Ainslie and Percy join World Match Racing Tour

3:52 PM Mon 23 Mar 2009 GMT

'Ben Ainslie, skipper of Team Origin' &copy Juerg Kaufmann www.go4image.com Click Here to view large photo

TeamOrigin, the British challenger for the 33rd America's Cup skippered by triple Olympic Gold medallist Ben Ainslie will compete on the 2009 World Match Racing Tour having secured the final Tour Card.

Ben Ainslie (UK), helmsman, will lead a TeamOrigin crew, that also includes double Olympic Gold medallist, Iain Percy (UK), Matt Cornwell (UK) and Christian Kamp (DEN), at up to 9 match racing events around the world, starting with Match Race Germany on 27 May and culminating with the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia in December.

"Since TeamOrigin was formed there has been limited opportunity for us to sail as a team. The Tour will allow us to compete at a high level of match racing competition whilst we develop our core sailing team. We look forward to competing on the Tour this year and having a shot at the World Championship. The Tour will aid in our preparations for the next Cup as and when it happens" said Ainslie.

For Ben and Iain, better known for their phenomenal Olympic success, the World Match Racing Tour, as well as a natural stepping stone on their path to the Americas Cup, presents a new challenge for the pair and the chance to follow the progress of these talented sailors throughout the 2009 Tour is a very exciting prospect.

"With the addition of TeamOrigin to the teams competing on the Tour this year we are shaping up for a highly competitive season. The WMRT's commercial platform and television coverage will enable the team to continue racing and continue to build the team profile, as well as contributing towards the solid base they need to build a winning Americas Cup team." said Tour Director Craig Mitchell.

Highlights of WMRT shows can be seen on www.sail.tv/

Current World Match Racing Tour Leader board (top eight teams after stage one of ten):
1. Adam Minoprio (NZL) Emirates Team New Zealand/Black Match Racing, 25
2. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team/ French Team Spirit, 20
3. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team, 15
4. Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team, 12
5. Ed Baird (USA) Alinghi, 10
6. Sebastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/K-Challenge, 8
7. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Shosholoza, 6
8. Ian Williams (GBR) Bahrain Team Pindar, 4 points

About the World Match Racing Tour:
. The World Match Racing Tour is the leading professional sailing series featuring 10 World Championship events across the globe
. The World Tour is sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) with "Special Event" status
. The World Tour awards over US$1.5million in prize money
. Points are awarded at each event culminating in the crowning of the 'ISAF Match Racing World Champion'
. Events utilize the same "match race" format used in the America's Cup with racing taking place in identically supplied racing yachts which places a focuses on team work and skill. Racing takes place close to the shore for the general public to follow the races as virtual on-the-water stadiums.
. Media and television highlights coverage reaches over 600 million households in excess of 90 countries around the world.
. World Match Racing Tour sponsors include Line 7, Pindar, Custom House, Travel Places, Wedgwood and Sail.TV

by Wolrd Match Racing Tour Media

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Ainslie and Percy join World Match Racing Tour

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