Waka Racing finish 3rd at Match Race Germany 2011. Image copyright Felix Kästle / MRG.
by Waka Racing media
After four days of tight, tricky, and mainly light conditions at Match Race Germany, Waka Racing has claimed its best ever World Match Race Tour result with a 3rd place. In the process building a lot of confidence moving forward towards Korea Match Cup which starts in just over a weeks time.
The final day was however a frustrating one for the team. Going into the day with the score line of 1-1 in our Semi-Final against Bruni (Italy) the team were confident it could go all the way. Again after a long wait the racing finally got underway in very light and difficult conditions.
A misjudgement in time on distance and poor communication resulted in us handing Bruni a great start in race 1, with him easily leading us off the line and with us coping a penalty after clipping his stern. We did not give up though and by the last top mark we had clawed back to him and passed just after the hoist. We tried very hard to wipe off our penalty on him but it was very hard in the light conditions and he did well to keep clean all the way to the finish. Score 2-1.
This meant it was do or die for us and we came out firing. Phil nailed the start after the crew kept the boat smooth and fast all prestart. Bruni coped a penalty after we managed to not let him enter at the start and also managed to make him late. From here on the we connected with every shift to easily win the race. Score 2-2.
Now the wind crumped and with the event cut off time beginning to become an issue as the finals hadn’t started the Race Committee decided to scrap the Semi-Finals at its current stage. This did not affect the other pairing as their scoreline was 3-0 however this did not work out well for us. As Bruni was top qualifier this meant he would go through on countback. We were pretty disappointed with the decision not suprisingly, as we felt we were beginning to get under Brunis skin. However the team has experienced these decisions before when they have gone in our favour and the moto has always been that these things happen and you have take it on the chin.
This left us in the unenviable position of having to race Evgeny Neugodnikov for 3rd place in a best of one, winner takes all race. Luckily we were still on fire and nailed the prestart pushing him over the line early. We then continued to extend throughout the race to win by more than a leg.
So all and all still a great result for the team and plenty of positives to take forward to our next event, which starts on the 7th of June in Korea.
Thanks for all the support,
The Waka Racing Boys!
Waka Racing would like to thank all our sponsors and supporters. Tax Management New Zealand, KZ Race Furlers, Line 7/Events clothing, Frontend Design and the RNZYS.
WAKA RACING is Phil Robertson, Garth Ellingham, James Williamson, Sam Bell and Hayden Goodrick.
Waka Racing
Match Race Germany
