Black Swan Racing at the 2009 Sunseeker Australia Cup. Supplied image.
by Black Swan Racing media
After taking down current World Match Racing Champion Ian Williams in the quarters we progressed to the semi-final stage of the regatta. In the semi finals we were pitted against world number 2 and local rival Torvar Mirksy (Mirsky Racing Team). We began racing as the sea breeze settled making for some challenging conditions.
In the first race of our best of five race series we managed to get an even start as we tacked off to the favoured right side. MRT did a good job staying with us and we made the mistake of tacking away from the right to early, loosing the favoured side advantage. From here despite closing the gap we were unable to overtake. In Race 2 we didn't start well however we initiated a tacking duel up the first leg and slowly reduced MRT's lead. By the top mark we took the advantage, the race remained very close throughout but we managed to hold the lead and square up the series. We couldn't repeat our come back in the third race giving MRT a 2-1 advantage.
With conditions under the Narrows Bridge in Perth water now perfect we moved down from Matlida Bay. We needed to win the 4th race to take it to the decider. This time we won the start and lead up the first work. Conditions at the top of the course we very difficult we chose to protect the right side. As we tacked toward the top mark the wind went light and MRT closed up the gap. We were left venerable as MRT came in with speed and took the inside rounding at the mark, there was contact between the boats leaving us behind and with a penalty from here we couldn't get back.
Ben Ainslie (Team Origin) won the other semi leaving us to race current world number 1 Adam Minoprio (Black Match Racing) for third position it was decided that the petite final would be just the single race. This race turned out to be a real classic fight as we lead off the line but with a penalty. We managed to hold the lead for the first lap and extend enough to take our penalty turn and come out ahead. From here was fought hard and managed to hold off the world number 1 to finish the regatta with a win. The team is thrilled with the result against an incredible field a great way to finish 2009.
Final Standings Australia Cup 09
1 Mirsky Racing Team, Torvar Mirsky (AUS)
2 Team Origin, Ben Ainslie (GBR)
3 Black Swan Racing, Keith Swinton (AUS)
4 Black Match, Adam Minoprio (NZL)
5 Team Pindar, Ian Williams (GBR)
6 Waka Racing, Phil Robertson (NZL)
7 Azzura, Francesco Bruni (ITA)
8 French Match Racing Team, Mathieu Richard (FRA)
9 Seve Jarvin (AUS)
10 Evan Walker (AUS)
Black Swan Racing would like to thank our supporters:
South of Perth Yacht Club
Brian Kerman from Kerman Contracting
Brad Abbott from Abbotts PTY LTD Chartered Accountants
Musto Australia and Scott Olney from Musto Western Australia/Liquid Leisure Agencies
Philip Ericson from Trendmark Sweden Agent for Musto
The Ron Tough Yachting Foundation
Black Swan Racing
Sunseeker Australia Cup
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