2009 Tour schedule now up to ten events spanning ten countries and over US$1.2 million in total prize money
by Yvonne Reid
The World Match Racing Tour is pleased to announce that Marseille International Match Race (MIMR) has been added as the first stop on the 2009 Tour season schedule. The event, organized by the Yachting Club de Point Rouge (YCPR) and supported by the City of Marseille, will be held over 10 – 15 March.
“We’re very pleased to have this event in Marseille”, said Tour Director Craig Mitchell. “The event has a long history of excellence at ISAF Grade 1 level, and has always attracted strong interest as the first high-graded event in the European season. This is a perfect match for it to be on the Tour.”
Jean Pierre Champion, President of the French Sailing Federation said "Hosting an event of the Tour has been a long term goal of the F F Voile. The creation of a French National Championship Tour started 20 years ago. The championship went to all French regions in order to develop Match Racing. The system has produced sailors such as Sébastien Col and Mathieu Richard along with Americas Cup competitors Bertrand Pace and Philippe Presti. I am really happy to see this event going to Marseille who have invested a lot in Match Racing facilities, as the organization of one ACT of the last Americas Cup has proved. It is also a good boost for the members of the French Match Racing Team after their two runners up places in the last two years. It is always important to compete in an event of the Tour in your own country, even more when the goal is to win the World Championship. Last but not least I'm very happy for the Yachting Club de la Pointe Rouge and the wonderful MIMR event which has been one of the reference ISAF Grade 1 events for the past few years."
12 Teams will race in eight equally-matched J/80 class yachts, and the total prize money purse is 50,000 Euros. MIMR’s qualifier event is the Y’s Cup and will draw on two teams from the 10-team format, held over 7-8 February in Marseille at YCPR.
The new Tour Card policy will guarantee invitations for 8 of the top teams from the 2008 season, with one being Sébastien Col of the French Match Racing Team/K-Challenge. While Col finished second in the 2008 season championship to two-time reigning World Champion Ian Williams and his Bahrain Team Pindar, he may find this event particularly favorable for his 2009 championship hopes as YCPR is his home club.
Marseille International Match Race
About the World Match Racing Tour:
• The World Match Racing Tour is the leading professional sailing series featuring 10 World Championship events across the globe
• The World Tour is sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) with “Special Event” status
• The World Tour awards over US$1.5million in prize money
• Points are awarded at each event culminating in the crowning of the ‘ISAF Match Racing World Champion’
• Events utilize 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 600 million households in excess of 90 countries around the world.
• World Match Racing Tour sponsors include Line 7, Pindar, Custom House, Travel Places, Wedgwood and Sail.TV
2009 TOUR SCHEDULE
Date/Event/Location
March 10 - 15, 2009 Marseille International Match Race/ Marseille, France
May 27 - June 1, 2009 Match Race Germany/ Langenargen, Germany
June 2 - 7, 2009 Korea Match Cup/ Gyeonggi, Korea
June 16 - 21, 2009 Portugal Match Cup/ Troia, Portugal
June 29 - July 5, 2009 Match Cup Sweden/ Marstrand, Sweden
September 1 - 6, 2009 St Moritz Match Race/ St Moritz, Switzerland
September 9 - 13, 2009 Danish Open/ Denmark
September 22 - 27, 2009 Brasil Sailing Cup/ Brazil
October 5 - 11, 2009 King Edward VII Gold Cup/ Hamilton, Bermuda
December 1 - 6, 2009 Monsoon Cup/ K.Terengganu, Malaysia
World Match Racing Tour
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