Black Sheep Racing leading during the finals. Image copyright Bruno Bouvry/ www.imagesdemer.com
by Reuben Corbett
First up on the schedule this morning were semi finals where both pairs resumed battle after concluding yesterday all tied up at one a piece. Pierre-Antoine Morvan (FRA) beat Alvaro Marinho (POR) 3-1 while we beat our intense rival Eugeniy Neugodnikov (RUS) 3-2 after again losing the first match of the day.
So the final was set, Pierre-Antoine Morvan otherwise known as PAM up against Black Sheep Racing. PAM was actually our training partner prior to the event so we knew each other fairly well come finals time. We managed to nail a couple of starts on the trot and again by racing smartly we held PAM off in each race to take a 2-0 lead. The following race intensified, after a split tack start we bounced tack for tack up the beat which included a penalty each for different offenses. PAM held a narrow lead from mark one to take the gun.
Race four, again there was a split tack start and we continually traded tacks up the beat until PAM put in a big luff on starboard close to the starboard lay line. Three lengths from the mark both boats came to a stand-still before PAM went for the mark. We were hot on his tail and threw everything at him for the remainder of the race but PAMs team did an exceptional job defending. Race five proved to be much the same as we traded tacks and gybes again but each split a little when the opportunity arose to make the most of the odd patch of breeze. PAM took it out 3-2 and won the Manu Minard Grade 1 Regatta. Congratulations to PAM and his team!
Black Sheep while disappointed they didn’t put the nail in the coffin are happy with their progress since embarking on this tour. Next up on the list for BSR is a regatta in Toronto Canada August 7th-8th closely followed by a mini tour of the States.
Black Sheep Racing
Internationaux de France de Match Racing/Trophée Manu Minard
