Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Statement from GGYC

America's Cup defender Societe Nautique de Geneve has been asked if Alinghi 5 will meet the event's nationality rules. In a letter today to SNG, GGYC Commodore Marcus Young wrote, "We find the Deed to be clear and unambiguous. It requires that the yacht, including its hull, appendages, mast and sails, be constructed in the country of the club it represents. We have gone to great lengths to comply with the Deed in all respects, including 'constructed-in-country,' and expect that your Club will do so as well."

Alinghi 5 has been sailing continually with sails made at Minden, Nevada in the USA.

Absent agreement on the constructed-in-country interpretation, the five-member International Jury recently appointed by the International Sailing Federation would be asked to rule on the matter.

Both yachts should come to the start "street-legal." The sailing world expects this, and wants to know before the Match is sailed, not after. Having the Jury in place allows sailing matters to be dealt with by sailing experts.

GGYC's objective is that the on-the-water result of the 33rd Match be conclusive. Any remaining contentious issues should be dealt with properly before the Match is sailed. No one wants the outcome of the Match to have a question mark hanging over it.

Louis Vuitton Trophy

The World Sailing Teams Association (WSTA) and Louis Vuitton today announced more Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas for 2010 and early 2011. These new international events follow the successful regatta held in Nice, France, last month. Each Louis Vuitton Trophy regatta is a stand-alone regatta sailed in event-supplied 85-foot long AC Class yachts that require a crew of 17 top sailors to sail. The regatta concept is designed to transform a port venue, regardless of its previous sailing culture, into the capital of professional yacht racing for two weeks, along with all the associated activities and excitement, on and off the water.The concept of the Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas was inspired by the acclaimed Louis Vuitton Pacific Series raced in Auckland, NZ, last February.

The schedule for the next events covers four distinctly different parts of the world:

Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland: 9 - 21 March 2010
Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena, Sardinia: 22 May - 6 June 2010
Louis Vuitton Trophy Middle East: 13 - 28 November 2010
Louis Vuitton Trophy Hong Kong: 9 - 24 January 2011 (To be confirmed)

*The venue in The Middle East is embargoed until January 15th 2010

Court Stands for Americans

New York Appellate Division court ruled unanimously against an appeal from Societe Nautique de Geneve to reinstate Ras Al Kahimah as the venue for the upcoming America's Cup races, and again unanimously against SNG's position on BMW Oracle's rudders with regards to measurement. The BMW ORACLE Racing team has departed San Diego for Valencia in preparation for February's 33rd America's Cup Match.

Golden Gate Yacht Club: The focus for the 33rd America's Cup is now squarely on Valencia, Spain. Today, the Appellate Division rejected the defender's second attempt to have Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, host the February match.

"This is a big stride forward," commented Tom Ehman, Golden Gate Yacht Club spokesperson. "In place of doubt and delay, the sailing world wants certainty. It wants to see this contest to go-ahead soon and be contested under fair rules."

The New York Supreme Court ruled on October 30th that Ras al Khaimah did not comply with the Deed of Gift, a decision upheld by the Appellate Division in a unanimous verdict.

The Court also turned down SNG's second attempt to have rudders included in the crucial Load Water-Line measurement calculation. This has never occurred in the 32 previous America's Cup matches and won't happen in the 33rd.

"With the International Sailing Federation re-drafting the previously unbalanced and unfair agreement it struck with Societe Nautique de Geneve, and discussions continuing to normalize the Notice of Race, the common-sense approach to the remaining issues in this America's Cup is prevailing," added Ehman.

SNG: The Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court today upheld Justice Kornreich's decision of 30 October 2009 that disqualified the America's Cup Defender Societe Nautique de Geneve's choice of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates as venue for the 33rd America's Cup. The four-judge panel also upheld Kornreich's decision to exclude rudders from the measurement of the load waterline length of the race yacht.

"Once again BMW Oracle's strategy to try to win the America's Cup in court instead of on the water has been successful. For the first time in the history of the America's Cup the Defender has been stripped of its fundamental right to select the venue. Societe Nautique de Geneve accepts this decision and Alinghi is looking forward to racing for the America's Cup on the water in Valencia, Spain, in February 2010," said Fred Meyer, SNG vice-commodore.

World Yacht Racing Forum

Russell Coutts, CEO and Skipper, BMW Oracle Racing shaking hands with Brad Butterworth, Skipper and vice president, Team Alinghi after the American`s cup debate: what is the future for challengers at the 2009 World Yacht Racing Forum 2009 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
The World Yacht Racing Forum (WYRF) returns in 2009 with more speakers, more exhibition showcase displays, more networking sessions, more evening social functions and even greater industry participation.
A packed programme of plenary address presentations, 8 interactive panel sessions, 9 hours of networking time built into the programme, 2 evening social functions and a host of other benefits will ensure all participants have the time and opportunity to meet and engage during the two-day event.

Monsoon Cup

The 2009 ISAF Match Racing World Championship was at stake on morning four of the Monsoon Cup, the final round of the World Match Racing Tour in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.
When this regatta started Australian Torvar Mirsky and his Match Racing Team crew were number two ranked on the Tour leader board and 12 points behind New Zealander Adam Minoprio and his Emirates Team New Zealand BlackMatch Racing. Mirsky was down 0-2 against the defending Monsoon Cup champion, America’s Cup and World Match Racing Tour veteran Peter Gilmour. The maths showed that if Mirsky was eliminated in the Monsoon Cup quarter finals and Adam Minoprio was to win his battle with Mathieu Richard, Minoprio would become the World Match Racing Champion. Entering the starting box Minoprio had his game face on... he nailed the start and was two lengths ahead on the left of the course. After contact at the top mark Minoprio was given a penalty and Richard a red flag, meaning he had to take an immediate penalty. Minoprio extinguished his penalty and went on to win the match.

Mirsky beat Gilmour in the third race; the scoreline was now 1-2. Mirsky had to win the next match in order to earn a fifth and final match that he would also need to win. Coming towards the top mark Gilmour was ahead by half a boat length. Mirsky decided to follow Gilmour, hoping to stay close enough to pounce when Gilmour did his penalty turn. On the third beat Gilmour was 45 metres ahead, looking to do his penalty turn in the best tide. Mirsky closed to 40 metres giving Gilmour no option but do a finishing line spin. Mirksy finished first, but was penalised and Gilmour won the match. Adam Minoprio is the new ISAF Match Racing World Champion.

Ben Ainslie and Adam Minoprio met at the Monsoon Cup final, Sunday 6 December. The drama started even before the pre-start when the New Zealand skipper Minoprio sailed out of the sailing area and ran aground. Crew member Dave Swete stripped to his shorts and went into the water to check the keel for damage and to clean off any of the river mud that may have stuck. In the first match of the final, Minoprio entered on port but headed to the starboard end of the box and had the pre-start advantage. Ainslie was over early and was penalized for failing to keep clear. Minoprio too was over early but was able to duck back while Ainslie almost stalled and was slow to get back. Minoprio had a massive advantage; he was in the current and steaming around the top mark while Ainslie was 18 seconds behind. Minoprio extended and headed for home with a massive ten boat length lead and crossed the finish line first.

It got worse in the second match as Minoprio timed his start perfectly and headed left, leaving Ainslie staggering. Minoprio crossed the line to go two up in the first to three. Regroup was what TeamOrigin certainly needed to do. Just seconds before the third race start, Minoprio saw pressure coming in from the right and did not contest the previously favoured left hand side. Ainslie hit the current on the left but it was not enough, Minoprio was around the mark two lengths ahead. On the third lap and on the right, Minoprio had private current and the best breeze. Adam Minoprio and his BlackMatch Racing team won the Monsoon Cup.

Semi Final ResultsBen Ainslie (GBR) Team Origin vs Sebastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/ALL4ONE 3-2Adam Minoprio (NZL) Emirates Team New Zealand/BlackMatch Racing vs Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 3-1

Quarter Final ResultsBen Ainslie (GBR) Team Origin vs Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 3-0Sebastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/ALL4ONE vs Phil Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing Team 3-2Adam Minoprio (NZL) Emirates Team New Zealand/BlackMatch Racing vs Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 3-0Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing vs Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 3-1

Monsoon Cup

Adam Minoprio and his Emirates Team New Zealand BlackMatch crew faced a sudden death match, fighting for his season with a scoreline of 4-6, against Sebastien Col, 6-4 (French Match Racing Team ALL4ONE). Sebastien Col attracted a penalty while Minoprio was looking for a clean start. The pair battled throughout the match; Minoprio finally taking the win to keep his World Tour Championship hopes alive.
In the other matches to complete the round robin, Torvar Mirsky (Mirsky Racing Team) defeated Peter Gilmour (YANMAR Racing).
Mathieu Richard (French Team) beat Ben Ainslie and his TeamOrigin crew handsomely.
Francesco Bruni and his Italian Azzurra team took the last match in the last flight from Ian Williams and Team Pindar.
The skippers who did not make the quarter finals were Magnus Holmberg (Victory Challenge) 5-6, Francesco Bruni (Azzurra), 4-7, Ian Williams (Team Pindar) 4-7 and Hazwan Hazim (Taring Pelangi TESA) 0-11.
Onto the quarter finals and Ben Ainslie (TeamOrigin) chose to sail against Damien Iehl (French Team). Ainslie controlled the left, while Iehl was very happy to go right, and the race started with a big split. Iehl gained two lengths in the heavier current, running up to five knots. But down the run Ainslie gained, staying out of the adverse current.
In the other quarter final matches, Peter Gilmour pushed young Perth competitor Torvar Mirsky to the left side of the line, before heading right. Mirsky headed right, but he fell in behind Gilmour and was unable to make an impression. Forced over the line early by Adam Minoprio (BlackMatch Racing), Mathieu Richard (French Match Racing Team) had to fight to stay in contact. At the bottom mark for the second time, Minoprio was two lengths ahead and headed right. But Richard gained rapidly in the left hand current; Minoprio was just a length ahead. With Richard failing to keep clear in a luffing match, the Frenchman attracted one penalty then another. All Minoprio had to do was to stay clear to win.
Although Phil Robertson lost his quarter final match against Sebastien Col this afternoon, he was still irrepressible.
The last quarter final match was the two Perth, Australian skippers, the old bull Peter Gilmour and the young bull Torvar Mirsky.

Monsoon Cup

Adam Minoprio and his Emirates Team New Zealand BlackMatch crew faced a sudden death match, fighting for his season with a scoreline of 4-6, against Sebastien Col, 6-4 (French Match Racing Team ALL4ONE). Sebastien Col attracted a penalty while Minoprio was looking for a clean start. The pair battled throughout the match; Minoprio finally taking the win to keep his World Tour Championship hopes alive.
In the other matches to complete the round robin, Torvar Mirsky (Mirsky Racing Team) defeated Peter Gilmour (YANMAR Racing).
Mathieu Richard (French Team) beat Ben Ainslie and his TeamOrigin crew handsomely.
Francesco Bruni and his Italian Azzurra team took the last match in the last flight from Ian Williams and Team Pindar.
The skippers who did not make the quarter finals were Magnus Holmberg (Victory Challenge) 5-6, Francesco Bruni (Azzurra), 4-7, Ian Williams (Team Pindar) 4-7 and Hazwan Hazim (Taring Pelangi TESA) 0-11.
Onto the quarter finals and Ben Ainslie (TeamOrigin) chose to sail against Damien Iehl (French Team). Ainslie controlled the left, while Iehl was very happy to go right, and the race started with a big split. Iehl gained two lengths in the heavier current, running up to five knots. But down the run Ainslie gained, staying out of the adverse current.
In the other quarter final matches, Peter Gilmour pushed young Perth competitor Torvar Mirsky to the left side of the line, before heading right. Mirsky headed right, but he fell in behind Gilmour and was unable to make an impression. Forced over the line early by Adam Minoprio (BlackMatch Racing), Mathieu Richard (French Match Racing Team) had to fight to stay in contact. At the bottom mark for the second time, Minoprio was two lengths ahead and headed right. But Richard gained rapidly in the left hand current; Minoprio was just a length ahead. With Richard failing to keep clear in a luffing match, the Frenchman attracted one penalty then another. All Minoprio had to do was to stay clear to win.
Although Phil Robertson lost his quarter final match against Sebastien Col this afternoon, he was still irrepressible.
The last quarter final match was the two Perth, Australian skippers, the old bull Peter Gilmour and the young bull Torvar Mirsky.

Monsoon Cup

After the monsoon drama of the first day, the toughest racing day so far in the history of the regatta, this morning the competitors had time to focus on the leader board. At the start of racing on day two of the Monsoon Cup the Asian Match Racing champion, New Zealander Phil Robertson, was 1-3. His single victory yesterday was against Ian Williams and he had been singled out as one of the teams who could miss the cut. Mathematically a team needs six wins to get through to the quarter-finals, so Robertson and his WAKA Racing crew had work to do.
However Robertson did not expect to beat Peter Gilmour the defending Monsoon Cup champion. Gilmour was aggressive in the starting box, but impressively Robertson outgunned him. Gilmour attracted two penalties in the pre-start; one a red flag meaning he had to take one penalty immediately. Game over. Sailing against the World Tour ranked number two Torvar Mirsky, Robertson forced the Australian to the left side of the starting line. Robertson was fast to the right hand current elevator and sailed to victory. Then came the Kiwi match up - Robertson against fellow New Zealander Adam Minoprio, who is the Tour leader. Minoprio and his crew were confident ahead of the match, but Robertson took control in the pre-start and grabbed the right hand side of the course. They were sailing bow to stern when the two boats reached the current at the top mark. Robertson was just a length ahead but down the run he extended to three lengths. He held the lead and went on to win.

Ian Williams and Team Pindar have dominated the World Tour for the last two years winning both the 2007 and 2008 World Match Racing Championships but right now Williams is in nightmare territory. After the first day Williams was 1-3, having recorded losses to Damien Iehl (French Team) Peter Gilmour (YANMAR Racing) and Phil Robertson (WAKA Racing), while defeating Torvar Mirsky (Mirsky Racing Team). Williams started with a workman like victory over the Malaysian Match Racing champion Hazwan Hazim Dermawan (MAS). He then lost to Sebastien Col (French Team/ALL4One) and Magnus Holmberg (Victory Challenge). But it was disaster for Williams in his match against Ben Ainslie, earning a penalty in the pre-start. Team Pindar sailed hard, won a leg advantage on the left, but lost the match. Robertson, the world ranked number 25, finished a great morning’s work beating Damien Iehl. WAKA Racing was now 5-3 and heading for the quarter-finals. Next the number 25 ranked sailor tackled former World Tour Champion Magnus Holmberg and in the tight pre-start Holmberg attracted a penalty. Robertson comprehensively outsailed his rival and went on to finish the day with a 6-3 score card.

Monsoon Cup

The Monsoon Cup, the final event of the nine stage 2009 World Match Racing Tour, will commence on the Pulau Duyong Basin course in Kuala Terengganu tomorrow and the stage is set for an epic battle.

Heavy monsoon rains have been falling in eastern Malaysia for the last week and today the World Tour's top match racing crews were on the water acclimatising to the conditions. The leader of the 2009 Tour, New Zealander Adam Minoprio commented as he came ashore this afternoon ‘We are set for a very challenging event this week and there is a lot at stake, the biggest prize money of any sailing event in the world (around US$450,000) and the 2009 World Match Racing Championship. ‘We are glad we had the Perth practice event last week, we certainly needed more time in these boats (Foundation 36s) and we will really need to be on the top of our game to hold out Torvar Mirsky and his MRT Racing Team. The battle for podium placings is going to be exciting.' The World Match Racing Tour's second ranked sailor, Australian Torvar Mirsky, stated ‘On paper it seems simple enough, we are 12 points behind Adam. We’d like to win and have Adam finish fourth. But the reality is much harder than that, the standard is so high and so even that if any of us stumble, we can fall pretty hard. Last year here, we made it to the semi-finals and then Peter Gilmour knocked us out, before going on to win.

‘Ian Williams or Mathieu Richard can take the World Tour crown too, so it’s getting tense.’
Peter Gilmour, the defending Monsoon Cup champion commented, ‘We are all in for an interesting week. It’s a very strong field and a challenging course. We can’t wait to get racing tomorrow.’

World Match Racing Tour Director Craig Mitchell summed up the situation this afternoon. 'With six crews in contention for podium places, the event is wide open. The points awarded in this deciding event are one and a half times that of regular tour events which means that with 150 points to be won, the World Match Racing Tour Championship is far from decided.'

Tour Standings (After 8 of 9 events)

1. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 100 Points

2. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 88 Points

3. Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar 75 Points

4. Mathieu Richard (FRA), French Match Racing Team Racing 74 Points

5. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR 71 Points

6. Ben Ainslie, (GBR) Team Origin 65 Points

7. Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team 48 Points

8. Sebastien Col, (FRA) French Match Racing Team 41 Points