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Bermudian joins Baird, Hansen and Richard in Semifinal Round
Hamilton, Bermuda (Oct. 12, 2007) — Bermudian Blythe Walker kept alive the hope of a Royal Bermuda Yacht Club member winning the $100,000 King Edward VII Gold Cup when he won a five-set quarterfinal match against Brian Angel of the U.S.
Walker, who finished third last year, trailed Angel 2-0 before running off three straight for a 3-2 victory.
"We wanted to provide max spectator value," said Walker. And he did, crossing the finish line in the last race to a cacophony of horns, whistles and screams on a rainy day in Hamilton, Bermuda.
Walker advanced to tomorrow's Semifinal Round where he'll square-off against Björn Hansen of Sweden. Hansen continued his incredible run from yesterday's near elimination.
Hansen won the Repechage Round with a 5-0 record and then claimed a 3-1 victory over fellow Swede Johnie Berntsson in the quarterfinals. After starting 2-2, Hansen has won 10 of 11 races and stands a formidable challenge for Walker.
"He's one of the more aggressive match racers," said Walker.
In the bottom half of the ladder America's Cup winner Ed Baird of the U.S. will meet Frenchman Mathieu Richard. In the quarters Baird defeated Italy's Paolo Cian 3-0, the same score which Richard, last year's runner-up, defeated Bermudian Glenn Astwood.
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