Damien Iehl (FRA) and Reuben Corbett (NZL) at the windward mark. Image copyright Subzero Images.
by Reuben Corbett
FORMAT: This event is rather unique, as there are three pools of eight [Note from SailRaceWin: Actually two of these have just 7 teams this year - as ther is a total of 22 teams, rather than the usual 24, at this event.] with the top two from each pool progressing straight to the quarter finals. Those who finish 3rd or 4th in the pooled rounds form a group of six from where another round robin is completed to determine the last two quarter final spots. Over the next two days the pooled rounds should be completed. The groups and team scores are below.
GROUP 1 win/loss
Mathieu Richard (FRA) 1-2
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) 2-1
Jesper Radich (DEN) 2-1
Phil Robertson (NZL) 2-1
Taylor Canfield (ISV) 2-1
Terry McLaughlin (CAN) 1-2
Mike Buckley (USA) 1-2
Lucy McGregor (GBR) 1-2
GROUP 2 win/loss
Adam Minoprio (NZL) 2-0
Ben Ainslie (GBR) 1-1
Damien Iehl (FRA) 1-1
Eric Monnin (SWI) 2-1
Black Sheep Racing (NZL) 3-0
Jacob Pawluk (POL) 0-3
Lance Fraser (BER) 0-3
GROUP 3 win/loss
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) 2-0
Ian Williams (GBR) 2-0
Johnnie Berntsson (SWE) 2-0
Alvaro Marinho (POR) 3-0
Dave Perry (USA) 0-3
Anna Tunneicliffe (USA) 0-3
Blythe Walker (BER) 0-3
We had three races today including Eric Monnin, Damien Ihel and Ben Ainslie. Eric Monnin was given a penalty as he did not enter properly so we kept it close throughout race. Eric had a go at us two hundred metres before the finish but we waited patiently until the opportunity arose to roll for the finish.
The race with Damien Iehl was neck and neck with passing on both runs. Fortunately for us we rolled him on the last run metres before the finish.
Ben Ainslie came out firing in the prestart and went for the kill with 40sec left on the clock, we squeaked by to then dominate the start. Ben did a great job of keeping it close throughout the race, but we defended to take the gun by about half a boat length. The team is looking forward to getting back into it tomorrow.
The team would like to thank the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, friends and families for your support. Thank you!
Black Sheep Racing is Tom Bentham, Nicolas Derberque, Brad Farrand and Reuben Corbett.
TV Coverage of the 2010 Argo Gold Cup
Eurosport Asia Pacific will be broadcasting a highlights programme on the 11 November at 04.30 and on the 17 November at 13.45.
Sky Sports UK will be screening the programme at 18.00 on the 16 November and repeated on the 17 November at midday.
The Argo Group Gold Cup highlights show will be broadcast to channels including CNBC, Eurosport, Setanta Africa, Showtime, Sky NZ, Sky Sports, Yacht and Sail International, Sevenload as well as America One, ESPN Star Sports, Sportsmax, Eurosport Asia Pacific, PCTV Mexico, Untamed Sports, Klarner Medien, G-TV Denmark, Band Sports Brazil, Teleclub Switzerland, The Outdoor Sports Channel, Melita Cable and Sport Klub.
Black Sheep Racing
Argo Group Gold Cup
World Match Racing Tour
