match racing 360 - may 2012
DESCRIPTION
Match Racing 360° is a round-up of all the action and news on the international match racing circuit from the World Match Racing Tour through graded ISAF events right down to club racing.TRANSCRIPT
www.matchrace.com | Issue 04 | MAY 2012
MARVELLOUS MARSTRAND
EXCLUSIVE!PINDAR FINDS THE WAY TO SUCCESS
2012 ALPARI WORLDMATCH RACING TOURRULE CHANGES!
INTRODUCINGLELYSTAD, HOLLAND
HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA
Rupert Holmes discovers one of Sweden’s hidden tourist destinations
MATCH RACING 360° | page 3 | May 2012
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MATCH RACING 360° | page 3 | May 2012
ManagingEditor Audrey Lakai
Editor Graig Nunis
SubEditor Shafique Iqbal Craig Mitchell
ContributingEditors Rupert Holmes Dobbs Davis
Contributors Gordon Smith-Smith Partners K/S Eberhard Magg Melanie Benton Bin Yim Myra Nathiel Rahyu Waris
SocialMedia Dini Nurdayana Jonathan Chase Fatin Liyana Azian Ahmad Zabidin
ArtDirectors Kahmein Chong Ivan Tuen
Designers Mohd. Afsarudy Mohamed Yusof Leon Lai Cheng Wui Rudy Othman
Photography Monsoon Cup/Sub Zero Images Gareth Cooke/Sub Zero Images Mohd Izwan Mohd Nazam Loris von Siebenthal Ben Radford Chris Davies/Alpari World Match Racing Tour Chicago Match Race Centre RNZYS Victor Yu/Korea Match Cup Malaysia Match Racing Circuit The Crab Racer
Sales&Marketing Derick Yu
SalesDirector Matthew Strachan
SalesManager Thanendran Thanesvaran Alex Capes Yvonne Cornwell
Consultant Patrick Lim Peter Gilmour
4 MR360° May 2012
EDITOR’S NOTEThe season is upon us and many are excited as the Alpari World Match Racing Tour
(AWMRT) is the competition all match racers strive to be in.
Here at Match Race 360°, we are also excited – but for different reasons. As promised in the last issue, we are striving for a different look to the magazine and we are getting there.
More features and in-depth interviews with personalities that matter, a closer look at what sailing venues around the world have to offer non-sailors and of course, exclusive articles you can’t find
anywhere else. It is an on-going process but one, we are certainly proud of.
In this issue, Andrew Pindar the team principal of Team GAC Pindar who helped Ian Williams to the world title last season reveals to Rupert Holmes what sailing means to him.
Also, we have a picture of former match racing world champion Ben Ainslie carrying the Olympic torch after he was given the honour of starting the 70-day relay around Britain.
You can read more about Ainslie’s Olympic hopes in the special ‘Olympic-themed’ issue of MR360° in July.
Dobbs Davies takes a closer look at the new rules changes in match racing and also has an exclusive interview with perhaps the hottest young match racer around, Taylor Canfield.
Stay tuned for the more changes in the coming months as we look to make MR360° the definite guide for sailors.
Till the next time, happy sailing.
All rights reserved © 2012. Match Racing 360° and its contents is fully protected by copyright and nothing may be printed or reproduced wholly or in part without prior written permission. Application for permission for use of copyright material including permission to reproduce extracts in other published works shall be made to the publishers. Full acknowledgement of
author, publisher and source must be given.
MR360° May 2012 5
Pindar: The Way to Success 8
Williams Driven to Succeed Once Again 10
News: Tiller Wins Korea Qualifier 13
Malaysian Match Racing Circuit 14
News: New Zealand Women’s National 16
Venue: Langenargen, Germany 18
Gyeonggi Province, South Korea 22
Marstrand, Sweden 26
News: Olympics 31
Exclusive! Rule Changes 32
How To Use Social Media 34
Denmark CPH 37
Exclusive: Lelystad 38
Musikhin Triumphs in Qatar 41
Former World Champion Starts Olympic Relay 41
About Town: Korea Cup Awards Night 42
2012 Match Racing Calendar: June – July 44
New Blood: Taylor Canfield 46
ContactEditorial: [email protected]
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email at [email protected]
ContributorsDo you have a story for Match Racing 360°?
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CONTENTS
www.matchrace.com | Issue 04 | MAY 2012
MARVELLOUS MARSTRAND
EXCLUSIVE!PINDAR FINDS THE WAY TO SUCCESS
2012 ALPARI WORLDMATCH RACING TOURRULE CHANGES!
INTRODUCINGLELYSTAD, HOLLAND
HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA
Rupert Holmes discovers one of Sweden’s hidden tourist destinations
Cover photograph by Chris Davies/AWMRTSTENA Match Cup 2010
842
10
26
6 MR360° May 2012
World ChampionsCountry Winner Year Venue
Ian Williams 2011 World Tour
Ben Ainslie 2010 World Tour
Adam Minoprio 2009 World Tour
Ian Williams 2008 World Tour
Ian Williams 2006-2007 World Tour
Peter Gilmour 2005-2006* World Tour
James Spithill 2005 Calpe, Spain
Ed Baird 2004 Ekaterinburg, Russia
Ed Baird 2003 Riva del Garda, Italy
Karol Jablonski 2002 Stockholm, Sweden
Dean Barker 2000 Split, Croatia
Jesper Bank 1999 Copenhagen, Denmark
Peter Gilmour 1998 Hyama, Japan
Peter Gilmour 1997 Marstrand, Sweden
Russell Coutts 1996 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Ed Baird 1995 Auckland, New Zealand
Bertrand Pacé 1994 La Rochelle, France
Russell Coutts 1993 Long Beach, USA
Russell Coutts 1992 Perth, Australia
Chris Dickson 1991 Hamilton, Bermuda
Peter Gilmour 1990 Auckland, New Zealand
Chris Dickson 1989 Lymington, United Kingdom
Chris Dickson 1988 Perth Australia
* In 2006 the Tour became the ISAF World Championship.
8 MR360° May 2012
PINDAR: The Way To SuccessAndrew Pindar, Principal of three times world championship winning Team GAC Pindar,
talks to Rupert Holmes about his sponsorship of sailing and the Alpari World Match Racing Tour.
COVER STORY PINDAR
MR360° May 2012 9
Joining the Alpari World Match Racing Tour
“As someone involved in sponsoring the world of sailing I was invited to an event at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in London that was organised by the previous owners of the AWMRT. They approached professional sailing, and the value it can bring to sponsors, in a more professional way than I’d seen in offshore racing. You really had the feeling the AWMRT understood the business dynamic of giving value back to the teams and their sponsors.”
“I then had the luxury of being invited to the St Moritz Match Race as a guest of UBS, one of the sponsors at the time. It’s a fantastic event and there were some absolutely fabulous sailors competing. I already knew one of them, America’s Cup sailor Peter Holmberg, who was also a great friend of Mike (Moose) Sanderson who was sailing an Open 60 with Team Pindar at the time and who had travelled to Switzerland with me.”
“The skill, emotion and adrenaline in the dial-up and pre-start really got my heart racing – the action that was taking place right in front of my eyes was incredible. While we were there Peter introduced me to Ian Williams, saying: ‘He’s potentially the next biggest thing in match racing.”
“Ian had just given up his life as a corporate lawyer to do this full time, so I thought: ‘That’s somebody who’s showing commitment and belief in his own ability,’ and I negotiated a deal with him. Since then, Ian has won the world title three times in the last five years.”
Andrew Pindar has sponsored sailing for more than 30 years and there are few people in the field with more knowledge: “Over the years, having participated in offshore to inshore events, from 65ft yachts to small boats, we’ve been
involved in every aspect of sailing sponsorship, with teams, individuals, men, women and mixed crews. We got involved in part because we like the sport of sailing, but we remain involved because it creates business opportunity for us.”
Business value“The leverage of our dollar in the AWMRT gives us a fabulous
return – as a sponsor it’s fantastic to be involved with something that’s so highly visible and well known, travels round the world and yet has costs that are under control, which is so important in today’s economic climate.”
“The strength of the Tour events is that sponsors know they can leverage off each other – with the AWMRT the value of the whole is much greater than the sum of the parts. A good example of this is the STENA Match Cup Sweden. Although based in Dubai, our partner GAC (which is involved in shipping and logistics) is Swedish owned and STENA is a Swedish shipping company.”
“Our involvement with the Tour means the senior management of both companies know each other – it’s great reinforcement and an incredible event for us. Of course we’re really hoping that Ian will retain his title here, but whether we win or lose just attending the event is fantastic. There’s business being done, you’re meeting with like-minded people and the competition is fast, furious and fair.”
“For other companies involved in the AWMRT, there is great opportunity for them to derive more business and look for opportunity through the contacts that are made at events and all the publicity generated by the Tour.”
“GAC has a big presence in south-east Asia, especially Malaysia and Singapore, so that the last Monsoon Cup, they were winning a world title in their own backyard. The media coverage for that carried on for hour after hour and day after day – there was so much we gave up counting the print and broadcast exposure in Malaysia. That one event, for the nature of GAC’s business, probably covered the cost of the whole of the Tour that year.”
“We’re particularly excited that Alpari has come on board as title sponsor – it raises the profile of the Tour further and brings more value back to the other sponsors. The sport of sailing allows sponsors to be bigger fish in smaller ponds – I would certainly recommend it to any company that’s new to sponsorship, but you must engage a proper PR company and sports marketing agency – it’s vital to activate and leverage your campaign.”
About GAC PindarThe company is pushing hard to become established as the place
to go for moving anything to do with the marine sport and leisure industry, whether containers, yachts or simply refuelling superyachts. It benefits from Pindar’s extensive knowledge of the boating and superyacht worlds and GAC’s fabulous global infrastructure.
COVER STORY PINDAR
by RUPERT HOLMES
10 MR360° May 2012
MONEY MATTERS
2011 Tour Champion Ian Williams (centre) collects his prize from Ivan Kovac (left),Product Marketing at Lotus and Alpari World Match Racing Tour Sales Director, Matthew Strachan (right).
WILLIAMS DRIVEN TO SUCCEED ONCE AGAIN
MR360° May 2012 11
MONEY MATTERS
Ian Williams, the reigning and three-time ISAF Match Racing World Champion has taken delivery of a new Lotus Evora S/IPS, a prize he is awarded with for winning the 2011 Alpari World Match Racing Tour.
Williams fought off intense pressure from his nearest rivals to capture the World Championship on the penultimate day of the 2011 season and looked just as eager to get behind the wheel of his new Lotus as he does to get behind the steering of a match racing boat. After being handed the keys, he promptly took the car for some practice laps around Lotus’ test circuit before heading onto the open road.
Sat proudly on the bonnet of his new Lotus at Lotus Cars Global Headquarters in Hethel, UK, Williams said: “The World Championship title is what every sailor strives for but this is certainly some welcome icing on the cake. It was an incredibly tough season when no single team, all of them world class, dominated so to come out on top and claim our third title was a defining moment in our sailing careers.”
“We’re now fully focussed on the season ahead – it’s just a shame I can’t drive my Lotus Evora to all the regattas!”
Lotus is the new Performance Automotive Partner to the Alpari World Match Racing Tour, and the Lotus Evora S/IPS collected by Williams is one of the marquee models in a new line of performance cars being launched by the iconic car brand.
As the world’s leading professional sailing series with events in Asia, North America and Europe, the deal with Lotus adds yet more spice to the race to claim the ISAF Match Racing World Championship.
James Pleasance, Executive Director of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour, commented: “Lotus represents outstanding performance, prestige, leading-edge technology and design and a touch of glamour which are all ingrained in the Tour and the wider sport of sailing. This agreement is a further clear indication that the Alpari World Match Racing Tour and its development plan appeals to major global brands and the Tour looks forward to working closely with Lotus to integrate the brand across all the events.”
“We’re now fully focussed on the season
ahead – it’s just a shame I can’t drive my Lotus Evora to
all the regattas!”
MR360° May 2012 13
New Zealand’s William Tiller successfully overcame a spirited challenge from Australia’s David Gilmour to take victory in the Korea Match Cup, booking his team a spot in the Alpari World Match Racing Tour event which takes place May 29 - June 3.
The young Kiwi will now join compatriots Laurie Jury and Phil Robertson in competing for ISAF Match Racing World Championship points at the second event of the year, hoping to build on a very respectable 5th place at the 2011 end-of-season finale, the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia.
The skipper, who is 18th in the ISAF Match Racing World Rankings said: “The Korea Match Cup Qualifier win has set us up nicely for the season and we now have a month back in New Zealand to work on a few areas of our game before the exciting challenge of competing in the Korea event against the world’s best match racers.
“With a strong breeze, confined racing area and incoming tide, racing in the qualifier final was tough but the team coped very well with the challenge, pushing the boat around the course.”
Byeongki Park lost to David Gilmour in the semi-final but will join William Tiller in the main event as top Korean qualifier.
Tiller earns entry to 2012 Korea Match Cup
THAT WINNING FEELING: Full Metal Jacket, winners of Korea Qualifier 2012..
NEWS TILLER WINS KOREA QUALIFIER
14 MR360° May 2012
NEWS MALAYSIAN MATCH RACING CIRCUIT
CHARTING A NEW COURSE
GOING FORWARD: The Navy team in action at their home ground in Lumut.
MR360° May 2012 15
NEWS MALAYSIAN MATCH RACING CIRCUIT
The first step is always the hardest to take, but Malaysia have embarked on a journey which they hope will benefit match racers in that country.
The introduction of the Malaysian Match Racing Circuit (MMRC) which kicked off in May will see three events staged around the country with the overall winner of the circuit gaining entry to the prestigious final and deciding leg of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour (AWMRT), the Monsoon Cup.
The MMRC is sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and AWMRT.
The idea of a match racing circuit was mooted two years ago following the success of the Malaysian Match Racing Championship and Asian Match Racing Championship – qualifiers for the Monsoon Cup – to encourage young, upcoming local sailors to compete in professional match racing championships
The MMRC in essence will replace the one-off Malaysian qualifiers which were usually staged a month or two before the Monsoon Cup.
There will be a minimum cash prize RM15,000 per event with the overall winners of the circuit having the chance to sail alongside world
match-racing champions at the Monsoon Cup and earn a minimum prize money of RM50,000.
Director of T-Best Events and Vice President of Malaysia Yachting Assocaition, Dato’ Wan Hisham Wan Salleh said: “The MMRC is the answer to the future of sailing in Malaysia as it is the next step in developing the progress of young sailors who are forced to retire early due to the lack of keelboat events.”
“The MMRC will start off with three venues first and as we progress, we hope that other states will join in next year to create a bigger and better circuit.”
“The MMRC is the answer to the future of sailing
in Malaysia.”
THREE OF THE BEST: The top three teams with their prizes after the inaugural Malaysia Match Racing Circuit in Lumut.
PRESS TALK: Dato’ Wan Hisham explains to the media the importance of having the MMRC.
11 – 13 May 2012Royal Malaysian Naval Base, Tg. Muroh, Lumut, Perak
29 June – 1 July 2012Marina Jabatan Laut, Pulau Indah, Klang, Selangor
20 – 23 September 2012Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort & Spa,Pulau Duyong, Terengganu
MMRC 2012 Calendar
16 MR360° May 2012
Sam Osborne showed just what she is made of when she won the Baltic Lifejackets New Zealand Women’s Keelboat National Championship 2012 recently.
Showing great determination and tactical awareness, Osborne piped Joy Adams by a point, to take home the coveted crown with 15 points. Adams had 16 points while Danielle Bowater finished third with 26 points.
Winners were spread throughout the fleet with five crews gaining a first place in the competition, ensuring the championship would only be decider on the final day of action.
Consistency and great crew work in trying conditions was the key to winning for Sam Osborne, Taylor Holland, Paige Cook, Raynor Smeal, Simone Locke, Carla Holgate and Hannah Morris.
Osborne said “I’m sailing with some of my favourite people in the world. We had an awesome regatta, lots of fun and managed to keep our cool. We had some really bad situations and it was fantastic how we pulled it together and recovered so well.”
“We really enjoy sailing in the Farr MRX fleet and it is so good to see lots of the girls coming out of the woodwork for the regatta. Our lowest point was hitting the mark and another boat during the last race, but with some great crew work even that wasn’t so bad.”
Adams who came second this year was really pleased her team – Celia Sneddon, Lynda Rae, Jan Shearer, Emma Hendy, Leah Fanstone, Wendy Faulkner and Stephanie Allen – surpassed last year’s results, saying:
“This year we had some fantastic weather, big wind shifts, no wind, and too much wind. Great downwind sailing with a few ‘chinese’ gybes. It has just been a crazy weekend and a fantastic regatta. It was great to get both days racing instead of last year where we only managed one day.”
Osborne pips Adams to take New Zealand crown by MELANIE BENTON
“It has just been a crazy weekend and a fantastic regatta.”
NEWS NEW ZEALAND WOMEN’S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
ON THE MORNING OF THE FIRST DAY: Crew left to right Keryn McMaster, Lissy Masfen, Rosie Sargisson (rear), Danielle Bowater - skipper (front), Loretta Maloney, Georgina Hill, Hannah Osborne.
Sailing to the finish line to win the title.
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WEWANTYOU!
18 MR360° May 2012
PLACES GERMANY
LAKE CONSTANCE
MR360° May 2012 19
PLACES GERMANY
The eyes of the world will be on Langenargen by Eberhard Magg
20 MR360° May 2012
The Alpari World Match Racing Tour flags off this month in Langenargen, Germany with several world champions hoping for a perfect start to what promises to be an exciting season.
Four-time world champion Peter Gilmour, a three-time winner of this event, will be leading the charge as Match Race Germany celebrates its 15th anniversary with style and grace.
The introduction of Porsche as a new partner for Match Race Germany has certainly helped rev up interest in this year’s event and although Porsche is new to the sailing brand family, it is a brand of excellence.
The luxury automobile giant will display all its new models such as the 911, the Boxster, the Cayman R in red, the Panamera and the Cayenne. The cars will be on display in Langenargen and all across the race village and can be admired by the public at the 15th anniversary of Match Race Germany.
“We have grown healthily over the past 15 years on our way to be regarded as one of the leading Match Racing events in the world,” said organiser Harald Thierer.
“To achieve this, our partners contributed with their services, their confidence and their ideas. We are very proud that now a legendary company such as Porsche uses Match Race Germany as high-quality communications platform.”
PLACES GERMANY
HERITAGE: The Montfort Castle is an imposing sight which greets visitors to Langenargen. It also gives a perfect view of Lake Constance where the Match Race Germany is being held.
WISHING YOU LUCK: Spectators follow the action from the dockside.
MR360° May 2012 21
PLACES GERMANY
Organiser and sports director Eberhard Magg said: “We have a tremendously exciting field of competitors: Experienced veterans to compete against explosive talented young and rising stars. We are delighted that Karol Jablonski is back after such a long break. He is always extremely motivated, pushes his crew to the limit.”
“The same can be said about the four-time world champion Peter Gilmour of Australia, who intends to score his fourth victory (here). I can guarantee that our fans and spectators will be able to observe interesting, tense and spectacular duels close to Langenargen’s shores.”
The FieldPierre-Antoine Morvan (Vannes Angglo Sailing Team), FranceBjorn Hansen (Mekonomen Sailing Team), SwedenKeith Swinton (Black Swan Racing), AustraliaPhil Robertson (WAKA Racing), New ZealandPeter Gilmour (YANMAR Racing), AustraliaLaurie Jury (Kiwimatch Sailing Team), New ZealandStaffan Lindberg (Alandia Sailing Team), FinlandSimone Ferrarese (Ferrarese Sailing Team), ItalyEric Monnin (Team Okalys Corum), SwitzerlandJoachim Aschenbrenner (Team Trifork), DenmarkKarol Jablonski (Team Jablonski), PolandJan-Eike Andresen (NRV team), Hamburg, Germany
A GRAND VIEW: All the action takes place just metres from the shore.
RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET: A spectator watches the race on Lake Constance.
22 MR360° May 2012
PLACES SOUTH KOREA
GYEONGGI PROVINCEJeongok Harbour
MR360° May 2012 23
PLACES SOUTH KOREA
A true festivalof water by Bin Yim
24 MR360° May 2012
PLACES SOUTH KOREA
Jeongok Harbour has been the host sitefor the Korea Match Cup since the inaugural year of 2008, and visitor numbers have been growing exponentially each year, hitting a peak with more than 120,00 visitors last year.
A key factor to the event’s popularity is the uniqueness of the Korea Match Cup which is held in conjunction with the Korea International Boat Show (KIBS), making the month of June in Jeongok Harbour a true festival of the water.
More than just a simple sporting event
Tens of thousands of local and international visitors flock to this otherwise quaint village of Jeongok Harbour to enjoy the yachtsmanship of some sixty of the world’s top sailors and also to view the wonderful boat craftsmanship on display at the Korea International Boat Show.
The Korea International Boat Show has become the flagship marine leisure industry exhibition in Northeast Asia since its inaugural year of 2008. More than 960 exhibitors and 800,000 visitors have flocked to the exposition over the past four years, thereby confirming the growth potential of Korea’s boat and yacht industry.
Jeongok Harbour has been developed according to a carefully thought-out plan as part of the West Coast developmental project (Seongam Marine Tourism Zone). Jeongok marina boasts sea and land moorings for some 633 yachts that can be used year round regardless of tide or weather. Works are also underway to house deluxe lodging facilities, cultural spaces and other convenience facilities, which will transform the area into a marine leisure tourism hot spot in South Korea.
Dazzling natural setting Jeongok Harbour showcases dazzling natural surroundings
comprising of the beautiful West Sea and also Jebudo Island and Nuesom Island. Jebudo Island has become a favorite sightseeing spot for Seoulites, given the proximity from the metropolitan city of Seoul. People also refer to Jebudo Island as a fantasy island as one can witness ‘the Miracle of Moses’ with the sea parting and creating a path leading to the island twice a day during the low tides. The exposed foreshore, which remains accessible for six hours until it is submerged by the tide, appears at a different time each day. Other notable sights to see on the island are the Maebawi (falcon rock) that serves as roost for local falcons, and a 2.5 km beach that is dotted with clamshells.
During the race event, visitors will have opportunities to experience race yacht and motorboat rides along with a host other activities like face painting and pick the race winner pool.
PATRIOTIC: Kim Moon Soo, Governor of Gyeonggi Province listens to the South Korean national anthem.
ALL HANDS ON DECK: Team Italia in action during the Pro-Am.
MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Singing troupes entertaining visitors.
MR360° May 2012 25
PLACES SOUTH KOREA
Seafood delightsAs befitting a small fishing town, there are seafood places
galore, catering to your seafood palette. The area excels in the quality and variety of its seafood including raw fish and clams. There is also a small fish market for visitors to make their seafood purchases to cook at home. However, if you are looking for a meat dish, you should go into the nearby city of Hwaseong.
Getting thereJeongok Harbour can be easily reached from the capital
city of Seoul. It’s just over an hour by car. There will be shuttle buses available from Seoul as well as from nearby cities of Buchon, Incheon and Ansan. It’s also only forty five minutes driving distance from Suwon, the state capital of Gyeonggi province. Public buses are also available from Suwon train station every twenty minutes. Please refer to the website for detailed information www.koreamatchcup.com
WeatherKorea is a country with distinct four seasons and summers
can be sultry. Jeongok Harbour is no exception. Temperatures in June frequently climb into the high-20s and higher without much wind blowing. Sunglasses and sun block are must have items during the visit to Korea Match Cup.
FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD: Seafood can be found everywhere, even on a clothes line.
HAVING A KICK: Participants show off their Taekwondo skills.
26 MR360° May 2012
PLACES SWEDEN
MARSTRAND
MR360° May 2012 27
PLACES SWEDEN
Rupert Holmes explores the venue forthe STENA Match Cup Sweden – a glorious archipelago, with a grandstand view of the racing, activities for everyone and a rich cultural history.
A place where royalty play
28 MR360° May 2012
VENUE MARSTRAND
Sixty of the world’s top sailors, plus around 150,000 spectators, flock to the picturesque Swedish archipelago village of Marstrand in July each year for the STENA Match Cup Sweden,
making it one of the country’s largest sporting events. A key to the event’s impressive popularity is that racing takes place
in a superb natural amphitheatre – the slopes around the fjord provide numerous elevated vantage points from which to get a bird’s eye view of the action, which takes place just a few metres off the shore.
Irresistible appealThe appeal of this event goes far beyond the top-level competition on
the water. The town’s small size belies its importance as a summer vacation paradise for Swedes and a playground for the royal family. As a result, there’s a fantastic range of culinary and cultural experiences on offer, as well entertainment for all ages, from creatively designed playgrounds to a buzzing and vibrant nightlife.
The island has many beaches and nature walks, plus a large mix of history and culture that dates right back to stone age caves. The most obviously striking feature, however, is the 17th century fortress that took more than 200 years to complete. At the time it was one of Europe’s strongest maritime defence facilities, with massive stone walls that contrast starkly with the beautiful and traditional wooden architecture of the town below.
During the event lots of additional activities are put on for visitors, including a sailing school with taster sessions and a children’s activity area. For youngsters who can already sail there’s also a youth sailing Junior Cup that runs alongside the event.
by RUPERT HOLMES
SUN, SEA AND BABES: Residents enjoying the sunshine at the venue.
FAMILY TIME: A great day out for all the family.
MR360° May 2012 29
PLACES SWEDEN
Culinary delightsAs befits a resort of the standing of Marstrand, there’s a wide choice
of places to eat, catering for all possible tastes. While a wide range of excellent meat dishes is available at the numerous cafes and restaurants, the area excels in the quality and variety of its seafood, including crayfish, lobster and much more.
Much of Marstrand’s wealth in the middle ages was generated by the herring industry and it’s still pickled in the traditional manner, with a wide choice of exotic seasonings and spices. For many first-time visitors this is an unexpected and welcome delicacy.
Getting thereDespite its ‘get away from it all’ ambience, Marstrand is easily reached
– it’s just 40 minutes by road from Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city and there’s a regular bus service.
There’s also a wide range of accommodation for those who opt to stay locally. The Grand Hotel Marstrand, for instance, was built in 1892 to cater for wealthy summer tourists including King Oscar II and offers a traditional top-quality experience. The Marstrands Havshotell occupies a prime location on the outer quay, directly overlooking the fjord and benefits from a top-notch spa. The more adventurous can stay at Kurs Pater Noster, the old lighthouse keepers’ houses, or within the walls of the castle itself.
WeatherForget about any pre-conceptions you may have about Scandinavia
being a cold location. Winters may be harsh, but mid-summer is a different matter – afternoon temperatures frequently climb into the mid-20s and higher, while the sun doesn’t set until after 10pm. It all combines to create a glorious mid-summer experience.
VANTAGE POINT: Sailing enthusiasts know where to find the best spots.
STRAIGHT OFF THE SEA: Fresh seafood awaits visitors to Marstrand.
30 MR360° May 2012
Helping Winners Win
Travel Places is one of the UK’s leading sports team travel agencies. To find out how we can make dramatic savings on your annual travel expenditure, whether ateam, a supplier or an individual travelling to an event, call one of our dedicated sales managers on +44 (0)1903 832888 or e-mail: [email protected]
www.travelplaces.co.uk
Travel Places is a division of American Express Europe Ltd
At Travel Places we understand the needs of professional sports people. Our long association with some of the top names in sport means that we are constantly striving to make our service better and more accessible to you.
Yachting quite often brings with it difficulties in timings, locations and required flexibility.
You may need to fly to Nice, drive a boat to St Tropez, fly on to an event in Corsica and then return to London. We have an expectation of this and understand that itineraries are rarely easy. We will work on getting you the best connections, with the most flexibility at the best price. No request is too small and we are dedicated to providing a seamless service at every turn.
We have provided a basic guide to some of the bigger events as they approach and this will be updated regularly. We have tried to give you a guide price for flights, accommodation and car hire so that you can work your budget out accordingly.
MR360° May 2012 31
NEWS OLYMPICS
World sailor of the year Anna Tunnicliffe of the United States stayed top of the women’s ranking after a brilliant victory at the ISAF Grade 1 Semaine Olympique Francaise in Hyeres, France.
The American has dominated the rankings since 7th September 2011 and capped a perfect start to the year by also claiming an Olympic spot after winning the 2012 US Olympic Team Qualifying Regatta in early May.
In the US Olympic qualifier, Tunnicliffe (Team Maclaren) defeated Sally Barkow
(Team 7) in the first-to-six-wins final match-up to earn a ticket to the London Olympics.
“We knew it was going to be a good day going into it,” said Tunnicliffe moments after reaching the dock. “The weather wasn’t spectacular, but we were glad to be out there.”
The Olympic Sailing Regatta will be held 27 July - 12 August, in Weymouth and Portland, located on the southern coast of England, approximately 120 miles southwest of London.
Tunnicliffe will be hoping to maintain
her position on the world ranking before the Olympics, but has to be wary of Britain’s Lucy Macgregor, who is just 36 points behind her in second place.
Australia’s Olivia Price continues her march up the Women’s Rankings at a rate of knots and moves up to a personal best of world No. 9. The Australian has been showing good consistency in 2012 with a number of podium finishes and following a ninth place in the big Hyeres winds she breaks into the top 10 for the first time.
Tunnicliffe retains top spot
TOP OF THE WORLD: Tunnicliffe has retained her status as the best women match racer and will be going to the Olympics after winning the US Olympic trials.
32 MR360° May 2012
EXCLUSIVE! RULE CHANGES CONFIRMED FOR 2012 ALPARI WORLD MATCH RACING TOUR
MOVING THE GOALPOSTS
All professional games evolve to find that right balance between what’s right for the athletes, for the officials, and for the spectators, and the Alpari World Match Racing Tour has just taken a major shift in that evolution.
The Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) have not undergone any major revision for about 15 years, yet this month the Tour will be allowing teams to use moves that previously would have brought them penalties from the match umpires. And even the penalties themselves have been reduced in their severity in an effort to keep the match close despite rules infractions.
For the fleet and match racer alike, these changes will seem profound: marks can be hit now by a boat’s sails or rigging (but not the crew or the hull); a leeward boat is no longer constrained by its proper course, and now has more power over the windward boat; a boat moving backwards using sails no longer must keep clear; inside the mark zone a luffing boat now is less prone to get a penalty for forcing the opposing boat to keep clear; kinetic propulsion is now allowed when tacking or gybing; and pumping is also allowed unless signaled to the contrary.
“The lead boat will not want to gybe
now until close to the layline to the finish or
the bottom mark.”
MR360° May 2012 33
EXCLUSIVE! RULE CHANGES CONFIRMED FOR 2012 ALPARI WORLD MATCH RACING TOUR
POINTS OF DISCUSSION: Race Officials going over the finer points of the rules with a competitor.
NOT A HAPPY CAMPER: Ian Williams (right) upset over a rule call.
These changes will allow more aggression between teams in the match during mark roundings and starts, and give the trailing boat more power to catch and attempt to pass the lead boat on downwind legs.
Double penalties were deemed too punitive and too subjective, and when applied invariably ended the match, so now they are reduced in severity to red flag penalties, meaning when applied the offending team must do their penalty turn immediately. This new policy will leave the offending boat, once exonerated, a greater opportunity to get back into the match.
Another change is to limit the redress requests from teams that may impede the progress of the racing schedule. Officials are also given more power to intervene when there are procedural problems in the match without taking the extra time needed for a redress hearing.
“I think these changes are indeed game-changers,” says reigning World Match Race Champion Ian Williams. “It will take a little time to test these with the umpires, but I can already envision some interesting scenarios. The downwind legs, for example, will now heavily favor the left side in most conditions, where the lead boat will not want to gybe now until close to the layline to the finish or the bottom mark.”
“And the new rule allowing you to exonerate a penalty quickly by passing astern of your opponent is interesting, but the boats need to be close together when the decision comes from the umpires, which is not often the case.”
But Williams has mixed feelings about the limitations on red flag hearings for redress. “It is good to not encourage any delays in the game, but the competitors need to have a method for holding the Race Committee to account.”
Nonetheless, Tour officials think these are a positive start towards improving the game for all parties.
by DOBBS DAVIS
MR360° May 2012 33
34 MR360° May 2012
NEWS HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA
TWITTERSAND TWEETS
THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
IN MATCH RACING
by Dobbs Davies
MR360° May 2012 35
NEWS HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA
Those of us over 40 won’t understand what all the excitement is about in the use of social media.
We have not grown up with an electronic umbilical cord attached to the web, and ‘Friends’ are those who we ‘Like’ to spend time with, either on the phone or in person.
We don’t live with an eye constantly poised to view a screen, nor are we programmed to respond instantly to the bings and bongs of smartphone tones. Our communications are more one-on-one than collective.
Yet we can’t escape the reality that the younger generation does live this way, and coming generations will do the same. Which helps explain why one in eight people on the planet use Facebook.
Placed in the context of match racing, how can teams and events take advantage of this?
“The goal of social media is to build relationships with your sponsors and your audience,” says Jennifer Languille, an expert in use of social media in sailing as the social media manager of Seahorse Magazine and the same for the Miami stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race. “And the challenge is to start off on the right foot to develop a coherent strategy to achieve that.”
Languille adds the best way to do this is to think outside your box as a competitive sailor
or organiser who is completely immersed in your business of winning races or organising them. Think of how to explain and promote what you do to a family member or friend who has a mild interest… but needs to be enticed to hear more.
“The content should be almost like a reality show where the mundane details of life are used to get the audience to relate to the characters. Make it personal: give them some funny stories about experiences you’ve encountered, but not always related to sailing, like little details of what it’s like to be on the road all the time.”
These make you seem like a real person, not just a name on a press release or result sheet. In this regard social media stands in contrast to ‘official media’ that is produced, packaged and delivered to convey news and/or a finely-tuned message about the teams or the event which is why it’s a popular alternative.
Languille says this is important to remember, because you don’t want to deliver the same messages. In an event that has lots of images provided, only post sailing photos or behind-the-scenes images that are say something that the official media would not capture.
“Another golden rule in social media is to be yourself because that’s what people want to hear. It may take a little time, but develop your own voice. This authenticity is what will appeal to your fans.”
But don’t make it too personal. Keep out of non-professional topics like social
exploits, night life, or personal opinions critical of others
that may offend. There’s an important
balance between the professional and personal. Another advice is that when posting videos, keep
them short.
by DOBBS DAVIS
INFORMATION OVERLOAD: Managing your social media strategy is a key skill for events and teams.
“The goalof social media is
to build relationshipswith your sponsorsand your audience.”
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36 MR360° May 2012MATCH RACING 360° | AUGUST 2011 page | 2
TORVAR MIRSKY, SAIL RACING TEST TEAM 2011
www.sailracing.com
SWEDEN | AUSTRALIA | BELGIUM | FINLAND | JAPAN | HOLLAND | NEW ZEALAND | NORWAY | SPAIN
MR360° May 2012 37
NEWS CPH DENMARK
In the land of fairytales, Johnie Berntsson provided the perfect ending to cap a memorable CPH May Days grade 2 event staged off Skovshoved Harbor just north of Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Swede, who overcame an upset loss to female sailor Camilla Ulrikkeholm in the early rounds, defeated Bjorn Hansen 3-2 in the final to claim the inaugural title of an event many are calling a ‘fun but tough competition’.
Rasmus Viltoft who doubled up as an organiser and competitor, was delighted with the success of the event, explaining: “Many of us sail at great events all over the world and it is a terrific experience, but I felt that there was also space for something a bit more ‘stripped down’ something where sailors could eyeball each other on the water and then everyone could enjoy the social element in the harbour.
“At the same time this format makes it easier to host higher graded events without a huge burden, hopefully we will see more competitions every year. Additionally at many events there is a lot of focus on guests and the media but that makes is rather difficult to ‘hugge’.”
Hugge is a Danish word that is rather tricky to explain but essentially it is a shared sense of cosines, togetherness, sense of ease,
wellbeing and, as Rasmus points out, it is a state not easily attained with cameras and canapés being waved around.
“However, as well as the social element we wanted to find a balance where Johnie, Bjorn and Staffan (Lindberg) and the like wanted the challenge but that there was also opportunity for some of the younger crews to have a go at them.
Hansen’s crew had an excellent event only losing 3:2 to Berntsson in an unremitting final.
There is a general drive to run more events of this level in Denmark as put by Royal Danish Yacht Club member Gordon Smith: “Match Racing is part of Danish Sailing’s DNA and the event Rasmus has run here is a great model for developing the sport.
“It is achievable, accessible and it offers sport of the highest quality. We used social media to
communicate and that was a great success. We got great reach and really super feedback. I have thoroughly enjoyed being involved and you can see that the crews and the event support team did as well. Let us have some more of this!”
The start of better things to come
TAKING IT EASY: Johnie Berntsson (Swe) and his crew after claiming victory.
“Sailors could eyeball each other on the water and then everyone could enjoy the social element in the harbour.”
38 MR360° May 2012
MR360° EXCLUSIVE LELYSTAD
LELYSTAD READY TOJOIN THEBIG LEAGUE
Lelystad is the largest municipality in the Netherlands, but a large part of that area is water and as such, it comes as to no surprise that sailing is in the residents’ genes. With approximately 3,000 berthing places, Lelystad is the biggest marina in the Netherlands. Bataviahaven (Batavia Harbor) was built and specially designed to be able to host large nautical events such as boat shows and sailing competitions.
With the infrastructure already in place, it would make perfect sense if Lelystad placed a bid to become a host venue on the Alpari World Match Racing Tour (AWMRT).
Having already hosted various world and European sailing championships and international events like the Batavia Regatta, the venue has always been earmarked as the site for sailing if the Netherlands win the bid to host the 2028 Olympics.
“To be frank, Bataviahaven and the surrounding area are made for an event like the Alpari World Match Racing Tour or any other big sailing event,” said Joop Van Diest, who is the chairman of the Bataviahaven as well as the chairman of Dutch Match Cup BV.”
“Lelystad presents itself as the capital of the sport of sailing in the Netherlands and with reason. Located near Amsterdam, the city and its harbour Bataviahaven offers the perfect venue for an event like this.”
“With the prevailing winds (southwest) it will be a man-made theatre for spectacular racing. Spectators can get close to the sailing, the area is compact and there is a lot of space for extra facilities on shore.”
“All the infrastructure is already there. We could host it next week if we wanted. But we are not looking just to host a sailing event. We are looking for a long term partnership to be able to create a legacy.”
Van Diest added that the city can handle the challenges of hosting a premier event like the AWMRT, particularly after enduring the challenge of reclaiming land from the sea.
“Another advantage is that the whole event would take place in a compact area with a lot of possibilities for hospitality and corporate activities. Sailors will stay at the venue during the whole event,” explained Van Diest.
Even the airport in Lelystad is near the harbour. It will create an atmosphere of a small temporary village specially created for a sailing event. Lots of spectators will visit the races with their own boats; all berthing places will be full.
To be short: Bataviahaven is specially made for an event like the Alpari World Match Racing Tour.
BIRD’S EYE VIEW: An aerial view of the arena where boats will do battle in Lelystad.
MR360° May 2012 39
MR360° EXCLUSIVE LELYSTAD
Van Diest’s thoughts on...
An academyThis plan is still developing. The sailing academy
we developed will use the sport of sailing to help young people to develop themselves in to high potentials, the new entrepreneurs and leaders as far as we are concerned. It takes a lot of special skills to be a top sailor.
The sailing academy will be, must be, a cooperation between Batavia Sailing Centre, schools, university and in our case the city of Lelystad and the Province.
I am convinced that the tour and their organization would give a big boost to the sailing academy worldwide as the sport is becoming more international every day. Students from the academy will be able to follow parts of their education from other places in the world. AMWRT is taking part in developing a worldwide academy which will make a big difference in realising the academy.
A Dutch team challenging for honours on the AWMRT
Team Feitsma and Den Boer Racing, the highest placed Dutch match racing teams on the international ranking list, started a special training program at Batavia Sailing Center. Their goal is to become part of the World Match Racing Tour as soon as possible. Batavia Sailing Center provides themwith boats (BLU26 like in St Moritz), trainers and other facilities. At this moment these teams will battle in the coming months to improve their skills, their teams and results. They take part in various grade 3 and grade 2 events. Only the best will enter the Alpari World Match Racing Tour and will give the tour card holders a good competition.
BIG DREAMS: Van Diest is confident Lelystad will make a perfect venue for a leg of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour.
PLENTY OF SPACE: Lelystad has 3,000 berths available for the numerous visitors who flock to the venue.
Monsoon CupTerengganu, Malaysia4 – 9 December 2012
Korea Match CupGyeonggi-do, South Korea
29 May – 3 June 2012
Stena Match Cup Sweden Marstrand, Sweden
2 – 7 July 2012
Match Race Germany Langenargen, Germany
23 – 28 May 2012
Match Race France Marseille, France
24 – 29 September 2012
St Moritz Match RaceSt Moritz, Switzerland
28 August – 2 September 2012
Argo Group Gold CupHamilton, Bermuda1 – 7 October 2012
Chicago Match Cup Chicago, United States
10 – 15 July 2012
Portimão Portugal Match CupPortimão, Algarve24 – 29 July 2012
MR360° May 2012 41
Russia’s Sergey Musikhin took the advantage of a penalty against compatriot Andrew Arbuzov to claim the Qatar Match Racing Cup 2012 with a pulsating 3-2 victory at Doha Bay recently.
Arbuzov, the world No. 21 and last year’s runner-up, led his crew to a 2-1 lead in the final. But in the third race, he had to undertake a penalty lap which allowed world 37th-ranked Musikhin to win the race to equalise the scores, setting up a grand finale to the Grade 3 event, under the banner of the Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation.
Musikhin then took the fifth race to claim the top prize of US$6,000 top prize.
Khalifa Mohd Al-Sewaidi, President Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation gave away trophies among the winners supported by Ali Nasser Telfat Secretary General, Qatar Sailing & Rowing Federation.
Khalifa thanked officials at Qatar Olympic Committee, headed by the HH Sheikh the Heir Apparent Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and HE Sheikh Soud Bin Abdul Rehman Al Thani, Secretary General, QOC for their support to Qatar Sailing & Rowing Federation and this event. He also thanked participants, International Umpires, Principal Race Office, Volunteers and Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Municipality Affairs& Departments of Coasts Guard, Harbour Control & Health and Doha Sailing Club.
NEWS QATAR MATCH RACING CUP / BEN AINSLIE
Musikhintriumphsin Qatar
Former Alpari World Match Racing Tour (AWMRT) champion Ben Ainslie was given the honour to start the 70-day relay for the Olympic torch relay around Britain.
A three-time Olympic gold medallist, Ainslie started the relay at Land’s End on May 19 and was the first of 8,000 torchbearers who will visit towns and cities throughout the country.
The 35-year-old, who was crowned match racing world champion in 2010 when he won the prestigious Monsoon Cup in Malaysia, has won gold medals for Britain at the Sydney (2000), Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008) Olympics.
He told the Daily Mail: “I am extremely honoured to be the first torchbearer at the start of the 70-day Olympic torch relay. It will be an amazing experience to be able to carry the Olympic flame in the area that I grew up in. I also want to congratulate the thousands of other inspirational people who will carry the torch this summer and bring the excitement of the Games to streets throughout the UK.”
London 2012 chairman Seb Coe was pleased to announce Ainslie as the first torchbearer, while it was also revealed that cyclist Chris Hoy will run with the torch through Manchester.
The planned route for the relay has long been in place and the torch will come within 10 miles of 95 per cent of the population before entering the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony on July 27.
Former world champion starts Olympic relay
MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THESE: Musikhin and the rest of the participants pose for a picture.
SMOKING HOT: Ainslie gets ready to start the Olympic torch relay.
42 MR360° May 2012
ABOUT TOWN KOREA QUALIFIER AWARDS NIGHT
The theme at the Korea Match Cup Awards Ceremony night, held in conjunction with the Korea Match Cup 2012 qualifier was “Fight team spirit” that created a fun night for all the participants.Among those attendance the events were, Lee Jae-Yul (Vice Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Kim Jin-Heung (vice mayor Hwaseong City, Kim Dong-Young (event partner, Korea Match Cup) and the sailors. The Korea Match Cup 2012 qualifier was won by New Zealand’s William Tiller.
Fight!Fight!
L-R: Magnus Holmberg, Gyeonggi Prorvice Vice Governor, Lee Jae-Yul, Kim Dong-Young, Event Promoter, Korea Match Cup.
One for the album at Korea Qualifier Awards Night.
MR360° May 2012 43
ABOUT TOWN KOREA QUALIFIER AWARDS NIGHT
L-R: Roy Dickson, Audrey Lakai, John Rountree, Danielle Bowater, Wee Tee Teo.
Koralev Nikolay skipper for Russian Team salute with VIPs.
Lucky Jonoh, won a Team Korea t-shirt.
MATCH RACING 360° | page 44 | May 2012 MATCH RACING 360° | page 45 | May 2012
Regatta Date starts Date ends Venue Grade
Match Race Germany 23 May 28 May Langenargen (GER) W – Alpari World Match Racing Tour
Korea Match Cup May 29 3 June Gyeonggi-do (S.KOR) W – Alpari World Match Racing Tour
Chicago Match Cup Qualifer 1 June 3 June Lake Michigan (USA) 2
Aker Brygge Match 1 June 3 June Oslo (NOR) 3
June Match Race 2 June 3 June Scarlino (ITA) 3
Volvo Match Race Cup - Geneva 2 June 3 June Geneva (SUI) 3
Navionics Match Racing Regatta 2 June 2 June Australia (AUS) 5
Youth Clinegatta West /SODA ACT lll 3 June 3 June (USA) 5
Skandia Sail For Gold Regatta 4 June 9 June Weymouth & Portland (GBR) 1
Sails of White Nights 5 June 10 June St-Petersburg (RUS) 2 – The National Congress Palace Cup
Center Cup Series Spring - Race 4 6 June 6 June Helsinki (FIN) 5
Marina Kamien Match Race 1 7 June 8 June Kamienski Bay (POL) 3
Bayview Spring Invitational 8 June 10 June Detroit (USA) 3
GRADO 3 8 June 10 June Ravenna (ITA) 3
Oakcliff ABC Midway #2 Qualifer 9 June 10 June New York (USA) 4
Marina Kamien Match Race 2 9 June 10 June Kamienski Bay (POL) 3
Campionato Nazionale Match Race Meteor Class 9 June 10 June Trasimeno (ITA) 4
Great Lakes International Challenge Cup 13 June 17 June Rochester (USA) 3 - Stolze Cup
Slovenia Match Race Cup 14 June 17 June Koper (SLO) 2
Center Cup Series Spring - Race 4 14 June 14 June Helsinki (FIN) 5
Coupe Match Racing SRR 15 June 18 June La Rochelle (FRA) 3
Parnu Sailing Week 15 June 17 June Parnu (EST) 2
Oakcliff June 16 June 16 June New York (USA) 5
Women’s Race 16 June 17 June www.kdy.dk (DEN) 3
SDYC June Invitational 16 June 17 June San Diego (USA) 5
GKSS Youth Match Cup Sweden Qualifier 2 16 June 17 June Langedrag (SWE) 5
May Day Match Race 16 June 17 June Sneekermeer (NED) 4
Turgoyak Cup 17 June 19 June Turgoyak Lake (RUS) 4
IFDS Disabled Sailing International Championships, 18 June 24 June Lovere (ITA) 4 Homerus Blind Match Racing
The Rose Cup - National Youth Match Racing Event 20 June 24 June St Petersburg (USA) 3
Match Rrace Turkish Championship 21 June 24 June Istanbul (TUR) 3
Royal Southern Academy Open Match Cup - Final 22 June 24 June Hamble (GBR) 3
Northern Lights Cup 22 June 24 June Sheboygan (USA) 3
Lyon Grand Prix Match Race 23 June 24 June Lyon (FRA) 3
MATCH RACING CALENDAR JUNE - JULY
44 MR360° May 2012
MATCH RACING 360° | page 44 | May 2012 MATCH RACING 360° | page 45 | May 2012
Regatta Date starts Date ends Venue Grade
Polish Match Tour Act 3, Wolin Match Race 23 June 24 June Wolin (POL) 4
Coppa Italia tra Regiona “leghiamoci col vento” 23 June 24 June Trapani (ITA) 5
Captain John Piper Match Racing Regatta 23 June 30 June Australia (AUS) 4
2nd Regional Qualifier 23 June 24 June Oeiras (POR) 4
ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship 25 June 30 June Gothenburg (SWE) W
O M Match Race 28 June 1 July Pieve di Ledro (ITA) 2
Malaysian Match Racing Circuit 29 June 1 July Selangor (MAS) 3 – Stage Two - Selangor
Oakcliff Summer Clinegatta 30 June 1 July New York (USA) 3
PSV Match Race 5 30 June 1 July Schleswig Holstein (GER) 4
Group EK Qualifier US Match racing Championship 30 June 1 July Detroit (USA) 4
RPNYC Winter Match Racing Regatta 30 June 1 July Wellington (NZL) 5
STENA Match Cup Sweden 2 June 7 July Marstrand (SWE) W – Alpari World Match Racing Tour
A. Paduchin Cup 4 July 8 July Turgoyak Lake (RUS) 3 –Russian Youth Match Race Championship
GKSS Youth Match Cup Sweden 6 July 8 July Langedrag (SWE) 4
Oyster Bay Youth Match Race 7 July 8 July New York (USA) 5
Chicago Match Cup 10 July 15 July Lake Michigan (USA) W – Alpari World Match Racing Tour
MATCH RACING CALENDAR JUNE - JULY
MR360° May 2012 45
46 MR360° May 2012
The top-ranked match racer in the Western Hemisphere is not a veteran of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour (yet), nor a winner of the America’s Cup (yet).
It is a young and hungry sailor from St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. Having grown up on and around the water and having his extensive experience sailing and coaching in small boats, Taylor Canfield is one of those naturally talented sailors who can step into any boat and make it win.
He got started in match racing only four years ago, when he started entering – and winning – regional qualifiers to national championships. He also won the Carlos Aguilar in his home waters of St. Thomas.
This was the first in a long strong of Grade 3 victories and podium finishes that vaulted his ISAF ranking into the top 100 in only one year. As of the May rankings this year, he’s knocking on the door of the top 20 at No. 21.
Perhaps his biggest break came in the summer of 2009 where Taylor had the opportunity to learn on the new TOM 28’s at the newly-formed Chicago Match Racing Center.
The US intercollegiate circuit had also decided to switch to match racing for its sloop championships, so Canfield then got exposed to longer, slower and heavier boats and that style of chess game match racing.
This helped him earn an impressive sixth place in his Alpari World Match Racing Tour debut at the 2010 Argo Group Gold Cup in Bermuda.
Does this presage more appearances for Canfield on the Tour?
“Absolutely, I hope so!” says the 22-year-old. “That’s the top of the game, but we would need to find some support to help us get to the venues.”
“We’re lucky to now have so many high-grade events here in the US, there’s a lot of activity and interest like the Grade 2 Grand Slam series. And this summer in Chicago the Tour will come to us. So I’m looking forward to a great season, and hopefully this will create more opportunities to go further.”
Canfield ready to make the step up
NEW BLOOD TAYLOR CANFIELD
HEADING THE RIGHT WAY: The top-ranked match racer in the Americas is Canfield, seen here in action during the Chicago Match Cup.
MR360° May 2012 47
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