BlackMatch at the New Zealand Match Racing Nationals 2008

by David Swete

We have now (26th November) returned to our home waters to compete in the hotly contested New Zealand Match Racing Nationals and with such an awesome line up here in Auckland, the scene is set for an exciting week. Last years runner up Dean Barker from 'Emirates Team New Zealand' and Ben Ainslie's 'Team Origin' are two very high profile America's Cup Team's competing here, while Rod Davis who also sails for Emirates Team New Zealand, is hoping to emulate his emphatic win in last years nationals. Dean and Rod look to already be setting the early pace remaining unbeaten after 5 matches, while there are a host of teams with only 1 loss and this includes BlackMatch and Ben Ainslie.

Tony Rae from Emirates Team New Zealand has joined us for this regatta, he is trimming main and will also be sailing with us in the Monsoon Cup World Tour Finale next week. This weeks regatta is not only a prestigious event in itself, but it is also an awesome opportunity to prepare for the Monsoon Cup where a good placing would see us challenge for a spot on the World Tour Podium, as we are currently lying forth in the World Tour standings.

We had wins against Jan Dawson, Reuben Corbett and Adrian Short, while our loss today came against the all girls crew skippered by Jessica Smyth. Jess and her Georgia Racing team who are vying for a spot in the 2012 Olympics, were on fire today. Not only were they starting well but they were also tactically very sharp and have also notched up 3 wins. In our race against them they held excellent momentum off the start line and got the all important first shift, from then on we were playing catch up but they defended their lead well to take a well deserved 6 second victory.

Weather permitting tomorrow will see a full day of racing and the completion of Round Robin One. There is a second round robin scheduled before the top four teams are found to progress through to the semi final stage. We are hoping to have a good day against the top seeds tomorrow and look forward to the challenge of the tricky Waitemata Harbour conditions.

BlackMatch Racing