2010 WMRT: Monsoon Cup

[MLovett]

Twist In the Tale Predicted For World Match Racing Tour Finale

London – 22 November 2010
With five skippers still in with a chance of winning the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) as the series heads for the final event of the season at the Monsoon Cup, WMRT has drawn comparisons to the recent grandstand finish in Formula 1 which saw four drivers go into the final Grand Prix of the year with a shot at winning the title.

Just as F1 had a sting in its tail with Vettel, who went into the last race in third place, snatching the title, WMRT is being tipped to have an equally dramatic climax at the Monsoon Cup, which is being held at the five-star Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort and Spa in Kuala Terengganu from 30 November to 5 December.

Sailing pundit Mark Chisnell who has watched the action unfold throughout the season has called into question championship leader Matthieu Richard’s preparation saying: “I was interested to see that he’s chosen to race in Perth just before the Monsoon Cup. Mathieu is very methodical in his preparation, and I’m sure he’s got a plan, but this year his worst results have come in events that followed closely one after another – not a particularly good omen for him.”

To read Chisnell’s thoughts on who will win and see a full breakdown of who needs to do what to win visit www.wmrt.com

[MLovett]

Distraction Not in Minoprio’s Dictionary

London – 23 November 2010

Legendary sailing commentator, Peter Montgomery MBE, believes the race to become ISAF Match Racing World Champion is simply too close to call. However, one thing he is certain of is that Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/Blackmatch Racing will be focussed solely on retaining what he believes is his rightful crown.

Speaking to the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT), Montgomery said Minoprio’s decision to compete in the Volvo Ocean Race next year would not be in the young Kiwi’s mind: “Minoprio will want to retain his World Championship. Distraction is not in his dictionary.”

For Minoprio and the other four skippers vying to become World Champion, Montgomery knows exactly what it will take for them to win at the Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort and Spa in Kuala Terengganu:

“If there is a lot of rain the week prior to the regatta, then the rivers become raging torrents and turn Pulau Duyong into a very difficult area to sail. We have seen in the past red hot favourites undone by calls they misjudged in the unforgiving current. Also, there are no more regattas to make amends on this year’s Tour if things go wrong. The last chance saloon can do weird things to minds. Top sport is a study of people under stress. The winner will be the skipper and crew who cope best with the two key factors. Conditions and stress.”

To read more on Peter Montgomery’s analysis and insight into the Monsoon Cup, visit www.wmrt.com

[MLovett]

Ainslie Looks to Bow Out at the Top

London – 24 November 2010

Triple Olympic gold medallist, Ben Ainslie believes victory in the ISAF Match Racing World Championship at the Monsoon Cup next week would be the perfect swansong for TEAMORIGIN and the ideal retort to Mathieu Richard’s taunts of inconsistency.

Speaking ahead of what will be, for the foreseeable future at least, the last time Ainslie competes in a match race for TEAMORIGIN alongside one of the most decorated crews in sailing, he said:

“It would be fantastic for us as a team to bow out at the top of the World Championship and to win the Monsoon Cup next week. The Monsoon Cup is unique – I’ve never sailed in an event quite like it because I don’t think there is an event like it in the world.”

Meanwhile, commenting on Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team’s belief that Ainslie’s biggest weakness is his ‘inconsistency’, the Brit replied: “I was quite amused to read Mathieu Richard’s comment - My team has competed in five events on this year’s Tour and we’re in with a chance of winning the title so I don’t agree with him on that.”

To read more about Ben Ainslie’s views on the race to win the Championship and the challenges the Monsoon Cup will throw at him, visit www.wmrt.com

[MLovett]

Tacticians Are Key to Success In The Monsoon Cup

London – 25 November 2010

Whilst the household names of Richard, Minoprio and Ainslie have been grabbing the media headlines recently, the spotlight is set to turn heavily on their trusted tacticians as the famously challenging conditions of next week’s Monsoon Cup come into focus.

Pre-race preparation and the ability to adapt to the changeable conditions on race day are a pre-requisite if teams are to stand a chance of combating their opponents on the course in Pulau Duyong in Kuala Terengganu from 30 November to 5 December.

Speaking to the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT), Team Azzurra’s Pierluigi De Felice, talked first-hand about the impact the weather will have next week:

“As a tactician, if the monsoon rain comes down hard you have to change your approach. The knock-on effect of a downpour is huge - The rain pushes the water levels up, the currents gain momentum and then the pre-start fight for position becomes even more critical. That’s when teams will take bigger risks which can define the success or failure of their race there and then.”

To read more about the team strategies as the race to the Championship and the Monsoon Cup heats up, visit www.wmrt.com

[MLovett]

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Victorious Robertson Lays Down Marker for Monsoon Cup

London – 27 November 2010

The impressive Phil Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing claimed the Sunseeker Australia Cup today with a sublime performance that will not have gone unnoticed by his competitors next week at the Monsoon Cup.

Robertson, who had already qualified for the Monsoon Cup having won the Asian Match Racing Championship, was competing in Australia to boost confidence ahead of next week’s event in Malaysia. Whilst he’s surely achieved that, he’s also ensured the five skippers still in with a chance of claiming the ISAF Match Racing World Championship will see him as a potential ‘spoiler’ to their chances.

A jubilant Robertson, said: “We’ve just been in the groove. The boys were all just so relaxed, just loving it and having a ball out there. The course was pretty interesting; it was extremely shifty but a lot of fun to sail. I think we jagged that last one but we’ll take it.”

Robertson’s victim in the Final, two-times Match Racing World Champion, Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar, summarised: “Phil has certainly shown he’s one of the teams to avoid next week. Ben (Ainslie), Adam (Minoprio) and Mathieu (Richard) will be very weary of him. We really flagged in the Final and he did a great job in what were tight race conditions.”

To read more about Robertson’s victory and the Monsoon Cup, visit www.wmrt.com