BlackMatch versus Peter Wibroe (DEN) in the quarterfinals off Pornichet, France. Image copyright Claude Gibault.
from Adam Minoprio
Saturday we completed the quarterfinal stage of the Internationaux de France but unfortunately couldn't progress any further in the regatta, losing in somewhat unfortunate circumstances to Peter Wibroe from Denmark. Conditions were extremely tough with a steady 18 knot breeze and a very big swell.
Peter eventually took out the quarter final 3-2 and we had some very close racing, but things just didn't quite go our way today. Perhaps the best example of this was when we were leading 2-1 on match point and the shackle holding our jib up gave way seconds after the start, forcing us to retire and handing Wibroe an uncontested victory. During the deciding race we felt our boat speed and crew work was really good but after an even start we received a tough penalty half way up the first beat when our rigs clashed in a tacking duel. We had the lead going into the final downwind but did not have enough to do our penalty turn, we waited for the Danes in an attempt to gain a penalty back on them but they were equal to the task and managed to sail around us while we were handed a second penalty for sailing them past our proper course.
Close racing between Minoprio and Wibroe in the quarterfinals of the 2008 Internationaux de France, the Trophée Manu Minard. Image copyright Claude Gibault.
It was an unfortunate way to bow out of the regatta but we remain upbeat about all we have learnt over the past few days with a lot of excellent racing here in France. Following our loss in the quarter final we took on Frenchman Alexi Littoz-Barritel and won our way through to face off with another Frenchman Brenac tomorrow, in a battle for 5th place.
With still plenty to sail for Sunday we are hoping to finish the regatta on a positive note and take out 5th place. We would also like to congratulate the teams who made the semi finals and look forward to seeing who will take out the 2008 Internationaux de France. Mathieu Richard is currently leading his semi final over Damien Iehl 2-1 while Torvar Mirsky is leading Peter Wibroe 2-0.
Trophée Manu Minard
BlackMatch Racing
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