A shifty breeze tests World Match Racing Teams on the first day of the Danish Open
The first day of the Danish Open (Stage 5 of the World Match Racing Tour) saw 12 crews from seven countries take to the waters off the Jutlandic peninsula. With a shifty breeze that blew off the land at up to 22 knots, the teams were tested to the max.
The morning session saw six teams compete against one another, including Ian Williams (GBR), Sebastien Col (FRA), Magnus Holmberg (SWE), Torvar Mirsky (AUS), Mads Ebler (DEN) and Andrew Arbuzov (RUS).
Briton Ian Williams ended the day 4-1 with his match against Torvar Mirsky his only loss.
Mirsky finished the day with a disappointing 2-3: “We made two or three key mistakes which really hurt us. Being shown the penalty flag five times didn’t really help either but we felt we sailed well and are confident that we can bounce back tomorrow.”
The afternoon session saw the other six take to the water: Mathieu Richard (FRA), Bjorn Hansen (SWE), Adam Minoprio (NZL), Peter Wibroe (DEN), Jesper Radich (DEN) and Johnnie Berntsson (SWE). After only 3 flights in the afternoon session it is hard to see who is emerging as front runners, but the 2007 Finalists Jesper Radich and Peter Wibroe are both looking to make a repeat appearance in the finals this year.
With a further 14 flights left in the Round Robin the standings are pretty wide open but that will soon change as the teams compete for the four places in the semi-finals.
Standings After Day 1:
Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar 4-1
Sebastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/K Challenge 3-2
Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge 3-2
Mads Ebler (DEN) Team AWL Grip 2-3
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 2-3
Andrew Arbuzov (RUS) 1-4
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team/Team French Spirit 2-1
Peter Wibroe(DEN) Wibroe Sailing Team 2-1
Adam Minoprio (NZL) Emirates Team New Zealand/BlackMatch Racing 2-1
Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team 1-2
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Alandia Sailing Team 1-2
Johnnie Berntsson (SWE) 1-2
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