YANMAR Racing sadly lost against Bjorn Hansen (SWE) in the quarterfinal, and today we fought for the 5th through 8th ranks. The race format of this race is that the upper-level team competes against the lower-level team of the round robin. YANMAR Racing competed against Mathieu Richard (FRA) of the 6th place. The first winner can proceed to the 5th-6th place sail-off.

Unlike Mathieu Richard (FRA), YANMAR Racing could not gather speed. The breeze starting to blow stronger into the right water surface where YANMAR Racing tacked helped us gain speed. YANMAR Racing could successfully go past Richard in a short 300m course between the windward to leeward marks compared to the normal 600m+ course.

Defeating Mathieu Richard, YANMAR Racing then competed against Adam Minoprio (NZL) in the 5th-6th place sail-off. YANMAR Racing started from the port end where it would be disadvantageous when the wind is poor. Minoprio controlled all the time during the start sequence, making YANMAR Racing start from the adverse leeward. The course became anomalistic according to the wind change giving advantage to the preceding sailboat. Unfortunately YANMAR Racing could not manage to make it through and ended Korea Match Cup in the 6th place.

Max 8m of tidal range occurs around this area. Especially at the low tide, the length of the course will be shortened by the effect of the wind direction, making unexpected happenings fall on sailors. It is a combination of technique and luck for a win under soft breeze like Korea Match Cup. We would like put the lessens of this race to good use next year.

YANMAR Racing will participate in the Stage Four of the World Match Racing Tour in Portugal from June 16 through 21.

Comments of YANMAR Racing Crew

Peter Gilmour – “It was a tough race this time. I deeply regret the final result because the first two days were good, but YANMAR Racing also needs bitter experience as we compete in the racing tour. I would like to incorporate this experience in the future races.“

Yasuhiro Yaji – “There was a luck and bad luck, but the condition is the same for everyone. We need to build a team who would not dismiss it as a bad luck. YANMAR Racing has just started. Things like this may happen a lot from now on, but we would like to increase our authority to repel them.”

Thierry Douillard – “It was severe two weeks without a break starting from Germany. I am not satisfied with the results, but I think some of the races were good. It is important that we keep the condition of the early part of the matches throughout the races.”

Martin Berntsson – “I am very delighted that I could join YANMAR Racing for the first time. Usually I compete as an opponent and am sometimes beaten by YANMAR Racing. I would try my best to become a gear of the team.”

Keith Swinton – “YANMAR Racing is a team I adore. It is a supreme experience and memory for me that Peter invited me to sail with team. I am looking forward to the next opportunity to sail as a crew of YANMAR Racing and I would build strong body until then.”

Korea Match Cup Overall Results