Seb Col to Compete in the Omega Auckland Match Racing Regatta

by Stéphanie Nadin

Some of the world's top international match race teams are set to descend on Auckland for the Omega Auckland Match Racing Regatta from March 2 to 6. A mix of America's Cup experience plus rising young talent will do battle in the invitational regatta on the Waitemata Harbour.

The regatta kicks off the Auckland Festival of Sailing, which will see a crowded calendar of thrilling yacht racing through most of March.

The Omega Auckland Match Racing Regatta will be run by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and will take place off the Westhaven breakwater, where spectators will be able to watch the action.

Skippers who have accepted invitations to compete are: Dean Barker (NZL - Emirates Team New Zealand); Ben Ainslie (GBR - Team Origin); Francesco Bruni (ITA - Azzurra Sailing Team); Sebastien Col (FRA-GER - ALL4ONE); Karol Jablonski (POL - former Desafio Espanol); Magnus Holmberg (SWE - former Victory Challenge); Chris Dickson (NZL - former BMW ORACLE Racing); Bertrand Pacé (FRA - former BMW ORACLE Racing); Adam Minoprio (NZL - BlackMatch Racing); Torvar Mirsky (AUS - Mirsky Racing Team).

Racing will take place in identical Farr-designed MRX yachts and will comprise a double round robin, semi-final and final. Weather permitting, the semi-finals and finals will be decided by the first skipper to win three matches.

Seb Col: "it is very good to do this event before the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland, as you face more different tactical situations in small boats racing. For the afterguard, and especially for the decision making process, it will be particularly interesting for me and John Cutler to do this event in small boats with some of our key team members."

Sebastien will sail with ALL4ONE crew members John Cutler (tactician), Gilles Favennec (pit), Christian Scherrer (jib trimmer), Jean-Marie Dauris (bow) and Philippe Mourniac (mainsail trimmer for the match race event).

The Auckland Festival of Sailing comprises a series of on and off the water events. The Omega Auckland Match Racing Regatta is followed by the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland (where five of the skippers from the Omega regatta will also compete) and by the BMW Sailing World Cup Final. Also part of the festival is the Auckland International Boat Show.

Sébastien Col
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron