Aussies and Kiwis top the pile at the Toyota Sopot Match Race 2008, Poland - Day 2

Close match racing in Poland. Image copyright Juerg Kaufmann (www.go4image.com).

Report from Juerg Kaufmann

Sopot, 17th July 2008 – The Round Robin of the Toyota Sopot Match Race 2008 Grade 1 event isn’t finished yet. After 19 out of 22 flights the leader is Keith Swinton (AUS) with 9 points in 11 matches. Great crew work and a good feeling for the Diamant 3000 give him the power to win the matches.


Image copyright Juerg Kaufmann (www.go4image.com).

Most of the day there was a beautiful sunny sky and perfect wind. The race course was alongside the famous Sopot Pier, where hundred of spectators followed the intense racing.


Wibroe (Denmark) in a tight match. Image copyright Juerg Kaufmann (www.go4image.com).

“It is third time that we are here and we really enjoy returning to this event. Toyota Sopot Match Race has developed during the last few years and is now on a level comparable to the most prestigious events that we have sailed. The boats and the sailing conditions fit our way of sailing so we really hope that we can repeat the success from last year”, said Peter Wibroe (Denmark), the winner of last year’s edition.


Close encounters match racing in Poland. Image copyright Juerg Kaufmann (www.go4image.com).

“Today we had some close races – especially the first against Polish skipper Rafal Sawicki who surprised us when he won the pre-start. Luckily we managed to overtake him on the second upwind leg and extend our lead to win the first match. In our race against Adam Minoprio (New Zealand) we were given 2 penalties after a 30 knot guest stopped us from tacking, resulting in a starboard collision”, said Torvar Mirsky from Australia.


Adam Minoprio, Black Match - Emirates Team New Zealand, at the Toyota Sopot Match Race in Poland. Image copyright Juerg Kaufmann (www.go4image.com).

New this year are the onboard cameras, similar to the ones used in the America's Cup, giving the web spectators a full view of onboard action from this world class sailing event. The tactics can be followed thanks to a real-time GPS signal. Check out: http://www.yachting.com.pl


Lindberg (FIN) vs. Tarnacki (POL). Image copyright Juerg Kaufmann (www.go4image.com).

Curent standings after 19 out of 22 flights (points - number of matches):

Keith Swinton (AUS), 9 - 11
Adam Minoprio (NZL), 8 - 11
Torvar Mirsky (AUS), 6 - 8
Andrew Arbuzov (RUS), 6 - 11
Peter Wibroe (DEN), 5 - 8
Przemek Tarnacki (POL), 5 - 11
Eric Monnin (SUI), 4 - 8
Ian Ainslie (RSA), 4 - 8
Eugeny Neugodnikov (RUS), 3.5 - 7
Staffan Lindberg (FIN), 3.5 - 7
Marek Stańczyk (POL), 1 - 11
Rafał Sawicki (POL), 1 - 11

Toyota Sopot Match Race 2008