Álvaro Marinho and the Portuguese crew (Team Seth.pt) they didn't overcome the experience of New Zealander Gavin Brady, and they were moved away in the quarter final. Brady dominated the pre starts and won by 3-0. The second crew to celebrate the qualification for the quarter finals was Team Pindar, led by the Briton Ian Williams, that beat by 3-1 the leader of Match Racing World Circuit, French Mathieu Richard (Saba Sailing Team). Williams, which occupies the 3rd place of the Circuit, was able to overcome his long date rival and give an important step towards the top of the classification.
In the semi-finals all the flights were very close and the fifth and decisive flight was a matter of who controlled better their anxiety. The expert Peter Gilmlour defeated the French Sebastien Col (Areva Challenge) by 3-2. With the same result (3-2), Ian Williams overpowered Gavin Brady (BMW Oracle Racing Team), that experienced the bitter taste of defeat for the first time in this event.
Peter Gilmour, 11th of the World Match Racing Tour and Ian Williams (3rd) make their debut in the Portugal Match Cup final. The petit final between Sebastien Col (5th in the WRMT) and the New Zealander Gavin Brady (23rd) was also scheduled at the same time.
In the final day of the Tróia Portugal Match Cup, stage that is part of the World Match Racing Tour, the winner was not a surprise. For the first time in four editions of the Portugal Match Cup, the Australian Peter Gilmour (PST) won the event. In the final it was expected that Ian Williams (Pindar) would create some difficulties but that did not happen, with Gilmour recording 3 victories without answer by the opposing crew. Ian Williams committed some mistakes that ended up creating opportunities. The final was exciting and in spite of the 3-0 result it was disputed at a very high level with Gilmour leading the first two regattas and Williams in command during the third. This is Gilmour's first victory in Portugal and for that the Australian expert accomplished a long date objective. On the other hand the Briton Ian Williams, defeated finalist, was disappointed.
In the fight for the 3rd and 4th place the victory smiled to the New Zealander Gavin Brady, which in the petit-final was stronger than the French Sebastien Col, defeating him by 2-1. The crew of the BMW Oracle Sailing Team mitigated the pain after the loss in the previous day which prevented them to reach the final, after remaining unbeaten for eight regattas. French Col took advantage winning the first regatta but a flawless performance by Brady and his crew did not give chances to the Areva Challenge opponents.
Final standings:
1. Peter Gilmour, AUS, PST, 14-3
2. Ian Williams, GBR, 10-7, Team Pindar
3. Gavin Brady, NZL, BMW Oracle Racing, 12-4
4. Sebastien Col, FRA, Areva Challenge, 10-8
5. Mathieu Richard, FRA, Saba Sailing Team, 6-5
6. Paolo CIan, ITA, Shosholoza, 7-9
7. Philippe Presti, FRA, Luna Rossa, 6-6
8. Alvaro Marinho, POR, Seth.pt
9. Staffan Lindberg, FIN, Alandia Sailing Team
10. Eugeny Neugodnikov, RUS, Lord of the Sail Team
11. Bjorn Hansen, SWE, Team Apport.net
12. Sally Barkow, USA
