After Yanmar Racing lost against Bjorn Hansen (SWE) in the quarterfinal of the Korea Match Cup, the team had a fight on its hands to finish as high up the ladder as possible, in the fifth through eighth places group.
The format required the higher finishing team to compete against the lower-level team of the round robin. Yanmar Racing competed against Mathieu Richard (FRA) who finished in sixth place. The winner of the match would proceed to the fifth-sixth place sail-off.
Unlike Mathieu Richard (FRA), Yanmar Racing could not find pressure. Finally the breeze came in from the right side of the course favouring Yanmar Racing. On the shortened 300 metres windward to leeward course, Yanmar Racing successfully sailed past Richard and held their position over the line.
The next opponent for Yanmar Racing was Adam Minoprio (NZL). Yanmar Racing started from the port end. However Minoprio controlled the start sequence, forcing Yanmar Racing to start from the leeward side, the least favoured option.
The breeze was patchy, with holes all over the course. Minoprio went on to win the match, which ended Yanmar Racing's Korea Match Cup. They finished in the sixth place.
A maximum tidal range of eight metres occurs around the designated Korea Match Cup racing area. Especially at low tide the length of the course is affected the wind direction, making it tough on the sailors. It is a combination of good technique and a little luck for a win under soft breezes like those at the Korea Match Cup.
Yanmar Racing will put the lessons learned this year to good use in next year's event.
Comments from the Yanmar Racing Crew.
Peter Gilmour - 'It was a tough race this time. The first two days were good; the rest not so good for us, but Yanmar Racing will face these experiences as we compete on the Match Racing Tour. We will incorporate what we have learned into future races.'
Yasuhiro Yaji - 'There was luck and bad luck, but the condition are the same for everyone. We need to build a team that will not dismiss a setback as bad luck. Yanmar Racing has just started. Things like this may happen again, but we will take the lessons we have learned, build our knowledge and grow stronger as a team.'
Thierry Douillard - 'It was a tough two weeks without a break, starting in Germany. I am not satisfied with the results, but I think some of the races were good. It is important that we keep our consistency throughout the matches.'
Martin Berntsson - 'I am very delighted that I could join Yanmar Racing for the first time. I usually compete as an opponent and am sometimes beaten by Yanmar Racing. I tried my best to be part of the team.'
Keith Swinton - 'Yanmar Racing is a team I admire. It is a great experience and memory for me that Peter invited me to sail with team. I am looking forward to another opportunity to sail as crew for Yanmar Racing.'
Korea Match Cup Overall Results
1st - Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Shosholoza 2nd - Ian Williams (GBR) Bahrain Team Pindar 3rd - Ben Ainslie (GBR) Team Origin 4th - Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Team Onboard 5th - Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 6th - Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 7th - Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing 8th - Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 9th - S?bastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/K-Challenge 10th - Laurie Jury (NZL) 11th - Philippe Presti (ITA) French Match Racing Team 12th - Byeong Ki Park (KOR)
Yanmar Racing will participate in the Stage Four of the World Match Racing Tour in Portugal from June 16 through 21.
Cape Leeuwin, WA
Kitesurfing - Accessories
Foiling - Wind Wing Foilboards
