots Racing, Poole and his Riptide Racing team found their stride to win their match 2-1 and advance to the semi-final.

Local to the area and well-practised in the Far East 28 race boats, Berntsson defeated Borch 2-1 in the first-to-two-points quarter-final match.

'It feels good we have levelled up our boat handling" said Berntsson. "We sailed fast today with some good manoeuvres - Jeppe and his team did a great job pushing us, so we needed to be on our best form. It's the first time we have made the semis here in Marstrand in front of our home crowd, so now we try for the next step."

In the other quarter-final matches, local favourite and 'Master of Marstrand' Björn Hansen reminded the crowd why he has won the event five times before as he defeated fellow Swede Oscar Engström/ Team Liros 2-0. Hansen is back in Marstrand after an eight-year break from match racing with his long-time crew of Matias Bredin, Phillip Kai Guhle and Nils Bjerkås:

'I'm very happy with what my crew achieved today" added Hansen. "We had some fantastic manoeuvres and the team really put the boat in the right place, so a big credit to them. We were happy to beat Oscar [Engstrom] too - we practiced together a few weeks ago in Gothenburg and they are very good in these boats, they will definitely be future champions. But it is great to sail again in front of the crowds here in Marstrand and we are thrilled to be back."

In the last quarter-final pairing between Switzerland's Eric Monnin/ Capvis Swiss Match Racing and Estonia's Mati Sepp/ Clean Energy Sailing Team, it was the Estonian's day to shine as Sepp and crew defeated the Swiss team in two straight wins to secure their spot in the semi-final.

"It feels amazing!" said Sepp. "To reach this stage at such an epic event and hear the big crowd cheer for sailors is very special. We have sailed against Eric in many finals and we have always lost - we have waited 6 years since Match Race Germany 2017 and many regattas since then to beat the team, so it is great to finally have our day."

The semi-finals and finals complete the event tomorrow with Hansen lined up against Sepp, and Berntsson v Poole for the opening semi-final matches.

For live results, see here.

For more information on the World Match Racing Tour, visit wmrt.com and for information on GKSS Match Cup Sweden, visit www.gkssmatchcupsweden.se

The GKSS Match Cup Sweden 2023 is proudly sponsored by Main Partners Nordea and Vinga.

Related Articles

WMRT celebrates 25th Anniversary season
The 2025 season features a 16-event schedule across 10 countries The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) today announced its complete 2025 championship season, which started at the inaugural Macao Match Cup last month. Posted on 21 Feb
Macao Match Cup overall
Great Britain's Ian Williams and his team victorious Great Britain's Ian Williams and his Pindar by Manuport Logistics Team of Richard Sydenham, Jon Gundersen and Gerry Mitchell have been crowned champions of the inaugural Macao Match Cup, the opening event of the 2025 World Match Racing Tour. Posted on 13 Jan
Macao Match Cup day 4
Final four set eyes on inaugural title The penultimate day of the Macao Match Cup saw the completion of the Quarter-finals stage of the event with Great Britain's Ian Williams, USA's Chris Poole and Gavin Brady, and New Zealand's Nick Egnot-Johnson securing wins in their respective matches. Posted on 11 Jan
Macao Match Cup day 3
A day of survival as quarter-finalists decided It was an all-action day at the 2025 Macao Match Cup as the twelve teams were put to the test in the final matches of the qualifying round-robin stage to decide which eight teams would advance to the Quarter-finals. Posted on 10 Jan
Macao Match Cup day 2
Experience pays in better breeze The forecast delivered a more consistent breeze for the second day of the 2025 Macao Match Cup with experienced match racers Ian Williams (GBR), Gavin Brady (USA) and New Zealand's Nick Egnot-Johnson continuing to top the round-robin qualifying stage. Posted on 9 Jan
2025 Macao Match Cup day 1
Strong start for Williams, Brady, Foucher Twelve teams tackled light conditions today on the opening race day of the 2025 Macao Match Cup as the first eight flights of the qualifying round-robin stage were completed. Posted on 8 Jan
Macao hosts season opener Macao Match Cup
For 25th Anniversary World Match Racing Tour 2025 World Match Racing Tour season kicks off this week at the all-new Macao Match Cup, hosted alongside the annual MGM Macao International Regatta organized by the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, MGM, and Ursa Major Sailing Event Management. Posted on 7 Jan
WMRT Shenzhen Bao'an Final 2024 Overall
Ian Williams wins record-breaking eighth Match Racing Worlds title The 2024 World Match Racing Tour Shenzhen Bao'an Final concluded, where Britain's Ian Williams Pindar by Manuport Logistics team of Jon Gundersen, Richard Sydenham, and Gerry Mitchell claimed their record-breaking eighth Match Racing Worlds title. Posted on 16 Dec 2024
World Match Racing Tour Final day 5
French newcomers take on previous world champions in the semis French newcomers to the WMRT Final are up against 2022 Match Racing World Champion Nick Egnot-Johnson and seven-time Match Racing World Champion Ian Williams. Posted on 14 Dec 2024
World Match Racing Tour Final day 4
Quarter-finalists decided in fresh breeze The quarter-finalists for the World Match Racing Tour Shenzhen Bao'an Final have been determined following the repechage round today. Pierroz, Williams, Egnot-Johnson, and Tapper now advance to the quarter-finals. Posted on 13 Dec 2024
Exposure MarineArmstrong 728x90 - MA Foil Range - BOTTOMCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER