WMRT: MRT Undefeated at Gold Cup

Mirsky Racing Team defeat Eric Monnin. Image copyright Talbot Wilson.

by Kinley Fowler

The 102nd Bermuda Gold Cup got underway today in Hamilton Bermuda, Mirsky Racing Team tops the group one leader board securing 4 wins from 4 races in tricky conditions.

Bermuda brought a light breeze in the morning which allowed group one to complete their scheduled 4 races, group two then managed only to get one race underway before the wind shut down and no more racing could be completed.

"This event is known to be a tough event, 24 teams means that 3 groups of 8 compete in a round robin where the top two placings will then proceed to the quarterfinal stage. There is often a few upsets with the lower seeded teams proving themselves here" said MRT trimmer Kinley Fowler who will be coaching the team this week after sustaining a shoulder injury.

Coming off the starting line well meant MRT could sail comfortably in two races, but against Switzerlands Eric Monnin and Britains Robbie Allam made a few lead changes kept the racing tight and exciting, with MRT the ultimate winners.

"We had to stay patient out there today, when we were behind we slowly worked our way back into the races and waited for our time to strike. It was a good way to start the event but with other teams on 3 wins its still very tight" said Torvar whilst watching group two on the water waiting for wind.

Group two and three still need to complete their remaining stage one races before MRT can hit the water to fight for a place in the quarter finals.

With strong winds forecast tomorrow promises to bring some exciting racing to the waters of Bermuda.


Graeme Spence, bowman on Mirsky Racing Team, gets up close and personal with Eric Monnin's Search.ch team. Image copyright Charles Anderson/Bermuda Gold Cup.

Results:

Group One
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 4-0
Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar 3-1
Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 2-2
Keith Swinton (AUS) Black Swan Racing 2-2
Eric Monnin (SUI) Search.ch 3-1
Reuben Corbett (NZL) 1-3
Robbie Allam (GBR) 1-3
Ian Evans (USA) 0-4

Group Two
Adam Minoprio (NZL) Emirates Team New Zealand/BlackMatch Racing 1-0
Sebastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/K Challenge 1-0
Ben Ainslie (GBR) Team Origin 1-0
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Alandia Sailing Team 1-0
Alvaro Marinho (POR) Seth Sailing Team 0-1
David Perry (USA) 0-1
Rasmus Viltoft (DEN) 0-1
Paula Lewin Crews (BDA) 0-1

Group Three
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team
Mattias Rahm (SWE) Stena Bulk Sailing Team
Phil Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing Team
Blythe Walker (BDA)
Donald Wilson (USA)
Charlie Enright (USA)

Mirsky Racing Team
World Match Racing Tour