“Its frustrating not being able to race for the title, we felt as though we were sailing well but we can’t control the wind. We are on the pace and we are really looking forward to Korea next week” said Torvar Mirsky.

Yanmar Racing aren’t easy opponents at the best of times, especially here in Germany where skipper Peter Gilmour has taken out the title 3 times. The morning’s racing was in relatively consistent winds for Lake Constance, and the Mirsky Racing Team were able to get an early lead. However Yanmar Racing Team struck back to level the scores at 1 -1. MRT then went on to take out the next two races just before the wind shut down for the semi finals.

The winner of the First Stage, Mathieu Richard from the French Match Racing Team chose to race Jesper Radich in the first to 3 points Semi Finals, leaving the world number one Adam Minoprio from BlackMatch Racing to face off against world number two team, MRT.

With ten hours of racing behind them, both teams were very heated going into the last races of the day, and it showed with penalties being awarded throughout the three races.

“We weren’t doing a very good job of starting in the first two matches against BlackMatch, but we felt like we were sailing fast and smart. In the third race it was really do or die for us, and they got a red flag penalty on the start line which put them out the back door.” Said MRT’s trimmer Kinley Fowler.

“Adam’s team doesn’t have the best track record when they are two up in a finals, plus it is Torvar’s birthday tomorrow so hopefully we will have that little bit of luck on our side to push us out in front.”

Semi Finals:

• Mathieu Richard – French Match Racing Team 1 win, Jesper Racdich – Radich Racing Team 2 wins
• Adam Minoprio – BlackMatch Racing Team 2 wins, Torvar Mirsky – Mirsky Racing Team 1 win

MRT through to the Quarter Finals of Match Race Germany

A tough day on the water saw MRT finish the stage one round robin in 4th place, automatically placing them into the quarter finals.

With only 3 races remaining in the round, the team suffered two losses to rivals Adam Minoprio and Mathieu Richard, but with a guaranteed pass through to the next stage the team was able to relax a little.

Now moving on to the quarter finals MRT will face their Australian rival and match racing legend, Peter Gilmour.

Gilmour has managed to get the best of MRT in their last few meetings, but the team is feeling its about time to turn the tables and take down Gilmour at the game in which he has been competing at for over 30 years.

The last time they race Gilmour knocked MRT out of the Monsoon Cup, thus diminishing their hopes of winning the 2009 WMRT.

“The wind was very tricky today, the light winds made the decision of when to turn back to the line in the pre-start crucial, we were a bit slow in adjusting to this and as a result we didn’t get the opportunity to take the first shift, from then on we were on the back foot”

“We are not unhappy with the day though, we feel as though we are progressing nicely and look forward to taking on Gilly in the quarters, we have unfinished business with him” commented Mirsky on the days performance.

Tomorrow live video footage can be seen here at 10am.

Semi Finalist

• French Match Racing Team FRA

Quarter Finals

• MRT AUS vs. Yanmar Racing AUS
• ETNZ Black Match NZL vs. Victory Challenge SWE
• Team Pindar GRB vs. Radich Sailing Team DEN

Other Results

• 8th Team Italia ITA
• 9th Team Proximo RSA
• 10th Ebler Match Racing DEN
• 11th Ewe Sailing Team GER
• 12th Gill Global Team SWE

Langenargen delivers a picture perfect day as MRT climb to 6 wins on day two of Match Race Germany.

After a strong day yesterday, the Mirsky Racing Team kept up their strong form, only losing two races against the old fox Peter Gilmour from Yanmar Racing and Team Pindar’s Ian Williams who is currently leading the event on 7 wins and 1 loss.

Coming into the event, MRT knew that starting well in the Bavaria 35′s was going to be the deciding factor for a lot of races, especially in the light winds on display this week. Today this rang true, with MRT losing both their races at the start line. In particular was the team’s 4th race of the day against Peter Gilmour.

MRT were well in control of Yanmar Racing Team, pushing them to the wrong side of the starting line, but in the dying seconds before the gun, they were unable to gain momentum and Gilmour came out on top.

“There was a small miscommunication onboard our boat which let them build speed and get off the line while we were still dead in the water.” Said MRT’s bowman Graeme Spence. “However that error aside we feel really comfortable and relaxed this week. We are also learning a lot about the boats and this tricky venue with each race, so hopefully we can keep this momentum going into the later stages.”

After some tough racing in fickle winds, and a little bit of good fortune, the Mirsky Racing Team have finished day one of Match Race Germany undefeated.

A slow start to the day saw MRT stepping on in the 4th flight to race fellow SailRacing representative Magnus Holmburg of Victory Challenge. After three attempts, racing finally got under way in very shifty winds. With a substantial lead off the line, the team extended their lead to put their first win comfortably in the bag.

Next up was Radich Racing Team who fought hard in the close battle for the lead, but with a miscommunication on board, they handed the victory to MRT by sailing to the wrong mark.

The race committee then managed to squeeze in one more race in the dying breeze. MRT faced Team Proximo, helmed by Ian Ainslie from South Africa. The team managed to hold onto a tight lead throughout the race, but a small shift favoured Team Proximo, and they stole the lead within metres of the finish line.

“We thought it was all over because they were so close to the line, but we had one last shot at it, and with a perfectly timed gybe we just squeezed back in front” said an elated Tudur Owen after the victory. “There must have been half a foot in it at the most, but we would have been really upset if we had lost it because we put everything into staying in front – not an easy task in today’s conditions.”

The team hit the water this afternoon for the practice session trying to familiarise themselves with the local Bavaria 35 Match yachts that are provided by the organisers.

Graeme Spence, bowman fresh off the plane from Australia said

“Its great to get back out on the water, we have had a break since Marseille where we had a pretty disappointing result at the season opener, so we are eager to get out there tomorrow morning. We are sailing on Lake Constance, which is known for its light wind so wind strategy will be crucial here.

Stage 2 of the 2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour – Lake Constance Heats up for Match Race Germany.

The 13th edition of Match Race Germany, Stage 2 of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour (WMRT), will be starting on May 19th and running through to May 24th. Match Race Germany is one of the longest running events on the infamous World Match Racing Tour that encompasses a massive 10 regatta series during 2010, over a 9 month period. The racing will be live on the internet this year, a first for Match Race Germany, which is seeking to attract a wider worldwide fan base.

The 12 team line up from 8 different countries will again provide some spectacular match racing at the picturesque Langenargen, Germany on Lake Constance. Top names include current ISAF Match Racing World Champion; Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team; – legendary match racer with 15 WMRT event wins to his name; Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing – winner of the 2010 Stage 1 event; Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team – double ISAF Match Racing World Champion; Ian Williams (GBR) Sail Bahrain – Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia – 2010 tour card holder; Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team – come back king; Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge – furious Dane and previous Match Race Germany winner; Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team as well as Mads Ebler (DEN) Ebler Matchracing and Ian Ainslie (RSA) Team

Match Race Germany has attracted these top helms not only through the promise of valuable World Match Racing Tour ranking points and high quality race management, but also for prize money in excess of US$60,000. Competition will be tough especially with lake racing involved, Richard enjoys the challenge of Lake Constance,

“the conditions in Langenargen are often very hard and difficult to sail, but I love it!”.

2010 will also see the first ever female to helm at Match Race Germany. Kathrin Kadelbach (GER) EWE Sailing Team will be racing with her tactician, Ulrike Schümann, this duo are also campaigning for the Games to be held at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy in 2012. Schümann explained the team dynamics, “with light winds, women do not have a big disadvantage, and for the strong winds we will have 3 strong men in our crew who will have to work a little harder”.

The Southern Germany location is proud to be hosting this prestigious event seen locally as a sailing festival. Eberhard Magg, organiser of Match Race Germany, commented,

“we are very happy to once again be able to present a high calibre world class fleet to our predicted 40,000 fans and visitors again. Match Race Germany is, and will stay a magnet for sailing heroes and upcoming stars at international level, which is made possible through support and encouragement from our sponsors”.

All the action from this professional sailing series will be streamed live for 2010 via the internet and big screens at the event venue with the addition of Nils Kaben, the renowned German TV sailing expert, commentating on the activity.

Training will be available for 2 hours to each team on May 19 where some will experience for the first time the Bavaria Match 35 yachts designed by German manufacturers, Bavaria Yachtbau.

Sailors, families and WMRT fans will be able to enjoy the festival atmosphere of Langenargen during Match Race Germany. A family friendly programme will be available with free entry to the event village including; live music, interactive entertainment, international food and drink stalls and on site taster sailing sessions for children.

(*) please note that the final skipper list for Stage 2 will be announced shortly.

MRT vs Black Match in Korea 2008

Fickle winds, new boats and a new venue for the Mirsky Racing Team saw them finishing in 10th
place at Match Race Germany earlier this week. Although it was a disappointing result for the
young team who went into the event seeded in 4th place, a short debrief and an early flight to
Korea has got them pumped up for the Korea Match Cup starting tomorrow morning.

As a team, MRT excel in manipulating the boats to generate as much speed out of situations where most
teams are slow, but with Match Race Germany being raced in Bavaria’s designed for cruising, their
advantage was taken away. This has opened their eyes to the need for improving this style of sailing in
order to become the world’s best match racers.

For now however, the team has shifted their focus onto the Korea Match Cup, which is expecting to play
host to 400,000 spectators over the 5 days. 12 teams are competing for the biggest prize pool of 300,000
Korean Won, including Ben Ainslie who only won Match Race Germany today. Laurie Jury from New
Zealand qualified for the event 2 weeks ago, and could prove to be a threat after spending a week in the
tough venue, with tides up to 4 metres.

A special thanks to Line7, Harken and the Royal Perth Yacht Club for their support.

FINAL RESULTS FOR MATCH RACE GERMANY

1st Ben Ainslie (GBR) Team Origin

2nd Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team
3rd Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
4th Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team
5th Ian Williams (GBR) Bahrain Team Pindar
6th Francesco Bruni (ITA) Joe Fly Match Race
7th Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing
8th Sébastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/K-Challenge
9th Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Team Onboard
10th Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing
11th Eric Monnin (SUI) Team Search.ch
12th Carsten Kemmling (GER)

Match Race Germany 09 – Day2 from WMRT on Vimeo.

Next we faced round robin leader Mathieu Richard, with all the pressure to perform we started with Richard
having the slight advantage off the line. Unfortunately half way up the first windward beat our boom snapped
at the gooseneck and ruined our hopes of a quarter finals berth. Our final race was delayed as we had to
go into shore and rig up the spare boat. Upon return to the course we raced Bahrain Team Pindar (Ian
Williams), who managed to gain a marginal lead off the line, and lead around the course to comfortably
defeat us.

We now have Korea to look forward to starting at the beginning of this week.

Photo Credit : Match Race Germany / Tobias Störkle