King Edward VII Gold Cup

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Seven are World Match Racing Tour regulars

Hamilton, Bermuda – After the seventh and last flight of the Round Robin, six of eight teams have qualified today to advance to the Quarter-final round in the King Edward VII Gold Cup presented by Argo Group, with a five-flight Repechage round amongst six teams also determining the final two slots. Among these are two undefeated teams from the UK, reigning World Champion Ian Williams and his Team Pindar along with Olympic Gold Medalist Ben Ainslie and his Team Origin. These two will meet, respectively, Mattias Rahm (SWE) and his Stena Bulk Sailing Team and Tour newcomer Keith Swinton (AUS) of Black Swan Racing when sailing resumes tomorrow morning.

Other teams qualified from the Round Robin include Mathieu Richard and his French Match Racing Team/Team French Spirit, Johnie Berntsson (SWE), Sebastian Col and his French Match Racing Team/K Challenge, and on count back, Adam Minoprio (NZL) Emirates Team New Zealand/BlackMatch Racing Team. Racing today was once again in ideal 6-12 knot conditions in Hamilton harbor.

Despite the top-two qualifying positions of their rivals, Rahm and Swinton may have an initial advantage coming into this first-to-three point series for having had to battle an additional five flights of racing in the Repechage round.

Hamilton, Bermuda: With only one match remaining in the Round Robin, Ben Ainslie’s (GBR) Team Origin, Ian Williams’ (GBR) Team Pindar, and Johnie Berntsson’s (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team are the only three teams of 24 which have definitely qualified for the next Quarter-Final stage at the King Edward VII Gold Cup presented by Argo Group.

The top two teams from each group move on to the Quarter finals and the third and fourth place finishers in each group sail off in a “Repechage” round robin on Thursday afternoon for their second chance to win one of the last two Quarter final slots. Following the Quarter-finals on Friday, winners move into the Semi-Finals on Saturday and the top two go to the Finals on Sunday. There is a $100,000 prize purse with $50,000 going to the winner, $20,000 for second and $10,000 for third. Fourth through eighth divide the remainder.

Among those in contention are the three French teams - Mathieu Richard’s French Match Racing Team/Team French Spirit, Sebastien Col’s French Match Racing Team/K Challenge, and Damien Iehl’s French Match Racing Team – as well as Andrew Horton (USA), Keith Swinton (AUS), and Adam Minoprio (NZL) and his Emirates Team New Zealand/BlackMatch Racing Team. And if they win in their final matches, other contenders in the Repechage include Torvar Mirsky (AUS) and his Mirsky Racing Team, David Perry (USA), and Mattias Rahm (SWE) and his Stena Bulk Sailing Team.

Amongst the leaders, Ainslie’s record remained unblemished at 6-0 despite tough matches against Rahm and Brian Angel (USA). This is Ainslie’s first match racing event since his gold medal winning Olympic campaign, yet he has clearly been on point in Group 1 and sailing in excellent form.

Three-groups, 24-team field complete three flights each in gear-busting conditions - World Tour leaders emerge at the top of the standings

Hamilton, Bermuda: In conditions which featured blustery north breezes approaching 25 knots in strength, the action was fast and furious in Hamilton Harbour for the first day of Round Robin racing at the King Edward VII Gold Cup, presented by Argo Group. With 24 invited teams divided into three group of eight, this event has the largest field of competitors of any on the 2008 World Match Racing Tour, and after three flights of racing in each group the regular Tour team are emerging towards the top of the standings.

Undefeated in his Group 1, Mattias Rahm (SWE) and his Stena Bulk Sailing Team have not appeared in a Tour event since their win at Stage 4, Match Cup Sweden in Marstrand. Rahm attributed his success today to practice sessions he’s had with fellow Swede Johnie Berntsson in the traditional-style International One Designs (IOD’s) which are used in this event and to which they have access back home.

“These boats are very heavy, and turn slowly, so planning your moves is very important,” said Rahm. For his part, Berntsson, competing in Group 3, nearly had the same 3-0 record as Rahm but for one penalty turn performed on the finish line with just a few metres shy of what was needed to defeat local Bermudian Blythe Walker in the last flight of the day.

Current Tour leader Ian Williams (GBR) and his Team Pindar also had an undefeated day, but due to damage sustained on rival Andy Horton’s (USA) boat in Group 2, the pair’s match today was postponed until tomorrow. So besides Berntsson and Williams, no less than six other teams who frequent the Tour - Sebastian Col and his French Match Racing Team/K-Challenge, Bjorn Hansen (SWE) and his Alandia Sailing Team, Adam Minoprio (NZL) and his Emirates Team New Zealnd/BlackMatch Racing Team, Torvar Mirsky (AUS) and his Mirsky Racing Team, and Damien Iehl and his French Match Racing Team – are all on two points after the day’s racing. Other teams on two points include Pierre-Antoine Morvan (FRA) and Keith Swinton (USA), while the remaining teams in the field are either on one point or are looking for their first win.

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