Monsoon Cup 2010 - 10 skippers confirmed

WITH less than 30 days to go before the Monsoon Cup starts, 10 skippers have confirmed their places in the season-ending World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) with two more places still up for grabs.

The final qualifier will be determined at the Sunseeker Australia Cup on Nov 24-27 while the Monsoon Cup organisers will announce a wild card soon to complete the 12-sailor lineup who will compete in Kuala Terengganu.
The 10 skippers are France’s tour leader

1. Mathieu Richard (French Match Racing Team),
   
2. New Zealand’s Adam Minoprio (ETNZ/Black Match Racing),
   
3. Ian Williams (Team GAC Pindar),
4. Great Britain’s Ben Ainslie (TEAMORIGIN),
5. Australia’s Torvar Mirsky (Mirsky Racing Team),
   
6. Denmark’s Jesper Radich (Radich Racing Team),
   
7. Italy’s Francesco Bruni (Azzurra) and
   
8. Australia’s Peter Gilmour (YANMAR Racing), together with
9. Malaysia’s Jeremy Koo (Koo Racing Team-Evernew) and
   
10. New Zealand’s Phil Robertson (WAKA Racing).

Monsoon Cup operations manager, Muhamed Shafique Mohamed Iqbal, said: “It is going to be an exciting 30 days before the Monsoon Cup.”

The Monsoon Carnival, which started on Oct 1, is also a move by the organisers to promote the event in all seven districts of Terengganu.
The event kicked off in Jerteh, Besut on Oct 1-2 before moving to Permaisuri, Setiu on Oct 8-9. It was followed by Kuala Berang, Hulu Terengganu (Oct 15-16) and Kemasik, Kemaman (Oct 22-23).
Upcoming events are in Marang (Fri-Sat), Dungun (Nov 12-13) and Kuala Terengganu (Dec 1-5).

“We are delighted the public has been supportive of the carnival and I’m sure they will flock to the main carnival which will coincide with the staging of the Monsoon Cup,” Shafique added.
Shafique confirmed that more side events for the Monsoon Cup are still in the planning stage and will be announced shortly.

Source & Credits

Read more: 10 skippers confirmed http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/10skippersconfirmed/Article#ixzz149A0BeFf

Mathieu Richard in Confident Mood Ahead of the Monsoon Cup

London, UK – 1 November, 2010

Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team, is in buoyant mood ahead of the World Match Racing Tour’s decider event, the Monsoon Cup, confident in the belief he can exploit the weaknesses of his nearest rivals to win the Match Racing World Champion title that has so far eluded him.

Richard, said: “We are in great form and getting ready for the Monsoon Cup. We’ve had a great season, with three victories and five podiums and we’ve been leading the world ranking throughout the year so yes, our goal is definitely to win. This title is very dear to us. The ball is now in our camp and it is our duty to get the job done!”

Read more on Richard’s thoughts about Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing and Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN as well as his preparations ahead of the Monsoon Cup (30th November to 5th December 2010) at www.wmrt.com
http://www.wmrt.com/news/90-2010-news/11404-mathieu-richard-in-confident-mood-ahead-of-the-monsoon-cup.html

2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour Standings
(After Stage 8 of 9)
1. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 105 Points
2. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 90 Points
3. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 88 Points
4. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 76 Points
5. Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar sponsored by Argo Group 72 Points
6. Jesper Radich (DEN) Gaastra Racing Team 60 Points
7. Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 53 Points
8. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 51 Points
9. Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team 33 Points
10. Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Sigma Racing Team 29 Points

Source and Credits
WMRT.COM

Robertson Books his Ticket to the Monsoon Cup

Terengganu, Malaysia, 28 October 2010


Phil Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing put in a sublime performance against the emerging talent of David Gilmour (AUS) Team Gilmour to win the Asian Match Racing Championship (AMRC) and book his place in next month’s World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) finale event, the Monsoon Cup.

Gilmour, son of four-time Match Racing World Champion Peter Gilmour, had the upper hand on Robertson earlier in the week at the five-star Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort and Spa in Pulau Duyong having triumphed over him in both qualifying matches. It was howeverthe defending Champion Robertson who masterfully defeated his nearest rival 2-0 in the final.

Robertson will now join Jeremy Koo (MAS) Koo Racing Team-Evernew - winner of the Malaysian Match Racing Championship (MMRC), the top eight skippers in the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) standings, the winner of the upcoming Sunseeker Australia Cup and one wildcard entry for the Monsoon Cup which takes place from 30th November to 5th December at the world class Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort and Spa.

A delighted Robertson said: “This year’s competition was so much harder to win as the skill level of all the skippers has gone up tremendously. David was a worthy opponent as he beat me twice in the qualifying sessions, but I think my experience of taking part in more match racing events around the world was the deciding factor. My crew performed tremendously and got better as the event went on.”

Looking ahead to the Monsoon Cup, Robertson was in buoyant mood: “I was sixth last year but am confident of doing better this year,” said Robertson. “I will be taking part in two events before the Monsoon Cup and it will certainly help me sharpen up my skills.”

With the Match Racing World Champion crown and a large slice of the USD475,000 prize money on the table at the Monsoon Cup on the table, the thoughts of the top 5 teams in the WMRT standings will be very much focused on Malaysia. Only 17 points separate the top three teams of Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team, Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing and Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN. With the Monsoon Cup offering 1.5 times more points than a standard WMRT race, that 17 point gap is easily closed with the winner set to scoop 38 points and the remaining places the following: 30 (2nd), 22 (3rd), 18 (4th), 15 (5th), 12 (6th), 9 (7th), 6 (8th).

Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team and Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar are fourth and fifth in the series and still in with a mathematical chance of winning but will need results of their opponents at the Monsoon Cup to go their way.

Asian Match Racing Championship - Final Standings
1. Phil Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing
2. David Gilmour (AUS) Team Gilmour
3. Wataru Sakamoto (JPN) Team Siesta
4. Reuben Corbett (NZL) MAF1/Black Sheep Racing
5. Peter Nicholas (AUS) Freshie Racing Team
6. Graeme Sutherland (HKG) Team Hermes
7. Mark Lees (GBR) Team ECHO
8. Tan Wearn Haw (SIN) SINYIDAI
9. Neil Semple (THA) Capital TV

About the Asian Match Racing Championships (AMRC)

At its debut in 2006, the AMRC saw participation from five regional teams, including from Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, racing in the world-class Pulau Duyong match race circuit, which is also the venue for the Monsoon Cup.

Last year saw a massive increase in interest with over 30 international teams applying for a chance to compete. But only seven selected teams were racing in the AMRC, including two from Malaysia. Now it has grown to include the participation of youths under 25 from around the globe.

Asian Match Racing Championship Winners:
2006 - Adam Minoprio (NZL) – BlackMatch Racing
2007 - Adam Minoprio (NZL) – BlackMatch Racing
2008 - Keith Swinton (AUS) – BlackSwan Racing
2009 – Phil Robertsson (NZL) - WAKA Racing

Source & Credits
WMRT.COM

Notification of Host Venue Bidding Process

World’s Premier Sailing Series Launches Venue Bidding Process

The ISAF World Match Racing Tour (WMRT), sailing’s premier global match racing tour, has today opened the bidding process for cities, regions and countries from around the globe to enter the race for the right to host a stage of sailing's leading world series.

WMRT is an exciting and spectator friendly discipline with leading skippers and their teams taking each other on in short, sharp, high adrenalin, head-to-head battles in identical boats. Recognised by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) with special event status, WMRT is a professionally managed tour currently consisting of nine events worldwide. The Tour culminates in the crowning of a World Champion.

The bidding process, which will be managed by venue acquisition consultancy Regatta International, will see six new venues selected to join the Tour from the 2012-2013 seasons. The new venues will win the right to hold a World Championship stage, each lasting for 5 days.

Cities, countries and regions interested in finding out more about WMRT, the benefits associated with being a host venue, and what the application process is, can find full details and register their interest at http://application.wmrt.com/

Commenting on the opening of the bidding process, WMRT CEO Jim O’Toole commented, “The World Match Racing Tour is a well proven marketing platform for destinations wishing to showcase their facilities, infrastructure and organisational capacities, increase their international tourism profile and attract inward investment."

“We are currently undergoing an intense period of expansion and are looking forward to partnering with venues who share our ambition. We have already fielded strong levels of interest from potential venues and by opening up the bidding process we’ll be requiring bidding venues to meet certain criteria."

“These will range from essential requirements such as proving they can ensure good winds, to logistical, marketing and financial commitments, as well as guaranteeing they can provide the level of infrastructure associated with a world class level sporting event.”

Regatta International’s Director Terry Newby said, “The World Match Racing Tour is already one of sailing’s most respected brands with outstanding events around the world. The opportunity to work with interested parties to develop the series to 15 stages by 2013 is a hugely exciting prospect.

“Over the past 10 years WMRT has developed into a very well organised series which attracts top class sailors while drawing a huge global audience and media footprint. The benefits for venues looking to host a stage are numerous, ranging from strong economic returns to developing international awareness. We look forward to collaborating with bidding cities to maximise their chances of success.”


For further information contact:
World Match Racing Tour
Name: Jim O’Toole
Tel: +44 7921 020845
Email: jimotoole@wmrt.com

Regatta International
Name: Terry Newby
Tel: +44 61 413644287 or + 60 173382144
Email: terrynewby@regattainternational.co.uk

Credit & Source
WMRT.com

WMRT- Press Conference, More events and double the prize money

With the recent announcement that catamaran would be used for the America Cups.
WMRT took their opportunities well, announcing that 6 Tour Event would be added and the prize money pool would be doubled from 250k USD to 500k USD.

The Match Racing events has always been deemed as a feeder events to the America Cups, This I believe has always been the main attraction of it, although the America Cups is using Catamaran now, still..its always still going to be a feeder events, or at least one of the feeder events for America Cups.

But with continuous promotion effort from the WMRT, the increased of prize money and tour events all over the globe, I believe they are moving away as just being a feeder event.

I personally feel that WMRT will do well, all because it offers accessibility which allows more participation from fellow sailors and that will generate the feeling of affiliation to it. And people going to follow it, because someone you know are involve in it, I believe they are 18 qualifying events, correct me if I am wrong, with at least 1 qualification event for each Tour events.

Now that Match Racing for Men is already in Asian Games, I can only see more Tour Events being held in Asia. And I am waiting for that to happen.

Sean Ong

Live and Breathe The Thrilling Argo Group Gold Cup Action

-WMRT NEWS-

London – 1 October – The one-on-one battles, heated rivalries and twists of fate which embody the ISAF World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) will be played out on the waters of Hamilton Harbour, Bermuda next week at the Argo Group Gold Cup where the introduction of a mobile website and live blog with audio feed promise to bring the action closer to fans than ever before.

The Argo Group Gold Cup 2009. Photo - Charles Anderson

The WMRT is already well-known for providing virtual on-the-water stadiums to the scores of spectators who annually attend the Tour’s events and next week that fan experience will be further enhanced with the launch of the Tour’s new mobile website, www.wmrt.com. Spectators in Hamilton Harbour and around the world using iPhone, iPod, iPad as well as all Android, BlackBerry, Palm and Windows mobile devices will be now be able to access live results, reports, image and video galleries as the action unfolds. Mobile users can also access the Tour’s daily news vodcast and ‘Play of the Day’ via YouTube and fans of specific teams will have the unique option to personalise their homepages with the latest team information, images and biographies.



In addition, fans will be able to get further under the skin of the action from Bermuda where testing will take place for a live audio and video feed broadcast alongside the race blog at www.wmrt.com. Live spectators and web viewers will enjoy additional insight and race commentary from Scott Dickson, a renowned match racing figure who is well-versed in the Argo Group Gold Cup having competed there on numerous occasions.



The Tour already boasts an impressive global TV broadcast distribution, with highlight programmes aired by 25 broadcasters in over 183 countries. Next week’s action will be broadcast on Sky Sports, Eurosport and CNBC amongst other channels whilst highlights will also include exclusive interviews with the world’s best skippers, including reigning Champion Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, two-time World Champion Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar sponsored by Argo Group and Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team.



The launches are the result of a focused strategy by the WMRT to increase the series’ global multimedia footprint and are a timely addition with the Tour standings delicately poised as the teams approach the sharp end of the series. All eyes in Bermuda will be on Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team as he bids to stave off his arch rivals and take another step towards his first ISAF Match Racing World Championship title. That will suit his nearest challenger, Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing who could potentially draw level with a win in either of the last two WMRT events. Just as the teams are busy calculating and computing all the permutations, the added insight that these new media platforms will bring will make it easier to follow than ever before.



Jim O’Toole, CEO at the World Match Racing Tour, said: "Sailing is often cited as being a poor spectator sport however the WMRT is unique in its ability to bring the action up close to spectators. We also have a huge global following and our focus on developing the Tour’s multimedia channels is targeted towards that audience and to build our overall fanbase. What better time to showcase the Tour’s ever-expanding multimedia offering as we head towards a thrilling finale at the final two events in Bermuda next week and then the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia in late November early December.”

Han River International Match Race - Day 1

Day 1, and we already handicapped, yew couldn't make it. In the end we invited a Korean laser sailor to join us.

Kim Our last minute replacement


We are far from match fitness, and unfortunately we met the Australia team early on, with 2 new crew on board is was too much to handle, we won the start but lost it approaching the windward mark, that was the only race we had today,

Team from Australia lead day 1 with 2 win .

We are still confident in reaching the semi final.

Thats all for now, until I get my camera!

Sean

Mathieu Richard Wins the 'King of the Mountain' Title in Spectacular Style

St. Moritz, Switzerland - 5 September 2010 - Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team won the 'King of the Mountain' title today in spectacular style, taking a huge stride towards his quest to become the 2010 ISAF Match Racing World Champion.

Having toyed with the teams all week at the St. Moritz Match Race, it was on the final day that the Maloja wind truly kicked in, bringing with it a supreme display of match racing for which the ISAF World Match Racing Tour is renowned. Richard, despite not always being on top of his game throughout the week, knuckled down when it mattered most, grinding out a series of hard-fought victories against his nearest rivals today.


L-R Mathieu Richard,Greg Evrard, Olivier Herledant, Yannick Simon, French Match Racing Team, winners of the St Moritz Match Race 2010. World Match Racing Tour. St Moritz, Switzerland. Photo: Ian Roman/WMRT.
When the two British skippers, triple Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN and double ISAF Match Racing World Champion Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar won their first semi-final matches, the prospects looked good for an all-British final. However, Richard had no intention of playing second fiddle and led Ainslie all the way round the course in their next race to level the score.

It was standing room only in the packed grandstands and with everything hanging on the final race of both semi-final matches, the crowds of spectators were in for a treat. A dogfight before each of the starts characterized the races. With a penalty to his name in his deciding semi-final battle against Ainslie, it appeared Richard's only option as they approached the final mark was a brutal one - to pin a penalty on Ainslie. Fortunately for Richard, his Blu26 found a gust, giving him enough time to complete his penalty turn and dispense with the Brit.

Meanwhile, in the Williams vs Minoprio bout Williams took the first match, but Minoprio responded in the second with a move at the windward mark, where Williams collected two penalties in rapid succession, allowing Minoprio to take a decisive victory. Williams though regained his composure for the final race of his dual with the New Zealander, with just enough control over Minoprio to maintain a slim lead to the finish and a place in the final.



L-R Yannick Simon (holding cheque), Olivier Herledant, Greg Evrard, Mathieu Richard, French Match Racing Team, winners of the St Moritz Match Race 2010. World Match Racing Tour. St Moritz, Switzerland. 5th September 2010. Photo: Ian Roman/WMRT.
The scene was set for a fitting British-French finale, with the title going to the first team to win two races. This was sailing's version of 'Le Crunch'. At times, both played underdog, exchanging glances and penalties. It was one all after two races and in the deciding race, it seemed only right that the wind, so unpredictable and challenging all week, should have the final say. Richard, playing a string of gusts and shifts to perfection, pulling five lengths clear, a lead he maintained to take the 'King of the Mountain' crown and CHF36,000 in prize money.
Richard, reflected: "I wasn't happy after losing the first race against Ian in the finals. I was too excited, made mistakes and didn't have a positive feeling. So, we picked ourselves up, changed our mood and took the match to them. We go to Denmark with a healthy lead however we know there is still all to play for. For now though, we're overjoyed."
As the Tour heads to the island of Bornholm, Denmark, next week, it is possible that the next few weeks will determine not just the outcome of this year's World Match Racing Tour but also shape the future of match racing with the America's Cup announcements that have been a hot topic all week in St. Moritz. Whatever the outcome, Richard and his rivals will remain focused on their endeavours to take the World Match Racing Tour title.

To view the 'Play of the Day' - Williams collecting two penalties against Minoprio, click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQEuRU4HumU


Results for the top four positions at the 2010 St. Moritz Match Race:
Finals Semi-final Quarter-final Round Robin
Final:
Mathieu Richard 2-1 2-1 1-0 (7-4)
Ian Williams 1-2 2-1 (straight to SF) (8-3)
Petit Final:
Adam Minoprio 1-0 1-2 1-0 (6-5)
Ben Ainslie 0-1 1-2 2-0 (7-4)

Overall Standings the 2010 St. Moritz Match Race:
Skipper/Teams Points
1 Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 25
2 Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 20
3 Adam Minoprio (NZL) BlackMatch Racing 15
4 Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 12
5 Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team 10
6 Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team 8
7 Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 6
8 Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 4
9 Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
10 Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Race Team
11 Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team
12 Jerome Clerc (SUI) Team CER Geneve

For fans around the world, the event will be featured in a TV highlights programme called The St Moritz Match Race. Featuring all the action from Lake St. Moritz, it will premiere on Eurosport at 21.35 on 6 October and also show on Eurosport Asia Pacific at 13.45 on 13 October. The programme will be screened on Sky Sports 3 at 18.00 on 22 October.

The St. Moritz Match Race highlights show will be broadcast on channels across the globe including CNBC, Setanta, Showtime, Sky NZ, Sevenload, Yacht and Sail International, America One, ESPN Star Sports, PCTV Mexico, Melita Cable, Bands Sports Brazil as well as local Swiss broadcaster Teleclub. The latest TV schedule for all the races can be viewed at: http://www.wmrt.com/multimedia/tv-schedules.html

*Note: times are subject to change without notification

A Touch of Luck Defines Day 4 of The St. Moritz Match Race

St. Moritz, Switzerland - 4 September 2010 - On a frustrating day for the six teams battling to reach the semi-finals of the St. Moritz Match Race, perhaps the biggest fight was off the water between the gradient northerly wind and the thermally induced southerly, which left the racecourse peppered with monumental wind shifts, holes and gusts.

The weather has tested the skippers' mettle all week and today it created a spectacular sporting moment that had the crowd holding its breath. It looked as if it was all over for reigning 'King of the Mountain' Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing in his match against Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team. Iehl, looking to build on a remarkable previous day, had what seemed like an insurmountable lead however he hit a hole and unfavourable wind shift just before the finish line. At the same time, Minoprio caught a big gust that he rode all the way to the end, storming past Ihel just two boat lengths from the finish. The King of the Mountains clearly controls the wind however it was a hollow victory: "Damien did a really good job extending his lead around the course. Then, when it was almost all over, he sailed into a hole and we sailed round him. I really don't feel good about it, but we need the points."


Ben Ainslie, TEAMORIGIN (foreground) vs Bjorn Hansen, Hansen Global Team. St Moritz Match Race 2010. World Match Racing Tour. St Moritz, Switzerland. Photo: Ian Roman/WMRT.

No skipper was given Minoprio's luck forcing them to relentlessly pursue every possible advantage. A pre-start incident between triple Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN and Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team saw the umpires find in favour of the British team, as Ainslie explains: "It was a 50-50 situation in which we had to keep clear when Hansen luffed us hard. It was a difficult decision for the jury as to whether he had been too aggressive, or whether our response was too slow. Luckily they decided in our favour."

Next up was a French derby between Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team against Bertrand Pacé (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team. There was no love lost though as Richard tried to pin Pacé outside the line at the start. In a super-close rounding of the second mark, Richard had the favoured inside line, while Pacé collected a penalty for failing to give him space giving Richard the advantage which he held to the finish.



St Moritz Match Race 2010. World Match Racing Tour. St Moritz, Switzerland. Photo: Ian Roman/WMRT.

In what proved to be the final chapter of the day, Ainslie held a big lead over Hansen when a wind shift of such magnitude made it difficult for Hansen to hold the spinnaker. Despite vehement protest from Hansen's team, the race was not abandoned giving Ainslie a second and decisive win to join Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar in the semi-finals.

The battle between the two wind systems continued through the afternoon, and despite supreme efforts by the race committee, racing eventually had to be abandoned for the day. The remaining quarter-final races to decide the two teams that will face Ainslie and Williams in the semi-finals, will take place at 1000 local time tomorrow morning.

Quarter-final results at the St. Moritz Match Race:
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar: goes straight to semi-final
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAM ORIGIN: 2
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team: 1
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing: 1
Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team: 0
Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team: 0
Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team: 0


You can follow the live blog at www.wmrt.com from 1 to 5 September from 11.00am until racing finishes at approximately 18.00

A preview to the St Moritz Match Race can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCqmo-2i3gs

For fans around the world, the event will also be featured in a TV highlights programme called The St Moritz Match Race. Featuring all the action from Lake St. Moritz, it will premiere on Eurosport at 21.35 on 6 October and also show on Eurosport Asia Pacific at 13.45 on 13 October. The programme will be screened on Sky Sports 3 at 18.00 on 22 October.

The St. Moritz Match Race highlights show will be broadcast on channels across the globe including CNBC, Setanta, Showtime, Sky NZ, Sevenload, Yacht and Sail International, America One, ESPN Star Sports, PCTV Mexico, Melita Cable, Bands Sports Brazil as well as local Swiss broadcaster Teleclub. The latest TV schedule for all the races can be viewed at: http://www.wmrt.com/multimedia/tv-schedules.html

*Note: times are subject to change without notification

Mountains of Suspense at the St. Moritz Match Race

St. Moritz, Switzerland - 3 September 2010 - The tension was palpable deep in the Swiss Alps at the St. Moritz Match Race today as the final push to qualify for the quarter-finals reached fever pitch. While three teams were assured of their place, a further six started the day virtually tied on points, preparing to fight tooth-and-nail for the remaining four places and a chance to have a crack at taking the 'King of the Mountain' title.

At the head of the pack, Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar, Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN and Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team were majestic on the water, making light work of the tricky and shifty conditions that have characterised the racing on Lake St. Moritz. With their path to the next round soon assured, the scene was set for the other teams to front up and put their rivals on the next plane home.

Team GAC Pindar beats Mirsky Racing Team. St Moritz Match Race 2010. World Match Racing Tour. St Moritz, Switzerland. Photo: Ian Roman/WMRT.

What ensued was match racing at its most intense - the skippers pushed and often broke the rules of match racing and sportsmanship, keeping the on-water umpires fully occupied. Bill Edgerton, Chief Umpire, said: "The competition here is red hot, with sailors making quick-fire decisions and straying well into the interpretative part of the rules."

The heavyweights of Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team, lying second overall on the Tour before this event, America's Cup sailor Francesco Bruni (ITA) AZZURRA and reigning 'King of the Mountain' Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, knew they each had a dogfight on their hands if they were to progress any further. Unfortunately for them, these three skippers faced a formidable challenge in the might of triple Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie, double ISAF Match Racing World Champion Ian Williams, and current overall tour leader Mathieu Richard. Before going afloat, Mirsky summed up the challenge: "It's a do or die day for us. We need to overtake at least one team but we're up against Ainslie, Williams and Richard."

In the first bout between Williams and Bruni, a constant mix of aggressive yet measured sailing created a fantastic spectacle in front of the grandstand, Williams eventually showing why he's is a 2-time ISAF Match Racing World Champion by taking a closely-fought victory. The clouds were drawing in on the trio of increasingly apprehensive skippers, as Ainslie and Richard similarly outgunned Mirsky and Minoprio respectively.

Francesco Bruni, Azzurra. St Moritz Match Race 2010. World Match Racing Tour. St Moritz, Switzerland. Photo: Ian Roman/WMRT.

Down but not out and with pride and the added incentive of substantial prize money at stake, the underdogs came back for more with renewed determination and eventually Bruni, Minoprio and Mirsky all led their opponents home.
The fight back meant four teams were then tied on 6-5 each, with the final three quarter-final places ultimately decided on count back, with Minoprio, Hansen and Iehl going through, while Bruni and Mirsky left to rue their missed opportunities.

A delighted Ainslie commented: "Conditions out there were very tough for everyone and we're very happy to be going through to the quarter-finals. It was an interesting last race for us, we tried to offload a penalty by gybing on the layline to the windward mark instead of tacking but it didn't work and Bruni got ahead."

Ian Williams, added: "We're very pleased to have a guaranteed top four position and, by winning the round robins, we've secured a place in the semi-finals. We'll be watching the quarter-finals very carefully, trying to learn more about how the breeze is structured on the course, and look for ideas to improve our boat handling."

Elsewhere, Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team and Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team both notched up a impressive victories to leave them each with a 6-5 scoreline whilst Bertrand Pacé (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team took two bullets to secure his place in the next round.

Results after the Round Robin at the St. Moritz Match Race:
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar: 9-2
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAM ORIGIN: 8-3
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team: 7-4
Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team: 7-4
Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team: 6-5
Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team: 6-5
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing: 6-5

Francesco Bruni (ITA) AZZURRA: 6-5
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team: 5-6
Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Racing Team: 4-7
Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team: 2-9
Jérôme Clerc (SUI) CER: 0-11


You can follow the live blog at www.wmrt.com from 1 to 5 September from 11.00am until racing finishes at approximately 18.00

A preview to the St Moritz Match Race can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCqmo-2i3gs

For fans around the world, the event will also be featured in a TV highlights programme called The St Moritz Match Race. Featuring all the action from Lake St. Moritz, it will premiere on Eurosport at 21.35 on 6 October and also show on Eurosport Asia Pacific at 13.45 on 13 October. The programme will be screened on Sky Sports 3 at 18.00 on 22 October.

The St. Moritz Match Race highlights show will be broadcast on channels across the globe including CNBC, Setanta, Showtime, Sky NZ, Sevenload, Yacht and Sail International, America One, ESPN Star Sports, PCTV Mexico, Melita Cable, Bands Sports Brazil as well as local Swiss broadcaster Teleclub. The latest TV schedule for all the races can be viewed at: http://www.wmrt.com/multimedia/tv-schedules.html

*Note: times are subject to change without notification

The French Apprentice Turns Master at the St. Moritz Match Race

St. Moritz, Switzerland - 2 September 2010 - Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team was the aggressor on day two of The St. Moritz Match Race in Switzerland, storming through a run of five successive victories including a comprehensive defeat of the reigning 'King of the Mountain', Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing.

If the spectators expected the relative newcomer to the ISAF World Match Racing Tour to be apprehensive after a disappointing opening day, he did not show it. As the thermally-induced Maloja wind rushed in, the young Frenchman exhibited some deft moves on the water, leading Minoprio around mark one by three lengths and eventually extending his lead all the way to the finish.

Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team in action on day two – photo Ian Roman/WMRT

The ISAF World Match Racing Tour has a rich history of nurturing the best match racing talent and Iehl looked every bit a champion in the making today. His next fight was against another super-tough opponent, Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team, currently ranked second in the Tour. The two skippers jostled and jabbed like boxers to gain the upper hand at the start with only inches separating them. This was toe-to-toe action. Mirsky gained the initial advantage, but Iehl read the subtleties of the wind to perfection, building what proved to be an insurmountable 10-length lead at the first mark.

With two victories under his belt Iehl was unstoppable, even by the might of triple Olympian and America's Cup sailor Francesco Bruni (ITA) AZZURRA. At the start the French team gained the favourable lee bow position and led the accomplished Italian round all three laps of the course.

Iehl, commented: "We had a clear game plan today which gave us the great starts we needed, as well as a strategy that delivered the best course through all the wind shifts. Our teamwork and manoeuvres were spot on too - it was a perfect progression for us from yesterday."



Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar takes charge on day two – photo Ian Roman/WMRT

A classic French - British dogfight is developing between the front runners and if anyone is going to put a counter-attack together on Iehl, there's a strong chance it will come from Ian Wiiliams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar who leads the standings overnight, having won all three of his races today.

Triple Olympic gold medalist and America's Cup skipper, Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN also demonstrated total dominance of his opponents with a clean sweep of victories, as did Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team.

With seven teams advancing to the next stage, three are confirmed as having made the quarter finals, but another six - including some veteran stars - are still in the hunt for the remaining four places.


Results after Day 2 of the St. Moritz Match Race:
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar: 7-1
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN: 6-2
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team: 6-2
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing: 5-3
Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team: 5-4
Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team: 5-4
Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team: 5-4
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team: 4-4
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra: 4-4
Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Racing Team: 2-7
Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team: 2-7
Jérôme Clerc (SUI) CER: 0-8

You can follow the live blog at www.wmrt.com from 1 to 5 September from 11.00am until racing finishes at approximately 18.00

A preview of the St Moritz Match Race will be aired on 1 September on SF1 at 22:20.

A preview to the St Moritz Match Race can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCqmo-2i3gs

For fans around the world, the event will also be featured in a TV highlights programme called The St Moritz Match Race. Featuring all the action from Lake St. Moritz, it will premiere on Eurosport at 21.35 on 6 October and also show on Eurosport Asia Pacific at 13.45 on 13 October. The programme will be screened on Sky Sports 3 at 18.00 on 22 October.

The St. Moritz Match Race highlights show will be broadcast on channels across the globe including CNBC, Setanta, Showtime, Sky NZ, Sevenload, Yacht and Sail International, America One, ESPN Star Sports, PCTV Mexico, Melita Cable, Bands Sports Brazil as well as local Swiss broadcaster Teleclub. The latest TV schedule for all the races can be viewed at: http://www.wmrt.com/multimedia/tv-schedules.html

*Note: times are subject to change without notification

All To Play For At The St. Moritz Match Race

St. Moritz, Switzerland - 1 September 2010 - The opening day of racing at the St. Moritz Match Race dawned bright but cold, with the surface of the lake covered in a thin layer of picturesque mist. However, the tranquil setting belied the intensity of racing that was to come most notably between the British and French teams.

The first start saw double ISAF Match Racing World Champion Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar pitched against local sailor Jérôme Clerc (SUI) Team CER Genève, who gained a wildcard invitation to the event. The young Swiss sailor proved from the outset that he has the talent to mix with sailing's biggest stars, taking the lead just after the start and holding it until tantalisingly close to the finish.

Clerc was next up against Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN. Approaching the first windward mark, Clerc held a small advantage slightly to windward of the British boat, but Ainslie pulled just far enough forward to slip above the Swiss skipper in a deft manoeuvre that cleared his way to round the mark first.
Clerc commented: "It was a lot of fun today - we're not really favourites, but we are really happy to be in contact with them and playing with them."
On board Team GAC Pindar. St Moritz Match Race 2010. World Match Racing Tour. St Moritz, Switzerland. 31st August 2010. Photo: Ian Roman/WMRT.

Ainslie's fight with Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team saw the event's first piece of red-hot anger, including a collision, much shouting between the two teams, and a rapid succession of penalties even before the start gun was fired. With a red flag penalty - to be taken immediately - Iehl's race was effectively over at the start.

The Brits went on to dominate the first part of the day's racing, with both teams winning all their races, including Ainslie's match against current World Match Racing Tour leader Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team. "It's the start we wanted, even though we're a bit rusty having missed the last two events. The conditions were very tricky with 20-25 and even 30, degree windshifts and it was important to connect the gusts, especially downwind."

So what would happen when Ainslie and Williams went head-to-head? After close sparring in the pre-start, Williams held Ainslie out to the wrong side of the committee boat, winning the start by a length and a half. At the windward mark Williams misjudged his tack and collided with Ainslie, but maintained a tenuous lead. At the beginning of the final leg he had extended this to three-lengths, but still had a penalty turn to take before finishing - it was impossible to predict the result, until a gust allowed Williams to extend his lead 150m from the finish line.
Ian Williams,Team GAC Pindar, beats Ben Ainslie, TEAMORIGIN in the round robin of the St Moritz Match Race 2010. World Match Racing Tour. St Moritz, Switzerland. 1st September 2010. Photo: Ian Roman/WMRT.

The French teams came to the fore in the final races of the day. Ainslie and Bertrand Pacé (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team were evenly positioned at the start, with Pacé at the left-hand end of the line. With the stronger gusts on the left-hand side of the course he quickly pulled out a small lead. Pacé, reflected: "Then we just tried to sail with the best wind, choosing the right side of the course and staying in phase with the wind shifts - it's easy to stay ahead of the other guy if you do that in these conditions."

The last race, between Mathieu Richard and Ian Williams, was also the closest. With 15 seconds to go the French skipper looked much too early, yet he found enough wriggle room to make a perfect start, much to the surprise of the spectator crowds. He led throughout the race by the tightest of margins - at the finish just one metre separated the two boats.

Richard, said: "The match with Williams was the most challenging for us today - it was so close all the way. We're very pleased with our results and the way we sailed, although we know we can still make small improvements."

It was also a good day for defending champion St. Moritz Match Race Champion, Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team, who top the rankings along with Williams at the end of day one, each of these skippers having won four races and lost one.

Results after Day 1 of the St. Moritz Match Race:
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing:4-1
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar: 4-1
Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team: 4-1
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN: 3-2
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team: 3-2
Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team: 3-2
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team: 2-3
Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team: 2-3
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra: 2-3
Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Racing Team: 2-3
Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team: 1-4
Jérôme Clerc (SUI) CER: 0-5

You can follow the live blog at www.wmrt.com from 1 to 5 September from 11.00am until racing finishes at approximately 18.00

A preview of the St Moritz Match Race will be aired on 1 September on SF1 at 22:20.

A preview to the St Moritz Match Race can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCqmo-2i3gs

For fans around the world, the event will also be featured in a TV highlights programme called The St Moritz Match Race. Featuring all the action from Lake St. Moritz, it will premiere on Eurosport at 21.35 on 6 October and also show on Eurosport Asia Pacific at 13.45 on 13 October. The programme will be screened on Sky Sports 3 at 18.00 on 22 October.

The St. Moritz Match Race highlights show will be broadcast on channels across the globe including CNBC, Setanta, Showtime, Sky NZ, Sevenload, Yacht and Sail International, America One, ESPN Star Sports, PCTV Mexico, Melita Cable, Bands Sports Brazil as well as local Swiss broadcaster Teleclub. The latest TV schedule for all the races can be viewed at: http://www.wmrt.com/multimedia/tv-schedules.html

*Note: times are subject to change without notification


- Ends -


About the ISAF World Match Racing Tour:

The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) is the leading professional sailing series featuring 9 World Championship events across the globe, sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) with "Special Event" status.

The World Tour awards over US$1.5million in prize money with points awarded at each event culminating in the crowning of the "ISAF Match Racing World Champion". In addition, an incentive to compete in the world's premier sailing series just got bigger. A US$250,000 overall prize pool for the top nine teams with a $50,000 bonus for the outright winner of next year's World Match Racing Tour is now on offer.

Events utilise the same "match race" format used in the America's Cup with racing taking place in identically supplied racing yachts which places a focuses on team work and skill. Racing takes place close to the shore for the general public to follow the races as virtual on-the-water stadiums.

Media and television highlights coverage reaches over 2.1 billion households in excess of 183 countries around the world.

ISAF World Match Racing Tour Calendar
Match Race France 6 - 11 April Marseille, France
Match Race Germany 19 - 24 May Langenargen, Germany
Korea Match Cup 8 - 13 June Gyeonggi, South Korea
Portimão Portugal Match Cup 22 - 27 June Portimão, Portugal
Match Cup Sweden 5 - 11 July Marstrand, Sweden
St Moritz Match Race 31 Aug - 5 Sept St Moritz, Switzerland
Danish Open 8 - 12 Sept Bornholm, Denmark
Argo Group Gold Cup 4 - 10 Oct Hamilton, Bermuda
Monsoon Cup 30 Nov - 5 Dec Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia


2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour Standings
(After Stage 5 of 9)

1. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 77 Points
2. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 60 Points
3. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 54 Points
4. Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 52 Points
5. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 45 Points
6. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 43 Points
7. Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 41 Points
8. Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team 40 Points
9. Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Sigma Racing Team 29 Points
10. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia 16 Points


2010 Tour Card Holders:
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team
Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar


Access to Images, Audio Visual and Press Releases
To download high resolution pictures, audio and video files, and press releases, click on the following link to register your details: http://www.wmrt.com/multimedia.html

Please note: Registration is not automatic and will be reviewed. If you have previously registered on our old website, your username and password will be in our new database. For further enquiries or assistance, please contact media@wmrt.com

Social Media

Facebook Group name - World MatchRacingTour http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/World-Match-RacingTour/307841498309?ref=ts

Twitter Profile name - worldmrt
http://twitter.com/worldmrt

YouTube www.youtube.com/worldmrt

For more information on WMRT, please visit: www.wmrt.com

Issued by Communications Department, WORLD MATCH RACING TOUR
Name : Audrey Lakai
Mob : + 6 012 502 2206
Email : audreylakai@wmrt.com


Press information, please contact Capitalize:
Name: Rupert Hains
Tel: +44 (0) 207 940 1700
Mob: +44 (0) 7887 993 240
Email: media@wmrt.com

Testing Conditions At St. Moritz Match Race Set To Challenge Tour Leaders And Wildcard Qualifiers

TEAMORIGIN. St Moritz Match Race 2010. World Match Racing Tour. St Moritz, Switzerland. 31st August 2010. Photo: Ian Roman/Subzero Images.

St Moritz, Switzerland – 31 August 2010 – The race village at the Segel-Club St. Moritz was buzzing today, with 12 world-class sailing teams making their final preparations for a week of fierce head-to-head competition in the St. Moritz Match Race, the sixth stage of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour Championship.

After a light dusting of snow on the hills above the lake overnight, St. Moritz sparkled in the morning sun. However, the unseasonably cold weather meant the trademark Maloja wind was absent today, leaving sailors to contend with an erratic and chilling northerly breeze. This was light and fitful at the start of the competitors’ registration and weigh-in session, but built to a useful 10-15 knots for the first practice session.
With the Maloja not expected to be fully active for a few days, the challenge of making the most of the shifty winds is uppermost in the minds of many skippers.

Johnie Berntsson (SWE), Berntsson Sailing Team, commented: “This is the second time for us here – it’s a stunning venue and we’re looking forward to it. The shifty winds make it a very challenging place for us, but we are used to that from our home waters near Gothenburg.”

One skipper who is not so worried about the tricky conditions, however, is Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Racing Team. Switzerland’s best match race helmsman, Monnin is currently ranked 26th in the world and has competed at every St. Moritz Match Race. He stepped ashore after today’s practice session relaxed and smiling, saying:
On board with Mathieu Richard and his crew at the St Moritz Match Race 2010. World Match Racing Tour. St Moritz, Switzerland. 31st August 2010. Photo: Ian Roman/Subzero Images.

“We like sailing at our home event. We know the boats and we know we can do well in the shifty conditions – it’s what we’re used to. We do as many of the WMRT events as we can – it’s always great to sail against these people.

“The standard of racing is increasing over time, with dedicated teams having a chance of winning against the America’s Cup sailors. There were coaches on many of the boats today – you didn’t see that here five years ago.”

The WMRT is well established as a pathway to stardom for sailors. Jérôme Clerc (SUI) Team CER Genève is an up and coming Swiss sailor, with the distinction of being the second amateur team in this year’s Tour de France a la Voile. The St Moritz Match Race will be Clerc’s first ISAF Grade WC event, having been awarded a wildcard entry after finishing second in the Qualifier Event 2010 Volvo Match Race, Zug.

Clerc added: “This is a very big challenge for us – we’ve been match racing during the winter for training, but this is our first time with the Tour. It’s a great pleasure to be able to race against the big sailing stars we’ve seen on TV. Match racing is perfect for improving our manoeuvres and crew communication – the courses are very short, so you must be very precise.”

Tomorrow morning will see Clerc pitched straight into one-on-one battles with three of the biggest names in the sailing world, starting with double ISAF World Match Racing Champion Ian Williams (GBR), Team GAC Pindar. In his next race the young Swiss sailor will face Mathieu Richard (FRA), French Match Racing Team, who’s currently at the top of the Tour rankings. Clerc will then go head-to-head against triple Olympic gold medallist and America’s Cup skipper Ben Ainslie (GBR), TEAMORIGIN.

You can follow the live blog at www.wmrt.com from 1 to 5 September from 11.00am until racing finishes at approximately 18.00

A preview of the St Moritz Match Race will be aired on 1 September on SF1 at 22:20.

A preview to the St Moritz Match Race can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCqmo-2i3gs

For fans around the world, the event will also be featured in a TV highlights programme called The St Moritz Match Race. Featuring all the action from Lake St. Moritz, it will premiere on Eurosport at 21.35 on 6 October and also show on Eurosport Asia Pacific at 13.45 on 13 October. The programme will be screened on Sky Sports 3 at 18.00 on 22 October.

The St. Moritz Match Race highlights show will be broadcast on channels across the globe including CNBC, Setanta, Showtime, Sky NZ, Sevenload, Yacht and Sail International, America One, ESPN Star Sports, PCTV Mexico, Melita Cable, Bands Sports Brazil as well as local Swiss broadcaster Teleclub. The latest TV schedule for all the races can be viewed at: http://www.wmrt.com/multimedia/tv-schedules.html

*Note: times are subject to change without notification

- Ends -

About the ISAF World Match Racing Tour:

The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) is the leading professional sailing series featuring 9 World Championship events across the globe, sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) with “Special Event” status.

The World Tour awards over US$1.5million in prize money with points awarded at each event culminating in the crowning of the “ISAF Match Racing World Champion”. In addition, an incentive to compete in the world’s premier sailing series just got bigger. A US$250,000 overall prize pool for the top nine teams with a $50,000 bonus for the outright winner of next year’s World Match Racing Tour is now on offer.

Events utilise the same “match race” format used in the America’s Cup with racing taking place in identically supplied racing yachts which places a focuses on team work and skill. Racing takes place close to the shore for the general public to follow the races as virtual on-the-water stadiums.

Media and television highlights coverage reaches over 2.1 billion households in excess of 183 countries around the world.

ISAF World Match Racing Tour Calendar
Match Race France 6 - 11 April Marseille, France
Match Race Germany 19 – 24 May Langenargen, Germany
Korea Match Cup 8 – 13 June Gyeonggi, South Korea
Portimão Portugal Match Cup 22 – 27 June Portimão, Portugal
Match Cup Sweden 5 – 11 July Marstrand, Sweden
St Moritz Match Race 31 Aug – 5 Sept St Moritz, Switzerland
Danish Open 8 – 12 Sept Bornholm, Denmark
Argo Group Gold Cup 4 – 10 Oct Hamilton, Bermuda
Monsoon Cup 30 Nov – 5 Dec Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia


2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour Standings
(After Stage 5 of 9)

1. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 77 Points
2. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 60 Points
3. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 54 Points
4. Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 52 Points
5. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 45 Points
6. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 43 Points
7. Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 41 Points
8. Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team 40 Points
9. Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Sigma Racing Team 29 Points
10. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia 16 Points


2010 Tour Card Holders:
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team
Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar


Access to Images, Audio Visual and Press Releases
To download high resolution pictures, audio and video files, and press releases, click on the following link to register your details: http://www.wmrt.com/multimedia.html

Please note: Registration is not automatic and will be reviewed. If you have previously registered on our old website, your username and password will be in our new database. For further enquiries or assistance, please contact media@wmrt.com

Social Media

Facebook Group name – World MatchRacingTour http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/World-Match-RacingTour/307841498309?ref=ts

Twitter Profile name – worldmrt
http://twitter.com/worldmrt

YouTube www.youtube.com/worldmrt

For more information on WMRT, please visit: www.wmrt.com

Issued by Communications Department, WORLD MATCH RACING TOUR
Name : Audrey Lakai
Mob : + 6 012 502 2206
Email : audreylakai@wmrt.com


Press information, please contact Capitalize:
Name: Rupert Hains
Tel: +44 (0) 207 940 1700
Mob: +44 (0) 7887 993 240
Email: media@wmrt.com

World Class Sailors Prepare To Do Battle In The Sky At World Match Racing Tour Championship

St Moritz, Switzerland – 30 August 2010 – Twelve of the world’s most successful skippers, including Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN, Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing and Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team, are preparing for a week-long series of head-to-head battles at the St Moritz Match Race.

The Swiss resort is a stunning sailing venue, despite being almost 2km above sea level, thanks to the legendary Maloja wind. This thermal breeze, created by rapid heating of the steep mountains above the resort, funnels through the valley to give reliable winds of 10-25 knots from mid-morning until sunset.
Teams will have only a short practice race to get to grips with the Blu26, the lightest and most manoeuvrable design used in the ISAF World Match Racing Tour Championship. They are optimised for racing on Alpine lakes and designed specifically for the one-on-one dogfights of match racing.

The boats’ awesome power to weight ratio and lightning-quick acceleration make for a furious pace in the all-important pre-start manoeuvres, with skippers faced with a rapid-fire of split-second win-or-lose decisions. At the same time, their crew’s boat handling is tested to the limit – anything other than millimetre-perfection and immaculate choreography will hand their opponent a crucial advantage.

The requirement for perfection in such a high-intensity battle is a tall order even for the world’s best sailors. Ben Ainslie, winner of the last leg of the WMRT, the STENA Match Cup Sweden, and Britain’s most successful sailor ever, with three Olympic gold medals, knows all too well there is no room for complacency:

“We are looking forward to getting back into the World Match Racing Tour Championship; we are planning to do four events between now and the end of the year – St Moritz, the Danish Open, Argo Group Gold Cup and the Monsoon Cup.

“Currently we are lying fifth in the rankings so we will be focusing on improving on that status. St Moritz should be a challenging lake venue, and those conditions, combined with the new four-person Blu26 boats, means we will have a lot to take on in a short space of time."

Richard, is at the top of the overall rankings going into the event, but will be looking to improve on their performance in Sweden, where Ainslie knocked them out in the quarter finals with a 2-1 scoreline. Minoprio, the reigning ‘King of the Mountains’, however, is a significant force to be reckoned with and will not relinquish his title without the most gruelling of fights.

A preview to the St Moritz Match Race can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCqmo-2i3gs

For fans around the world, the event will also be featured in a TV highlights programme called The St Moritz Match Race. Featuring all the action from Lake St. Moritz, it will premiere on Eurosport at 21.35 on 6 October and also show on Eurosport Asia Pacific at 13.45 on 13 October. The programme will be screened on Sky Sports 3 at 18.00 on 22 October.

The St. Moritz Match Race highlights show will be broadcast on channels across the globe including CNBC, Setanta, Showtime, Sky NZ, Sevenload, Yacht and Sail International, America One, ESPN Star Sports, PCTV Mexico, Melita Cable, Bands Sports Brazil as well as local Swiss broadcaster Teleclub. The latest TV schedule for all the races can be viewed at: http://www.wmrt.com/multimedia/tv-schedules.html

*Note: times are subject to change without notification

- Ends -

About the ISAF World Match Racing Tour:

The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) is the leading professional sailing series featuring 9 World Championship events across the globe, sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) with “Special Event” status.

The World Tour awards over US$1.5million in prize money with points awarded at each event culminating in the crowning of the “ISAF Match Racing World Champion”. In addition, an incentive to compete in the world’s premier sailing series just got bigger. A US$250,000 overall prize pool for the top nine teams with a $50,000 bonus for the outright winner of next year’s World Match Racing Tour is now on offer.

Events utilise the same “match race” format used in the America’s Cup with racing taking place in identically supplied racing yachts which places a focuses on team work and skill. Racing takes place close to the shore for the general public to follow the races as virtual on-the-water stadiums.

Media and television highlights coverage reaches over 2.1 billion households in excess of 183 countries around the world.

ISAF World Match Racing Tour Calendar
Match Race France 6 - 11 April Marseille, France
Match Race Germany 19 – 24 May Langenargen, Germany
Korea Match Cup 8 – 13 June Gyeonggi, South Korea
Portimão Portugal Match Cup 22 – 27 June Portimão, Portugal
Match Cup Sweden 5 – 11 July Marstrand, Sweden
St Moritz Match Race 31 Aug – 5 Sept St Moritz, Switzerland
Danish Open 8 – 12 Sept Bornholm, Denmark
Argo Group Gold Cup 4 – 10 Oct Hamilton, Bermuda
Monsoon Cup 30 Nov – 5 Dec Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia


2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour Standings
(After Stage 5 of 9)

1. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 77 Points
2. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 60 Points
3. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 54 Points
4. Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 52 Points
5. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 45 Points
6. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 43 Points
7. Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 41 Points
8. Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team 40 Points
9. Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Sigma Racing Team 29 Points
10. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia 16 Points


2010 Tour Card Holders:
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team
Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar


Access to Images, Audio Visual and Press Releases
To download high resolution pictures, audio and video files, and press releases, click on the following link to register your details: http://www.wmrt.com/multimedia.html

Please note: Registration is not automatic and will be reviewed. If you have previously registered on our old website, your username and password will be in our new database. For further enquiries or assistance, please contact media@wmrt.com

Social Media

Facebook Group name – World MatchRacingTour http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/World-Match-RacingTour/307841498309?ref=ts

Twitter Profile name – worldmrt http://twitter.com/worldmrt

YouTube www.youtube.com/worldmrt

For more information on WMRT, please visit: www.wmrt.com

Issued by Communications Department, WORLD MATCH RACING TOUR
Name : Audrey Lakai
Mob : + 6 012 502 2206
Email : audreylakai@wmrt.com


Press information, please contact Capitalize:
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MINOPRIO RETURNS TO ST. MORITZ TO MAKE HIS MOVE ON WORLD MATCH RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

26 AUGUST 2010

Defending ISAF World Match Racing Champion Adam Minoprio © SubZero Images

London, UK – 26 August 2010 – Defending World Match Racing Champion, Adam Minoprio and his ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing team are looking to put their nearest rivals to the sword at the St. Moritz Match Cup next week as the business end of the Tour gets underway.

The idyllic setting of Lake St. Moritz high in the Swiss Alps will play host to a series of fierce one-on-one sailing battles as the top names in the ISAF World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) compete for the coveted ‘King of the Mountains’ title. The man to beat is defending St. Moritz Match Cup Champion, Adam Minoprio (NZL), who comprehensively outgunned his rivals in 2009 on his way to taking the overall World Match Racing Championship. The New Zealander leads a crop of young sailors looking to outshine the more established names in match racing and leaves no doubt about his desire to repeat his feat of 2009.

Minoprio, said: “We want to keep the ‘King of the Mountain’s’ title in our trophy cabinet but we know the challenge from the eleven other competing teams in St. Moritz will be tough. No one is going there to take in the scenery and make up the numbers so my team will need to be right on top of our tactical game to ensure we are on top of the podium come Sunday. We’re into the second half of the Tour now so we’re fully focused, the adrenaline is pumping and the overall title is front of mind.”

St Moritz © Loris Von Siebenthal

Twelve teams representing seven nations will compete for the honours which include the winning prize money of CHF 150,000. In addition to Minoprio, the competition will include current Tour leader, Mathieu Richard (FRA) with French Match Racing, and Ben Ainslie (GBR) - the quadruple Olympic medalist and skipper of Britain’s America’s Cup Challenger, Team Origin. Torvar Mirsky (AUS), Ian Williams (GBR), Francesco Bruni (ITA), Björn Hansen (SWE), Bertrand Pacé (FRA), Damien Iehl (FRA) and Eric Monnin (SUI) will also battle it out on Lake St. Moritz together with a group of promising qualifiers.

Sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) with “Special Event” status, the Tour sits amongst the prestige of the America’s Cup and The Volvo Ocean Race by attracting the world’s best sailors. The St. Moritz Match Cup is the 6th Stage in the epic 9 event Tour which includes races in France, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Sweden, Korea, Bermuda and Denmark, culminating in November/December 2010 with the high-profile Monsoon Cup in Malaysia.

St Moritz © Loris Von Siebenthal

Jim O’Toole, CEO of the ISAF World Match Race Tour, commented: “The stunning setting, the best sailors, head-to-head close up action, passionate fans – next week’s event in St. Moritz is what the World Match Racing Tour is all about. The teams all want to get under the skin of their nearest rivals and take the bragging rights into the next Tour stage. I’m looking forward to seeing the action on the water where there’s still all to play for in the race to become the World Match Racing Champion.”

For fans around the world, the event will also be featured in a TV highlights programme called The St Moritz Match Race. Featuring all the action from Lake St. Moritz, it will premiere on Eurosport at 21.35 on 6 October and also show on Eurosport Asia Pacific at 13.45 on 13 October. The programme will be screened on Sky Sports 3 at 18.00 on 22 October.

The St. Moritz Match Race highlights show will be broadcast on channels across the globe including CNBC, Setanta, Showtime, Sky NZ, Sevenload, Yacht and Sail International, America One, ESPN Star Sports, PCTV Mexico, Melita Cable, Bands Sports Brazil as well as local Swiss broadcaster Teleclub. The latest TV schedule for all the races can be viewed at: http://www.wmrt.com/multimedia/tv-schedules.html
*Note: times are subject to change without notification

- Ends -

About the ISAF World Match Racing Tour:
The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) is the leading professional sailing series featuring 9 World Championship events across the globe, sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) with “Special Event” status.

The World Tour awards over US$1.5million in prize money with points awarded at each event culminating in the crowning of the “ISAF Match Racing World Champion”. In addition, an incentive to compete in the world’s premier sailing series just got bigger. A US$250,000 overall prize pool for the top nine teams with a $50,000 bonus for the outright winner of next year’s World Match Racing Tour is now on offer.

Events utilise the same “match race” format used in the America’s Cup with racing taking place in identically supplied racing yachts which places a focuses on team work and skill. Racing takes place close to the shore for the general public to follow the races as virtual on-the-water stadiums.

Media and television highlights coverage reaches over 2.1 billion households in excess of 183 countries around the world.

ISAF World Match Racing Tour Calendar
Match Race France 6 - 11 April Marseille, France
Match Race Germany 19 – 24 May Langenargen, Germany
Korea Match Cup 8 – 13 June Gyeonggi, South Korea
Portimão Portugal Match Cup 22 – 27 June Portimão, Portugal
Match Cup Sweden 5 – 11 July Marstrand, Sweden
St Moritz Match Race 31 Aug – 5 Sept St Moritz, Switzerland
Danish Open 8 – 12 Sept Bornholm, Denmark
Argo Group Gold Cup 4 – 10 Oct Hamilton, Bermuda
Monsoon Cup 30 Nov – 5 Dec Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour Standings
(After Stage 5 of 9)
1. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 77 Points
2. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 60 Points
3. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 54 Points
4. Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 52 Points
5. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 45 Points
6. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 43 Points
7. Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 41 Points
8. Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team 40 Points
9. Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Sigma Racing Team 29 Points
10. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia 16 Points

2010 Tour Card Holders:
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team
Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar

Access to Images, Audio Visual and Press Releases
To download high resolution pictures, audio and video files, and press releases, click on the following link to register your details: http://www.wmrt.com/multimedia.html

Please note: Registration is not automatic and will be reviewed. If you have previously registered on our old website, your username and password will be in our new database. For further enquiries or assistance, please contact media@wmrt.com

Social Media

Facebook Group name – World MatchRacingTour http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/World-Match-RacingTour/307841498309?ref=ts

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YouTube www.youtube.com/worldmrt

For more information on WMRT, please visit: www.wmrt.com

Issued by Communications Department, WORLD MATCH RACING TOUR
Name : Audrey Lakai
Mob : + 6 012 502 2206
Email : audreylakai@wmrt.com

Press information, please contact Capitalize:
Name: Rupert Hains
Tel: +44 (0) 207 940 1700
Mob: +44 (0) 7887 993 240
Email: media@wmrt.com

QINGDAO PROMOTER UNABLE TO HOST EVENT

23 AUGUST 2010

London, UK – 23 August 2010 - The World Match Racing Tour regrets to announce that The Qingdao Match Cup has been cancelled after the local organising authorities were unable to commit to hosting the event.

Despite an agreement having been concluded in June 2010 the local authorities have been unable to meet the requirements outlined by WMRT.

WMRT remains committed to the expansion and development of the world championship series and continues its discussions with potential cities.

-Ends-

About the ISAF World Match Racing Tour:
The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) is the leading professional sailing series featuring 10 World Championship events across the globe, sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) with “Special Event” status.

The World Tour awards over US$1.5million in prize money with points awarded at each event culminating in the crowning of the “ISAF Match Racing World Champion”. In addition, an incentive to compete in the world’s premier sailing series just got bigger. A US$250,000 overall prize pool for the top nine teams with a $50,000 bonus for the outright winner of next year’s World Match Racing Tour is now on offer.

Events utilise the same “match race” format used in the America’s Cup with racing taking place in identically supplied racing yachts which places a focuses on team work and skill. Racing takes place close to the shore for the general public to follow the races as virtual on-the-water stadiums.

Media and television highlights coverage reaches over 2.1 billion households in excess of 183 countries around the world.

ISAF World Match Racing Tour Calendar
Match Race France 6 - 11 April Marseille, France
Match Race Germany 19 – 24 May Langenargen, Germany
Korea Match Cup 8 – 13 June Gyeonggi, South Korea
Portimão Portugal Match Cup 22 – 27 June Portimão, Portugal
Match Cup Sweden 5 – 11 July Marstrand, Sweden
St Moritz Match Race 31 Aug – 5 Sept St Moritz, Switzerland
Danish Open 8 – 12 Sept Bornholm, Denmark
Argo Group Gold Cup 4 – 10 Oct Hamilton, Bermuda
Monsoon Cup 30 Nov – 5 Dec Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour Standings
(After Stage 5 of 10)
1. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 77 Points
2. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 60 Points
3. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 54 Points
4. Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 52 Points
5. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 45 Points
6. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 43 Points
7. Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 41 Points
8. Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team 40 Points
9. Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Sigma Racing Team 29 Points
10. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia 16 Points

2010 Tour Card Holders:
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team
Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar

Access to Images, Audio Visual and Press Releases
To download high resolution pictures, audio and video files, and press releases, click on the following link to register your details: http://www.wmrt.com/multimedia.html

Please note: Registration is not automatic and will be reviewed. If you have previously registered on our old website, your username and password will be in our new database. For further enquiries or assistance, please contact Yvonne Reid at yvonnereid@wmrt.com

Social Media

Facebook Group name – World MatchRacingTour http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/World-Match-RacingTour/307841498309?ref=ts

Twitter Profile name – worldmrt
http://twitter.com/worldmrt

YouTube www.youtube.com/worldmrt

For more information on WMRT, please visit: www.wmrt.com

Issued by Communications Department, WORLD MATCH RACING TOUR
Name : Audrey Lakai
Mob : + 6 012 502 2206
Email : audreylakai@wmrt.com

Press information, please contact Capitalize:
Name: Rupert Hains
Tel: +44 (0) 207 940 1700
Mob: +44 (0) 7887 993 240
Email: media@wmrt.com

ISAF World Match Racing Tour Features On CNN Flagship Show Mainsail

19 AUGUST 2010 London, UK – 19 August 2010 - The ISAF World Match Racing Tour, the world championship series of head-to-head racing, continues to grab the media spotlight with action from the fifth and most recent round in Sweden providing the focus for CNN’s flagship sailing programme MainSail. The programme which aired for the first time today at 12.30 and 16.30 will be repeated on Saturday 21 August at 07.30, 17.30 and 20.00 again on Sunday 22 August at 03.00, 07.30 and 15.00 (all times GMT) features the thrilling action from the Stena Match Cup Sweden which saw Britain’s three time Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie crowned the ‘Maestro of Marstrand’. The programme fronted by Shirley Robertson showcases the unique nature of match racing, the same format of racing used in the America’s Cup. Having established itself as the foremost training ground for America’s Cup skippers The World Match Racing Tour continues to feature the very best sailors in the world as they look to hone their skills. The programme will be aired across all CNN’s platforms in EMEA, North America, Latin America and South Asia. The feature is yet another boost for the World Match Racing Tour which is gaining an increasing global media profile with highlights of the Tour being shown in over 180 countries on channels such as CNBC, Eurosport, Setanta Africa, Sky Sports, ESPN Star Sports and Fox Sports. Following a mid-season break The World Match Racing Tour is set to spring back into action with the world’s best sailors locking horns in a double header. The St Moritz Match Race takes place from 31 August to 5 September and will be followed immediately by the Danish Open in Bronholm from 8 to 12 September. -Ends- About the ISAF World Match Racing Tour: The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) is the leading professional sailing series featuring 10 World Championship events across the globe, sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) with “Special Event” status. The World Tour awards over US$1.5million in prize money with points awarded at each event culminating in the crowning of the “ISAF Match Racing World Champion”. In addition, an incentive to compete in the world’s premier sailing series just got bigger. A US$250,000 overall prize pool for the top nine teams with a $50,000 bonus for the outright winner of next year’s World Match Racing Tour is now on offer. Events utilise the same “match race” format used in the America’s Cup with racing taking place in identically supplied racing yachts which places a focuses on team work and skill. Racing takes place close to the shore for the general public to follow the races as virtual on-the-water stadiums. Media and television highlights coverage reaches over 2.1 billion households in excess of 183 countries around the world. ISAF World Match Racing Tour Calendar Match Race France 6 - 11 April Marseille, France Match Race Germany 19 – 24 May Langenargen, Germany Korea Match Cup 8 – 13 June Gyeonggi, South Korea Portimão Portugal Match Cup 22 – 27 June Portimão, Portugal Match Cup Sweden 5 – 11 July Marstrand, Sweden St Moritz Match Race 31 Aug – 5 Sept St Moritz, Switzerland Danish Open 8 – 12 Sept Bornholm, Denmark Argo Group Gold Cup 4 – 10 Oct Hamilton, Bermuda Qingdao Match Cup 19 – 24 Oct Qingdao, China Monsoon Cup 30 Nov – 5 Dec Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia 2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour Standings (After Stage 5 of 10) 1. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 77 Points 2. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 60 Points 3. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 54 Points 4. Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 52 Points 5. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 45 Points 6. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 43 Points 7. Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 41 Points 8. Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team 40 Points 9. Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Sigma Racing Team 29 Points 10. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia 16 Points 2010 Tour Card Holders: Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar Access to Images, Audio Visual and Press Releases To download high resolution pictures, audio and video files, and press releases, click on the following link to register your details: http://www.wmrt.com/multimedia.html Please note: Registration is not automatic and will be reviewed. If you have previously registered on our old website, your username and password will be in our new database. For further enquiries or assistance, please contact Yvonne Reid at yvonnereid@wmrt.com Social Media Facebook Group name – World MatchRacingTour http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/World-Match-RacingTour/307841498309?ref=ts Twitter Profile name – worldmrt http://twitter.com/worldmrt YouTube www.youtube.com/worldmrt For more information on WMRT, please visit: www.wmrt.com Issued by Communications Department, WORLD MATCH RACING TOUR Name : Audrey Lakai Mob : + 6 012 502 2206 Email : audreylakai@wmrt.com Press information, please contact Capitalize: Name: Rupert Hains Tel: +44 (0) 207 940 1700 Mob: +44 (0) 7887 993 240 Email: media@wmrt.com

THE MONSOON CUP PROVIDES INCENTIVE FOR NEXT GENERATION OF SAILING STARS

18 AUGUST 2010


Sailors aged 25 and below from outside Asia can compete at Asian Match Racing Championship

Phil Robertson (NZL), Team WAKA Racing at 2009 Asian Match Racing Championship - photo by subZero Images

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 18 August 2010: A ground breaking initiative announced today by The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) will ensure that young sailors have the chance to compete for a place in the WMRT’s prestigious season ending finale, the Monsoon Cup.

The Asian Match Racing Championship (AMRC), a qualifying event for the glittering Monsoon Cup, is set to allow sailors under the age of 25 from outside of Asia to compete in the event for the first time this year, as well as other Asian teams.

This unique decision was taken by the AMRC to help encourage the development of match racing, a unique style of competitive sailing which sees participants go head-to-head in close quarters on the water. Current ISAF World Match Racing Tour Champion (WMRT), Adam Minoprio, has shown just what the AMRC can do for a sailor’s career having first made a name for himself by winning the AMRC in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

2009 Asian Match Racing Championships in action! - photo by SubZero Images

The AMRC will now look to replicate that story by allowing more young sailing talent from around the world the opportunity to race in the Championship, which gives the winner a berth in the Monsoon Cup at the end of the year. The sailing hotspots of Australia and New Zealand already come under the territory of Asia with regards to the WMRT and so the decision to open the field yet further is sure to make this year’s AMRC the most competitive yet. The World Match Racing Tour is the well worn pathway to the America’s Cup and is targeted by many of these young sailors.

Monsoon Cup Race Advisor, Peter Gilmour, said: “We have had many requests from professional sailors globally who want to compete in the Monsoon Cup. I sincerely believe the decision to open the field to youth sailors from around the world will be a step in the right direction for both the sport and Malaysian sailing.

“We need to develop more events for the youth and I’m happy the AMRC is taking that step forward. Three Turkish sailors and two from the Philippines signed up for the recent Monsoon Sailing School. This shows there is real interest in the sport from all over the world and many are looking at Malaysia as the hub for Asian Match Racing. As such, I feel all the initiatives taken under the Monsoon Cup umbrella will help achieve this.”

Asian Match Racing Championship - photo by SubZero Images

Besides Minoprio, last year’s AMRC winner, Phil Robertson, has also started to stamp his name in match racing with victory in the Korea Match Cup qualifiers earlier this year. He went on to finish 11th overall in the Korea Match Cup.

This year the AMRC takes place from the 26th to 29th October at the Ri- Yaz Heritage Marina Resort & Spa in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, the home venue of the Monsoon Cup.

The AMRC is one of two events of which the winners will gain a berth into the Monsoon Cup, the other being the Malaysian Match Racing Championships (MMRC) which take place on 20th to 23rd October at Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort & Spa.

For further information contact Mira Navaretna at mira@tbest.com.my or visit www.monsooncup.com.my for more information

-Ends-

About the Asian Match Racing Championships (AMRC)
At its debut in 2006, the AMRC saw participation from five regional teams, including from Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong, racing in the world-class Pulau Duyong match race circuit, which is also the venue for the Monsoon Cup.

Last year saw a massive increase in interest with over 30 international teams applying for a chance to compete. But only seven selected teams were racing in the AMRC, including two from Malaysia. Now its grown to include the participation of youths under 25 from around the globe.

Asian Match Racing Championship Winners:
2006 - Adam Minoprio (NZL) – BlackMatch Racing
2007 - Adam Minoprio (NZL) – BlackMatch Racing
2008 - Keith Swinton (AUS) – BlackSwan Racing
2009 – Phil Robertsson (NZL), Team New Zealand WAKA Racing

About the ISAF World Match Racing Tour:
The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) is the leading professional sailing series featuring 10 World Championship events across the globe, sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) with “Special Event” status.

The World Tour awards over US$1.5million in prize money with points awarded at each event culminating in the crowning of the “ISAF Match Racing World Champion”. In addition, an incentive to compete in the world’s premier sailing series just got bigger. A US$250,000 overall prize pool for the top nine teams with a $50,000 bonus for the outright winner of next year’s World Match Racing Tour is now on offer.

Events utilise the same “match race” format used in the America’s Cup with racing taking place in identically supplied racing yachts which places a focuses on team work and skill. Racing takes place close to the shore for the general public to follow the races as virtual on-the-water stadiums.

Media and television highlights coverage reaches over 2.1 billion households in excess of 183 countries around the world.

ISAF World Match Racing Tour Calendar
Match Race France 6 - 11 April Marseille, France
Match Race Germany 19 – 24 May Langenargen, Germany
Korea Match Cup 8 – 13 June Gyeonggi, South Korea
Portimão Portugal Match Cup 22 – 27 June Portimão, Portugal
Match Cup Sweden 5 – 11 July Marstrand, Sweden
St Moritz Match Race 31 Aug – 5 Sept St Moritz, Switzerland
Danish Open 8 – 12 Sept Bornholm, Denmark
Argo Group Gold Cup 4 – 10 Oct Hamilton, Bermuda
Qingdao Match Cup 19 – 24 Oct Qingdao, China
Monsoon Cup 30 Nov – 5 Dec Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour Standings
(After Stage 5 of 10)
1. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 77 Points
2. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 60 Points
3. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 54 Points
4. Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 52 Points
5. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 45 Points
6. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 43 Points
7. Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 41 Points
8. Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team 40 Points
9. Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Sigma Racing Team 29 Points
10. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia 16 Points

2010 Tour Card Holders:
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team
Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar

Access to Images, Audio Visual and Press Releases
To download high resolution pictures, audio and video files, and press releases, click on the following link to register your details: http://www.wmrt.com/multimedia.html

Please note: Registration is not automatic and will be reviewed. If you have previously registered on our old website, your username and password will be in our new database. For further enquiries or assistance, please contact Yvonne Reid at yvonnereid@wmrt.com

Social Media

Facebook Group name – World MatchRacingTour http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/World-Match-RacingTour/307841498309?ref=ts

Twitter Profile name – worldmrt
http://twitter.com/worldmrt

YouTube www.youtube.com/worldmrt

For more information on WMRT, please visit: www.wmrt.com

Issued by Communications Department, WORLD MATCH RACING TOUR
Name : Audrey Lakai
Mob : + 6 012 502 2206
Email : audreylakai@wmrt.com

Press information, please contact Capitalize:
Name: Rupert Hains
Tel: +44 (0) 207 940 1700
Mob: +44 (0) 7887 993 240
Email: media@wmrt.com