[Source: World Match Racing Tour] Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team won the ‘King of the Mountain’ title today in spectacular style, taking a huge stride towards his quest to become the 2010 ISAF Match Racing World Champion.

Having toyed with the teams all week at the St. Moritz Match Race, it was on the final day that the Maloja wind truly kicked in, bringing with it a supreme display of match racing for which the ISAF World Match Racing Tour is renowned. Richard, despite not always being on top of his game throughout the week, knuckled down when it mattered most, grinding out a series of hard-fought victories against his nearest rivals today.

When the two British skippers, triple Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN and double ISAF Match Racing World Champion Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar won their first semi-final matches, the prospects looked good for an all-British final. However, Richard had no intention of playing second fiddle and led Ainslie all the way round the course in their next race to level the score.

Highlights from the closing day of the St. Moritz Match Race. St. Moritz, 5 September 2010. Video copyright WMRT

It was standing room only in the packed grandstands and with everything hanging on the final race of both semi-final matches, the crowds of spectators were in for a treat. A dogfight before each of the starts characterized the races. With a penalty to his name in his deciding semi-final battle against Ainslie, it appeared Richard’s only option as they approached the final mark was a brutal one – to pin a penalty on Ainslie. Fortunately for Richard, his Blu26 found a gust, giving him enough time to complete his penalty turn and dispense with the Brit.

Meanwhile, in the Williams vs Minoprio bout Williams took the first match, but Minoprio responded in the second with a move at the windward mark, where Williams collected two penalties in rapid succession, allowing Minoprio to take a decisive victory. Williams though regained his composure for the final race of his dual with the New Zealander, with just enough control over Minoprio to maintain a slim lead to the finish and a place in the final.

The scene was set for a fitting British-French finale, with the title going to the first team to win two races. This was sailing’s version of ‘Le Crunch’. At times, both played underdog, exchanging glances and penalties. It was one all after two races and in the deciding race, it seemed only right that the wind, so unpredictable and challenging all week, should have the final say. Richard, playing a string of gusts and shifts to perfection, pulling five lengths clear, a lead he maintained to take the ‘King of the Mountain’ crown and CHF36,000 in prize money.

Mathieu Ricahrd is the brand new “King of the Mountain”. St. Moritz, 5 September 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / WMRT

Richard, reflected: “I wasn’t happy after losing the first race against Ian in the finals. I was too excited, made mistakes and didn’t have a positive feeling. So, we picked ourselves up, changed our mood and took the match to them. We go to Denmark with a healthy lead however we know there is still all to play for. For now though, we’re overjoyed.”

As the Tour heads to the island of Bornholm, Denmark, next week, it is possible that the next few weeks will determine not just the outcome of this year’s World Match Racing Tour but also shape the future of match racing with the America’s Cup announcements that have been a hot topic all week in St. Moritz. Whatever the outcome, Richard and his rivals will remain focused on their endeavours to take the World Match Racing Tour title.

Overall Standings the 2010 St. Moritz Match Race:
Skipper/Teams Points
1 Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 25
2 Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 20
3 Adam Minoprio (NZL) BlackMatch Racing 15
4 Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 12
5 Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team 10
6 Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team 8
7 Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 6
8 Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 4
9 Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
10 Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Race Team
11 Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team
12 Jerome Clerc (SUI) Team CER Geneve

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team won the ‘King of the Mountain’ title today in spectacular style, taking a huge stride towards his quest to become the 2010 ISAF Match Racing World Champion.

Having toyed with the teams all week at the St. Moritz Match Race, it was on the final day that the Maloja wind truly kicked in, bringing with it a supreme display of match racing for which the ISAF World Match Racing Tour is renowned. Richard, despite not always being on top of his game throughout the week, knuckled down when it mattered most, grinding out a series of hard-fought victories against his nearest rivals today.

When the two British skippers, triple Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN and double ISAF Match Racing World Champion Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar won their first semi-final matches, the prospects looked good for an all-British final. However, Richard had no intention of playing second fiddle and led Ainslie all the way round the course in their next race to level the score.

Highlights from the closing day of the St. Moritz Match Race. St. Moritz, 5 September 2010. Video copyright WMRT

It was standing room only in the packed grandstands and with everything hanging on the final race of both semi-final matches, the crowds of spectators were in for a treat. A dogfight before each of the starts characterized the races. With a penalty to his name in his deciding semi-final battle against Ainslie, it appeared Richard’s only option as they approached the final mark was a brutal one – to pin a penalty on Ainslie. Fortunately for Richard, his Blu26 found a gust, giving him enough time to complete his penalty turn and dispense with the Brit.

Meanwhile, in the Williams vs Minoprio bout Williams took the first match, but Minoprio responded in the second with a move at the windward mark, where Williams collected two penalties in rapid succession, allowing Minoprio to take a decisive victory. Williams though regained his composure for the final race of his dual with the New Zealander, with just enough control over Minoprio to maintain a slim lead to the finish and a place in the final.

The scene was set for a fitting British-French finale, with the title going to the first team to win two races. This was sailing’s version of ‘Le Crunch’. At times, both played underdog, exchanging glances and penalties. It was one all after two races and in the deciding race, it seemed only right that the wind, so unpredictable and challenging all week, should have the final say. Richard, playing a string of gusts and shifts to perfection, pulling five lengths clear, a lead he maintained to take the ‘King of the Mountain’ crown and CHF36,000 in prize money.

Mathieu Ricahrd is the brand new “King of the Mountain”. St. Moritz, 5 September 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / WMRT

Richard, reflected: “I wasn’t happy after losing the first race against Ian in the finals. I was too excited, made mistakes and didn’t have a positive feeling. So, we picked ourselves up, changed our mood and took the match to them. We go to Denmark with a healthy lead however we know there is still all to play for. For now though, we’re overjoyed.”

As the Tour heads to the island of Bornholm, Denmark, next week, it is possible that the next few weeks will determine not just the outcome of this year’s World Match Racing Tour but also shape the future of match racing with the America’s Cup announcements that have been a hot topic all week in St. Moritz. Whatever the outcome, Richard and his rivals will remain focused on their endeavours to take the World Match Racing Tour title.

Overall Standings the 2010 St. Moritz Match Race:
Skipper/Teams Points
1 Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 25
2 Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 20
3 Adam Minoprio (NZL) BlackMatch Racing 15
4 Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 12
5 Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team 10
6 Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team 8
7 Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 6
8 Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 4
9 Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
10 Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Race Team
11 Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team
12 Jerome Clerc (SUI) Team CER Geneve

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] The race village at the Segel-Club St. Moritz was buzzing today, with 12 world-class sailing teams making their final preparations for a week of fierce head-to-head competition in the St. Moritz Match Race, the sixth stage of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour Championship.

After a light dusting of snow on the hills above the lake overnight, St. Moritz sparkled in the morning sun. However, the unseasonably cold weather meant the trademark Maloja wind was absent today, leaving sailors to contend with an erratic and chilling northerly breeze. This was light and fitful at the start of the competitors’ registration and weigh-in session, but built to a useful 10-15 knots for the first practice session.

With the Maloja not expected to be fully active for a few days, the challenge of making the most of the shifty winds is uppermost in the minds of many skippers.

Mathieu Richard, current WMRT leader, trains under cold and tricky conditions for the St Moritz Match Race 2010. St Moritz, 31 August 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman/Subzero Images

Johnie Berntsson (SWE), Berntsson Sailing Team, commented: “This is the second time for us here – it’s a stunning venue and we’re looking forward to it. The shifty winds make it a very challenging place for us, but we are used to that from our home waters near Gothenburg.”

One skipper who is not so worried about the tricky conditions, however, is Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Racing Team. Switzerland’s best match race helmsman, Monnin is currently ranked 26th in the world and has competed at every St. Moritz Match Race. He stepped ashore after today’s practice session relaxed and smiling, saying:

“We like sailing at our home event. We know the boats and we know we can do well in the shifty conditions – it’s what we’re used to. We do as many of the WMRT events as we can – it’s always great to sail against these people.

“The standard of racing is increasing over time, with dedicated teams having a chance of winning against the America’s Cup sailors. There were coaches on many of the boats today – you didn’t see that here five years ago.”

Ben Ainslie trains under cold and tricky conditions for the St Moritz Match Race 2010. St Moritz, 31 August 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman/Subzero Images

The WMRT is well established as a pathway to stardom for sailors. Jérôme Clerc (SUI) Team CER Genève is an up and coming Swiss sailor, with the distinction of being the second amateur team in this year’s Tour de France a la Voile. The St Moritz Match Race will be Clerc’s first ISAF Grade WC event, having been awarded a wildcard entry after finishing second in the Qualifier Event 2010 Volvo Match Race, Zug.

Clerc added: “This is a very big challenge for us – we’ve been match racing during the winter for training, but this is our first time with the Tour. It’s a great pleasure to be able to race against the big sailing stars we’ve seen on TV. Match racing is perfect for improving our manoeuvres and crew communication – the courses are very short, so you must be very precise.”

Tomorrow morning will see Clerc pitched straight into one-on-one battles with three of the biggest names in the sailing world, starting with double ISAF World Match Racing Champion Ian Williams (GBR), Team GAC Pindar. In his next race the young Swiss sailor will face Mathieu Richard (FRA), French Match Racing Team, who’s currently at the top of the Tour rankings. Clerc will then go head-to-head against triple Olympic gold medallist and America’s Cup skipper Ben Ainslie (GBR), TEAMORIGIN.

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] The race village at the Segel-Club St. Moritz was buzzing today, with 12 world-class sailing teams making their final preparations for a week of fierce head-to-head competition in the St. Moritz Match Race, the sixth stage of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour Championship.

After a light dusting of snow on the hills above the lake overnight, St. Moritz sparkled in the morning sun. However, the unseasonably cold weather meant the trademark Maloja wind was absent today, leaving sailors to contend with an erratic and chilling northerly breeze. This was light and fitful at the start of the competitors’ registration and weigh-in session, but built to a useful 10-15 knots for the first practice session.

With the Maloja not expected to be fully active for a few days, the challenge of making the most of the shifty winds is uppermost in the minds of many skippers.

Mathieu Richard, current WMRT leader, trains under cold and tricky conditions for the St Moritz Match Race 2010. St Moritz, 31 August 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman/Subzero Images

Johnie Berntsson (SWE), Berntsson Sailing Team, commented: “This is the second time for us here – it’s a stunning venue and we’re looking forward to it. The shifty winds make it a very challenging place for us, but we are used to that from our home waters near Gothenburg.”

One skipper who is not so worried about the tricky conditions, however, is Eric Monnin (SUI) Swiss Match Racing Team. Switzerland’s best match race helmsman, Monnin is currently ranked 26th in the world and has competed at every St. Moritz Match Race. He stepped ashore after today’s practice session relaxed and smiling, saying:

“We like sailing at our home event. We know the boats and we know we can do well in the shifty conditions – it’s what we’re used to. We do as many of the WMRT events as we can – it’s always great to sail against these people.

“The standard of racing is increasing over time, with dedicated teams having a chance of winning against the America’s Cup sailors. There were coaches on many of the boats today – you didn’t see that here five years ago.”

Ben Ainslie trains under cold and tricky conditions for the St Moritz Match Race 2010. St Moritz, 31 August 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman/Subzero Images

The WMRT is well established as a pathway to stardom for sailors. Jérôme Clerc (SUI) Team CER Genève is an up and coming Swiss sailor, with the distinction of being the second amateur team in this year’s Tour de France a la Voile. The St Moritz Match Race will be Clerc’s first ISAF Grade WC event, having been awarded a wildcard entry after finishing second in the Qualifier Event 2010 Volvo Match Race, Zug.

Clerc added: “This is a very big challenge for us – we’ve been match racing during the winter for training, but this is our first time with the Tour. It’s a great pleasure to be able to race against the big sailing stars we’ve seen on TV. Match racing is perfect for improving our manoeuvres and crew communication – the courses are very short, so you must be very precise.”

Tomorrow morning will see Clerc pitched straight into one-on-one battles with three of the biggest names in the sailing world, starting with double ISAF World Match Racing Champion Ian Williams (GBR), Team GAC Pindar. In his next race the young Swiss sailor will face Mathieu Richard (FRA), French Match Racing Team, who’s currently at the top of the Tour rankings. Clerc will then go head-to-head against triple Olympic gold medallist and America’s Cup skipper Ben Ainslie (GBR), TEAMORIGIN.

Going from strength to strength Mathieu Richard, the current leader of the ISAF World Match Racing Championship, prevailed over Britain’s Ian Williams 3-1 and claimed the 2010 Korea Match Cup. “Third time lucky” didn’t apply to Williams today as he found an opponent that mastered the light and shifty conditions off Jeongok Marina, and in particular the timing of the starts.

Mathieu Richard has now extended his lead in the World Match Racing Tour standings with 65 points, followed by Adam Minoprio on 39 points and Ian Williams on 30 points.

In the petit final, Sweden’s Bjorn Hansen had no problem taking on Torvar Mirsky 2-0 and grabbing third place overall in the 2010 Korea Match Cup.

Race 1: It was a painstakingly slow race with a breeze that probably never passed the 4-knot barrier. First blood went to Ian Williams but it wasn’t without pain. He got off the starting line with a clearly faster pace a couple of boatlengths ahead of Richard but the French found that slight puff on the right during the first beat and rounded the top mark ahead. Yet, the very light breeze played out in favor of Williams who regained the lead in the first run and held it until the finish line.

Mathieu Richard, the 2010 Korea Match Cup winner. Jeogonk Marina, 13 June 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Race 2: Mathieu Richard started the second race on a better foot as he managed to force a penalty on Williams just 30 seconds after the entry for a port-starboard incident. In addition, the French hit the starting line on much better pace, ahead of Williams that stayed very close, yet unable to close the gap with the French, let alone force a penalty on him or offload his and get ahead.

Race 3: Richard went from strength to strength and took the third race. Although the prestart was absolutely eventless, Richard had his timing on the spot while Williams gybed and stalled half a minute before the start in order to avoid being early. Richard was ahead by a boatlength on the pin end of the starting line and head all the way to the left, getting as close as possible to the exclusion zone. With just one tack in the first beat, Richard rounded the first weather mark half a minute ahead of Williams. The breeze had gotten a bit stronger and steadier and as a result, Williams couldn’t count on its whims to find a passing opportunity. Richard kept his half-minute lead almost through the entire race.

Race 4: In the fourth race it seemed we were in the middle of the “Groundhog Day”, reliving the action that took place 20 minutes ago. Once again, Richard was perfect in his timing and, once again, Williams missed his. Richard crossed the starting line on the pin end, two boatlengths ahead of Williams and again head to the left, rounding the top mark ahead. Not only did Mathieu held on to its lead in the 1st run, he saw the right shift coming in the 2nd beat, took advantage of it and stretched his lead.

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] Day 3 of Match Race Germany saw Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team securing a safe spot in the Semi Finals, after a dramatic final luffing battle with Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar. Five skippers were however, pushed out of the event, namely Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia, Ian Ainslie (RSA) Team Proximo, Mads Ebler (DEN) Ebler Matchracing and Kathrin Kadelbach (GER) EWE Sailing Team have been pushed out of the event. Richard can now take a well earned rest during the Quarter Finals, which will feature Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar, Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team, Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing, Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge and Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team.

“It was down to our last match against Ian Williams on whether we would go straight to the semi-finals or have to sail the quarter finals. We are lucky to have our coach here with us analysing our performance and the other teams, so we are constantly learning”, said a cool and calm Richard at the Quarter Finals boat draw.

Mathieu Richard crosses ahead of Ian Williams during their match on day 3 of Match Race Germany. Langenargen, 22 May 2010. Photo copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images/WMRT

Crystal clear skies and unbroken sun brought a glorious shine to the enchanted Alpine lake today. Fans of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) have been able to share these stunning visuals beamed to them across the world using cutting edge technology. The Tour has joined forces with global telecommunications giant, Alcatel-Lucent, to stream the Match Race Germany event live over the Internet using the latest LTE (Long Term Evolution) 4G Technology. This is the first time in the world that a German sports event has used the end-to-end LTE network solution. The next generation technology replaces the traditional complex, slower solution for streaming video at sports events. Originally, streaming relied on 3G technology at 380kbps but with 4G, the speed has increased to a remarkable 100Mbps.

Dr. Erich Zielinski who works in the End-to-End 4G/LTE Solutions division at Alcatel-Lucent is thrilled to be able to put the company’s expertise in LTE 4G technology in use during the Tour. “The quality of the video streams captured by onboard cameras and transmitted via LTE to the on-shore production studio has been excellent. The WMRT is a great opportunity to showcase the amazing value that LTE can provide for major sports events”.

Pierre Orphanidis, Editor of Valencia Sailing, related the impact of 4G streaming. “Once again, the WMRT is taking the lead and showing the sailing world the way to go with TV production and web streaming. I think Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison should take note of what is going on at Match Race Germany and apply it to the next America’s Cup. What I like the most is the superb quality of the images and sound from on-board the racing yachts”.

Ian Williams looks back as he tries to force a penalty on Mathieu Richard in their match on day 3 of Match Race Germany. Langenargen, 22 May 2010. Photo copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images/WMRT

Members of the public at the Match Race Germany event village watched the live streaming on big screens and were keen to share their views. “It is a great visual display of what is happening on the water, the on-board filming is a great advancement”. A Mirsky Racing crew’s family here with him said, “The different views on the live streaming provided an all-round experience, showing course overviews and on-deck filming”.

Meanwhile, Richard will be using his free time tomorrow to try and view the live streaming, “The live streaming is terrific for the Tour. It allows our family and friends at home to see the action and follow what we are doing. The pictures transmitted are really good quality, with user friendly commentary by Mark Chisnell that the non-sailors can also understand”.

Scheduled tomorrow the Quarter Finals put Gilmour up against Mirsky where sparks will fly as the fellow Australians fight it out. Gilmour foresaw a semi final slot for his YANMAR Racing Team earlier in the event and it may be the youngster who gets to prove this prediction wrong. Minoprio will have his work cut out against the legendary Holmberg with Williams taking on Radich.

According to Richard the key to winning the 2010 Tour is to have the right balance between remaining relaxed, while at the same time being totally concentrated, “This is a very fragile balance”.

Day 3: Results

Semi Finalist
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team

Quarterfinalists
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing v Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar v Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing v Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team

Overall Round Robin Standings
1 Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 8-3
2 Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 8-3
3 Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 8-3
4 Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 7-4
5 Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 7-4
6 Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team 7-4
7 Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge 6-5
8 Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia 5-6
9 Ian Ainslie (RSA) Team Proximo 4-7
10 Mads Ebler (DEN) Ebler Matchracing 3-8
11 Kathrin Kadelbach (GER) EWE Sailing Team 2-9
12 Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Gill Global Team 1-10

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] Day 3 of Match Race Germany saw Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team securing a safe spot in the Semi Finals, after a dramatic final luffing battle with Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar. Five skippers were however, pushed out of the event, namely Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia, Ian Ainslie (RSA) Team Proximo, Mads Ebler (DEN) Ebler Matchracing and Kathrin Kadelbach (GER) EWE Sailing Team have been pushed out of the event. Richard can now take a well earned rest during the Quarter Finals, which will feature Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar, Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team, Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing, Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge and Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team.

“It was down to our last match against Ian Williams on whether we would go straight to the semi-finals or have to sail the quarter finals. We are lucky to have our coach here with us analysing our performance and the other teams, so we are constantly learning”, said a cool and calm Richard at the Quarter Finals boat draw.

Mathieu Richard crosses ahead of Ian Williams during their match on day 3 of Match Race Germany. Langenargen, 22 May 2010. Photo copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images/WMRT

Crystal clear skies and unbroken sun brought a glorious shine to the enchanted Alpine lake today. Fans of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) have been able to share these stunning visuals beamed to them across the world using cutting edge technology. The Tour has joined forces with global telecommunications giant, Alcatel-Lucent, to stream the Match Race Germany event live over the Internet using the latest LTE (Long Term Evolution) 4G Technology. This is the first time in the world that a German sports event has used the end-to-end LTE network solution. The next generation technology replaces the traditional complex, slower solution for streaming video at sports events. Originally, streaming relied on 3G technology at 380kbps but with 4G, the speed has increased to a remarkable 100Mbps.

Dr. Erich Zielinski who works in the End-to-End 4G/LTE Solutions division at Alcatel-Lucent is thrilled to be able to put the company’s expertise in LTE 4G technology in use during the Tour. “The quality of the video streams captured by onboard cameras and transmitted via LTE to the on-shore production studio has been excellent. The WMRT is a great opportunity to showcase the amazing value that LTE can provide for major sports events”.

Pierre Orphanidis, Editor of Valencia Sailing, related the impact of 4G streaming. “Once again, the WMRT is taking the lead and showing the sailing world the way to go with TV production and web streaming. I think Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison should take note of what is going on at Match Race Germany and apply it to the next America’s Cup. What I like the most is the superb quality of the images and sound from on-board the racing yachts”.

Ian Williams looks back as he tries to force a penalty on Mathieu Richard in their match on day 3 of Match Race Germany. Langenargen, 22 May 2010. Photo copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images/WMRT

Members of the public at the Match Race Germany event village watched the live streaming on big screens and were keen to share their views. “It is a great visual display of what is happening on the water, the on-board filming is a great advancement”. A Mirsky Racing crew’s family here with him said, “The different views on the live streaming provided an all-round experience, showing course overviews and on-deck filming”.

Meanwhile, Richard will be using his free time tomorrow to try and view the live streaming, “The live streaming is terrific for the Tour. It allows our family and friends at home to see the action and follow what we are doing. The pictures transmitted are really good quality, with user friendly commentary by Mark Chisnell that the non-sailors can also understand”.

Scheduled tomorrow the Quarter Finals put Gilmour up against Mirsky where sparks will fly as the fellow Australians fight it out. Gilmour foresaw a semi final slot for his YANMAR Racing Team earlier in the event and it may be the youngster who gets to prove this prediction wrong. Minoprio will have his work cut out against the legendary Holmberg with Williams taking on Radich.

According to Richard the key to winning the 2010 Tour is to have the right balance between remaining relaxed, while at the same time being totally concentrated, “This is a very fragile balance”.

Day 3: Results

Semi Finalist
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team

Quarterfinalists
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing v Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar v Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing v Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team

Overall Round Robin Standings
1 Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 8-3
2 Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 8-3
3 Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 8-3
4 Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 7-4
5 Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 7-4
6 Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team 7-4
7 Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge 6-5
8 Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia 5-6
9 Ian Ainslie (RSA) Team Proximo 4-7
10 Mads Ebler (DEN) Ebler Matchracing 3-8
11 Kathrin Kadelbach (GER) EWE Sailing Team 2-9
12 Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Gill Global Team 1-10

[Source: World Math Racing Tour] Competitors at Match Race Germany, Stage 2 of the 2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour (WMRT), have provided a series of slow motion ballet duets for the start of the Round Robin. The 4 to 5 knots of wind on Lake Constance from the South West has brought out the best in lake sailing ability, with some skippers like Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team preferring these conditions having been taught on ‘Lac de Maine’. Richard has noticed that there are a number of match racing regattas run on lakes and now simulates these lake conditions on the Atlantic Coast of France. “To create the experience just like racing on a lake I train with my team really close to the shore, this mirrors the light and shifty conditions when the breeze is off the land”.

Those who have mastered Bodensee’s light wind condition are overall leaders Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team and the current 2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour leader, Richard, both winning all 3 of their matches from today.

Highlights from Day 1 of Match Race Germany. Langenargen, 20 May 2010. Video copyright World Match Racing Tour

There is then a block of four skippers who are all at 2-1, namely Adam Minoprio, (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, Ian Williams (GBR) under his new team name Team GAC Pindar, Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing and Ian Ainslie (RSA) Team Proximo . This is a very tight set group and the balance could shift instantly with the likes of Gilmour involved. Gilmour has the best record of any skipper at Match Race Germany, having previously won this Stage three times in a row from 2004 through to 2006.

Mirsky highlighted that Gilmour is ‘the man to beat at Langenargen’ saying, “I think Peter is going to be tough to beat on Lake Constance — he has a great record here. He likes tricky conditions and big boats”. Mirsky has been working on his skills in the light wind since his disappointment at Match Race France. Taking part in ‘Open de Espana Match Race’ with light wind has definitely worked in the 23 year old’s favour and Gilmour has related that after growing up in the Australian wind conditions, understanding light weather sailing is down to ‘hard work’.

Mirsky said “we actually feel pretty lucky today, we created some luck but we also received some in the process. We had some good starts and managed to make the best of them. The race committee had done the best they could do in these conditions, the wind comes in they get the races off quickly which leads to a good half of the race. It then gets shifty and it can be hard to stay on top of these shifts. We anticipated the conditions here and are really pleased to have clinched some wins”.

Torvar Mirsky leads Match Race Germany. Langenargen, 20 May 2010. Photo copyright Gareth Cooke / Subzero Images / World Match Racing Tour

The depth of talent on this year’s Tour has not disappointed the growing fan base The latest ISAF World Match Race Rankings released included 8 of the WMRT tour card holders in the top 10 standings. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing the current ISAF World Match Racing World Champion, leads the ranking ladder in front of the youngest contender on the Tour, Mirsky, and Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN.
Twenty six-year-old Kathrin Kadelbach (GER) EWE Sailing Team, Match Race Germany’s first ever female skipper, will have to set herself a new goal tomorrow as she has already won a match against Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Gill Global Team. The 2012 Olympic hopeful who is campaigning in the 470 class to race at Weymouth and Portland, is definitely a player in this male dominated event.

Day 1: Round Robin Results
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 3-0
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 3-0
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 2-1
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 2-1
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 2-1
Ian Ainslie (RSA) Team Proximo 2-1
Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia 1-2
Kathrin Kadelbach (GER) EWE Sailing Team 1-2
Mads Ebler (DEN) Ebler Matchracing 1-2
Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team 1-2
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Gill Global Team 0-3
Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge 0-3