WMRT: Semi final match point for BlackMatch against Mirsky Racing Team in Match Race Germany

"Blacky spotting girls in Germany" (BlackMatch Racing caption) - actually Nick Blackman spotting the wind for Adam Minoprio at Match Race Germany. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

by David Swete

Another stunning day here in Germany dished up some extremely testing sailing conditions, but we were lucky enough to get on the right end of some of the shifts to defeat Magnus Holmberg 3-1 in the quarterfinals and be 2-1 up on Australian Torvar Mirsky in the semis.

Perhaps setting the scene for the day, all three of our wins against Magnus Holmberg were come from behind victories. In these light conditions it almost seems an advantage to trail at the first top mark and in our first match against Magnus and his Waka Racing crew, we held the lead at the top mark only to relinquish it downwind as he rolled over us on the first run. Fortunately for us we had forced a penalty on him in the prestart and he was unable to gain a big enough advantage to complete his penalty turn, so we slipped past on the finish line to take first blood.


Adam Minoprio (NZL) of BlackMatch Racing appeals for a penalty against Torvar Mirsky (AUS). Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

Our matches against Torvar Mirsky were equally as fickle and although we won the first match convincingly, after shutting the Australian team out at the committee boat while forcing two penalties on him, our other win came when we overtook on the first downwind leg.

Unfortunately for us while 2 nil up and on match point, we were unable to secure the third win needed to progress through to the final, as Torvar took the last match of the day in convincing style. The remaining semi final matches will commence in the morning and we are really hoping to secure the win needed in our first match of the day, scheduled to kick off at 9am local time.

In the other semi final Jesper Radich is also up 2-1 over the top qualifying Mathieu Richard.

BlackMatch would like to again thank their sponsors FedEx Express and Events Clothing/Line 7 New Zealand. We would also like to thank our new sponsor Steinlager Pure and Emirates Team New Zealand, as without their support we would not have this opportunity.


Tom Powrie catches the BlackMatch frisbee whilst waiting for breeze at Match Race Germany. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

SEMI FINAL
SF Match 1
M1 Jesper Radich vs Mathieu Richard
M2 Mathieu Richard vs Jesper Radich
M3 Jesper Radich vs Mathieu Richard
M4 Mathieu Richard vs Jesper Radich
M5 Mathieu Richard vs Jesper Radich

SF Match 2
M1 Torvar Mirsky vs Adam Minoprio
M2 Adam Minoprio vs Torvar Mirsky
M3 Torvar Mirsky vs Adam Minoprio
M4 Adam Minoprio vs Torvar Mirsky
M5 Adam Minoprio vs Torvar Mirsky

QUARTER FINAL
QF Match 1
Winners in bold
M1 Magnus Holmberg vs Adam Minoprio
M2 Adam Minoprio vs Magnus Holmberg
M3 Magnus Holmberg vs Adam Minoprio
M4 Adam Minoprio vs Magnus Holmberg
Adam Minoprio through to Semi Finals

QF Match 2
Winners in bold
M1 Jesper Radich vs Ian Williams
M2 Ian Williams vs Jesper Radich
M3 Jesper Radich vs Ian Williams
M4 Ian Williams vs Jesper Radich
M5 Jesper Radich vs Ian Williams
Jesper Radich through to Semi Final

QF Match 3
Winners in bold
M1 Torvar Mirsky vs Peter Gilmour
M2 Peter Gilmour vs Torvar Mirsky
M3 Torvar Mirsky vs Peter Gilmour
M4 Peter Gilmour vs Torvar Mirsky
M5 Torvar Mirsky vs Peter Gilmour
Torvar Mirsky through to Semi Finals

BlackMatch Racing
Match Race Germany
World Match Racing Tour