In a day of challenges produced by light, patchy winds and intermittent rain showers, Gavin Brady (NZL) and his team from Oracle Racing and Jesper Radich (DEN) from Desafio Espanol managed to emerge with unbeaten records in the first day of racing at Match Cup Sweden. The two are ahead on three and four wins each to lead their respective groups of eight in the first day of round robin racing.
Both Brady and Radich are recent veterans of the Louis Vuitton Semi-Final round in Valencia, but their America's Cup programmes have kept them too busy from being recently active on the World Tour. However, both are pleased to be back in battle against some of the world's best in Marstrand.
Brady continues to train Oracle syndicate head Larry Ellison in match race sailing. they intend to use the Tour events to learn about the latest moves and interpretations in the rules, and bring them back to practice with Larry Ellison in San Francisco on the two Swedish Match 40's.
About racing, it was a real mixed bag: Brady led in the first race from start to finish, changed leads twice in the second, and were behind and then caught up and passed on the last leg in the last. The DS 37 are highly manoeuvrable, especially compared to America's Cup boats.
Having competed as a skipper at last October's Allianz Cup, Ellison is keen to make another appearance at a Tour event. He really loves sailing in San Francisco, and had a lot of fun at the Allianz Cup.
The syndicate is not sure right now about Oracle Racing's future interest in the America's Cup. Ellison loves the event despite the obvious disappointment in the results for them. In the meantime their intent is to keep working on match racing skills, as that slip as a team in Valencia.
