Match Race Germany 2008 from the air. Image copyright Richard Walch/World Match Racing Tour.
by Yvonne Reid
The picturesque town of Langenargen on the shores of Lake Constance will be flooded with sailors and spectators this week as Match Race Germany opens its doors.
As well as hosting the German leg of the World Match Racing Tour a week long festival has been planned. Live bands will take to the stage and food and entertainment will be on offer. Children will also have the opportunity to get out on the water in Optimist dinghies.
Amongst the competitors lined up for the Tour event are reigning World Champion Ian Williams (GBR) and Bahrain Team Pindar, number 1 ranked ISAF sailor Seb Col (FRA) with the French Team/K-Challenge, current Tour leader Adam Minoprio (NZL) of ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing and four time Match Racing World Champion Peter Gilmour (AUS) backed up by Yanmar Racing. The list of talent doesn’t stop there with Triple Olympic Gold Ben Ainslie and Team Origin starting their assault on the World Championship. Defending Match Race Germany Champion Damien Ihel with his French Match Racing Team is also back to try and retain his crown, a pretty tall order some might think.
Racing will take place a stones throw from the shoreline in Langenargen which is sure to see its share of visitors keen to watch the action and listen to the lively commentary throughout the day. The boat of choice is the Bavaria Match 35.
Match Race Germany is the second stop on the 2009 Tour and has $50,000 in prize money on offer. The next six weeks will see four Tour events tightly packed and by the end of the first week of July half the Tour will be completed. Teams will need to stay focused and fight for every World Championship point.
The full line up is:
SebastienCol, FRA, French Team/K-Challenge
Mathieu Richard, FRA, French Team
Ian Williams, GBR, Bahrain Team PIndar
Ben Ainslie, GBR, Team Origin
Adam Minoprio, ETNZ/BlackMatch
Torvar Mirsky, AUS, Mirsky Racing Team
Eric Monnin, SUI, Team Search.Ch
Francesco Bruni, ITA, Joe Fly Match Racing Team
Damien Iehl, FRA, French Match Racing Team
Peter Gilmour, AUS, Yanmar Racing
Carsten Kemmling, GER
Bjorn Hansen, SWE, Team Onboard
Tour Standings
(After 1 0f 10 events)
1. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 25 points
2. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 20 points
3. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 15 points
4. Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 12 points
5. Ed Baird (USA) Alinghi 10 points
6. Sebastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team 8 points
7. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Shosholoza 6 points
8. Ian Williams (GBR) Bahrain Team Pindar 4 points
Match Race Germany
World Match Racing Tour
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