MRT in the Lead after Day One of the Monsoon Cup

MRT hike out on Day One of the Monsoon Cup. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/SubZero Images.

by Kinley Fowler

The final event on the World Match Racing Tour, the Monsoon Cup will host some of the worlds best sailors over the next week, as six potential teams battle for the title of World Match Racing Champion.

Leading the scoreboard after the first day is four teams, all of which are in the running for the overall tour victory. Mirsky Racing Team, Blackmatch ETNZ, Yanmar Racing and Team Origin all sit with 3 wins and 1 loss at the commencement of racing today.

Most races today saw the team who won the start, hold their lead and generally finish ahead. "It's a pretty one way track placing a lot of emphasis on the start" said Blackmatch bowman Nick Blackman who managed to edge a win over Team Origin in the last race of the day.

MRT had a successful day as they defeated Azzura, All4One and current World Champions Team Pindar.

Team French Spirit helmed by Matthieu Richard but up a good fight against MRT as they started slightly advantaged and won the right hand side of the course. Showing why he is ranked number 3 in the world, Richard didnt let up as he defended his lead around the course to finish ahead of MRT and hand them their first loss of the regatta.

"It was a solid start to the regatta today, to share the leaderboard overnight with the other tour contenders is important for us. The win in the Aus Cup has given us some confidence and we are happy with how our teamwork is developing so far, we still need to take it one race at a time though as each race is very important" commented MRT helmsman Torvar Mirsky.

3rd December morning the round robin stage will continue and with so much at stake, there is sure to be some fireworks.

Adam Minoprio (NZL) ENTZ/Black Match Racing 3-1
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing 3-1
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 3-1
Ben Ainslie (GBR) Team Origin 3-1
Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 3-2
Sebastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/ALL4ONE 2-1
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 2-2
Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge 2-2
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Team Azzura 1-3
Phil Robertson (NZL) Team New Zealand WAKA Racing 1-3
Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar 1-3
Hazwan Hazim Dermanwan (MAS) Tarian Pelangi TESA 0-4

Mirsky Racing Team
World Match Racing Tour