WMRT: What a Difference a Day Makes

Adam Minoprio (NZL) from BlackMatch Racing. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/World Match Racing Tour.

by Dobbs Davis

Unlike yesterday’s brisk 35-knot Mistral conditions, deemed too breezy for sailing, Stage One Round Robin racing today has been postponed for an hour while PRO Gerard Bosse and his race management team have been awaiting the fill of a light northwesterly breeze.

While awaiting their turns in the rotation, we had a chance to catch up with the two youngest Card-holding teams on the Tour and their thoughts on strategy for this year’s Tour. Both are from the Antipodes, and both are led by skippers under age 24.

Torvar Mirsky (AUS) and his Mirsky Racing Team and Adam Minoprio (NZL) and his ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing Team seemed relaxed while waiting in the Sailor’s Lounge of the YC Pointe Rouge. Unlike last year’s constant struggle to get invitations and the uncertainty of not knowing where they were going as late as a week prior to an event, these teams have now committed to compete in all nine World Tour events prior to the World Championship at the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia in December.

“It’s definitely easier for us this year,” said Mirsky, who hails from Perth. “We’re able to focus on training and finding sponsors rather than scrambling to get invitations to events. Last year we sailed in some 20 events both on and off the Tour, whereas this year we may sail at just one other.”

Minoprio agreed, saying his focus will remain on Tour events as well, though the next event for him will be in only two weeks when he and his team will be in Long Beach for the ISAF Grade 1 Congressional Cup.

“We want to do well on the Tour, so we’re also taking every opportunity we can to match race in other events to keep us sharp.”

World Match Racing Tour