Adam Minoprio looks back to see he has been penalised in his quarter final match against Paolo Cian. Korea Match Cup 2009, Gyeonggi-do, Korea 2009. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.
by Yvonne Reid
Adam Minoprio’s ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing regained the lead of the World Match Racing Tour Championship following his 5th place finish at the Korea Match Cup. After a stunning Round Robin performance, Minoprio’s run was ended by eventual event winner Paolo Cian who has now leapt up the leaderboard to 6th place. Cian’s late charge in Korea, taking 8 wins from 9 starts, brought him the top prize of 70 million Korean Won.
For the second year in a row Ian Williams’ Bahrain Team Pindar took second place in Korea after a long wait for the wind to fill in and a shortened, first to 2 points, final competition. Williams took a much needed 20 points away with him and now lies in 4th place on the Tour with a total of 34 points.
Following victory at Match Race Germany, Ben Ainslie and Team Origin had high hopes in Korea and the plan was coming together until they met Paolo Cian in the semi-finals where Ainslie was dispatched to the Petit Final 3-0. Ainslie beat Bjorn Hansen 2-1 securing 3rd place and 15 Championship points to add to the 25 from Germany, taking him up to second place on the Tour and within a point of the lead.
Still hanging in there in 3rd place with 36 points on the Tour despite a disappointing Korea Match Cup is the French Match Racing Team of Mathieu Richard. As joint leader following Germany, Mathieu was looking to cement his lead but a few tough breaks dashed his hopes of holding on to the top spot.
Also grabbing points in Korea were the Perth pair of Peter Gilmour and Torvar Mirsky who now fill out the Tour top 8 in 7th and 8th respectively. For Gilmour a third place performance in Germany and 6th in Korea have lifted the YANMAR Racing team above the chasing pack and put them in a solid position to attack the championship in the next few events. Mirsky must also be looking forward to the next few events and the chance to pull back some points on his Tour leading rival Adam Minoprio.
The Tour now moves on to Troia for the Portugal Match Cup 16–21 June raced in SM40’s off the beach in the newly developed resort at the top of the Troia peninsular. Last years winner, Seb Col, will be looking to regain some of last years form that saw him finish runner up in the Tour but has so far this year eluded him.
Tour Standings
(After 3 of 10 events)
1. Adam Minoprio (NZL), ETNZ/BlackMatch 41points
2. Ben Ainslie, (GBR), Team Origin 40 points
3. Mathieu Richard (FRA), French Team 35 points
4. Ian Williams (GBR), Bahrain Team Pindar 34 points
5. Damien Iehl (FRA), French Team 32 points
6. Paolo Cian (ITA), Shosholoza 32 points
7. Peter Gilmour (AUS), YANMAR Racing 23 points
8. Torvar Mirsky (AUS), Mirsky Racing Team 21 points
World Match Racing Tour
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