Lengthy Seashore, CA (April 14, 2022) – It didn’t take however an immediate for Ficker Cup rivals to get their sport on, on the primary day of racing for the Ficker Cup trophy and a berth in subsequent week’s Congressional Cup. The eight groups from the US, Sweden, and Denmark got here out swinging, as cool breezes buffeted the waters off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier.
Within the first half of at present’s races, 4 skippers seemed to comb the pack – Jeppe Borch (DEN), Emil Kjaer (DEN), Jeffery Petersen (USA), and Peter Holz (USA) – however quickly the leaderboard shuffle started.
Dave Perry (USA) upset Holz; then Holz beat Borch, after the Danish group drew a foul and pink flag stipulating the penalty flip needed to be achieved instantly. Christopher Weis (USA) received on the scoreboard with wins over Petersen and Anna Östling (SWE), whereas David Wooden (USA) warmed as much as two wins late within the day.
It was final yr’s Ficker Cup champion, Kjaer, who completed the day on prime, undefeated after the fleet accomplished the primary spherical robin, and dipped into the second whereas the breeze held.
“That is undoubtedly certainly one of our best Ficker Cup fields in historical past,” mentioned Chairman Bob Piercy concerning the Grade 2 occasion based in 1980 to honor yacht racing icon Invoice Ficker. “So far as the expertise and rating factors of our rivals, we’re excessive: simply on the verge of a Grade 1. And I really like the actual fact we’ve the 2 extremes so far as age and expertise are thought of. It’ll be an attention-grabbing regatta!”
The sphere certainly spanned younger and outdated; Ficker Cup veterans and newbies; and for some the training curve was steep for the primary occasion of the 2022 World Match Racing Tour.
Anna Östling (SWE) who ended the day 0-8, was happy to be within the discipline. “We have now tried to get right here a number of instances, however various things have gotten in the best way — like infants coming,” she added with fun. “We’ve heard a lot about Lengthy Seashore Yacht Membership and the occasion and have been keen to return. Our Swedish hero Johnnie Berntsson (2009 Congressional Cup champion) has raced right here for years, and has been very type in serving to us put together. So we predict we’re as prepared as we will be.”
Nonetheless, Östling identified, “it’s a brand new boat for us, a much bigger boat, and fairly heavy, and a brand new venue.”
Her group WINGS competes efficiently within the Ladies’s World Match Racing circuit and Östling is the No. 2-ranked feminine skipper on this planet. Sometimes crusing with a crew of 5 aboard 28-foot Fareast keelboats, they’ve added two Individuals for racing the larger Catalina 37s right here.
“Our objective is to get to know the boat as shortly as potential and develop the group collectively. It’s a unique sport plan, and teamwork might be very essential, however we’re excited to be right here and looking out ahead to good days forward.”
On the opposite finish of the spectrum is Perry: no newcomer to the Catalina 37 boat and Ficker Cup racing. To go with somebody’s experience, the widespread phrase ‘they wrote the e-book’ is usually a figurative assertion, however within the case of Dave Perry – it’s literal. Perry penned the NORTH U MATCH RACING PLAY BOOK, now in its fourth version.
Perry was a severe racer in his early years, profitable the Congressional Cup in 1983 and 1984 whereas he campaigned for the 1984 Olympic Video games. “After that I stepped away from crusing, except the approaching out for the Congressional Cup annually.” In 2006 he reemerged, desperate to give attention to match racing. He’s a five-time US Match Racing Champion, saying “it’s enjoyable, and helps hold me younger.”
Sarcastically, in his position as match racing coach, Perry is dealing with a number of of his protégés on the racecourse this weekend: Petersen, Wooden, Weis, and Holz. Rebounding after a sluggish morning, the grasp saved tempo with the scholars.
Racing is on April 14-16
Occasion particulars – Outcomes – Crew lists
Day One Outcomes:
2022 World Match Racing Tour Schedule
April 14-16 – Ficker Cup – Lengthy Seashore, CA, USA
April 18-23 – Congressional Cup – Lengthy Seashore, CA, USA*
April 28-Might 1 – Szczecin Match Race – Szczecin, Poland
Might 6-8 – Porto Montenegro Match Race – Tivat, Montenegro
Might 20-22 – NJK Open Spring Cup – Helsinki, FinlandMight 24-29 – Island Match Cup – Puerto Rico (cancelled)
June 4-5 – GKSS Spring Cup – Gothenburg, Sweden
June 16-19 – OM Worldwide Ledro Match Race – Ledro, ItalyJuly 4-9 – GKSS Match Cup Marstrand – Marstrand, Sweden* (cancelled)
August 12-14 – Chicago Grand Slam – Chicago, IL, USA
August 18-21 – Worldwide Match Race for the Detroit Cup – Detroit, MI, USA
August 25-29 – Oakcliff Worldwide – Oyster Bay, NY, USA
August 30-September 3 – Thompson Cup – Oyster Bay, NY, USA
September 7-11 – Baltic Match Race – Tallin, Estonia
September 29-October 3 – Match Race Germany – Langenargen, Germany
September 30-October 3 – DBS Marina Bay Cup – Marina Bay, Singapore
October 7-9 – Polish Open – Szczecin, PolandOctober 17-22 – Bermuda Gold Cup – Hamilton, Bermuda* (cancelled)
December 6-11 – Shenzhen Bao’an Match Cup: WMRT Finals – Shenzhen, China*
*World Championship (WC) Occasions
WORLD MATCH RACING TOUR
Based in 2000, the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) promotes the game of match racing all over the world and is the longest operating international skilled sequence within the sport of crusing. The WMRT is awarded ‘Particular Occasion’ standing by the game’s world governing physique – World Crusing – and the winner of the WMRT annually is topped World Crusing Match Racing World Champion.
Earlier champions embrace Sir Ben Ainslie (GBR), Taylor Canfield (USA), Peter Gilmour (AUS), Magnus Holmberg (SWE), Peter Holmberg (ISV), Adam Minoprio (NZL), Torvar Mirsky (AUS), Bertrand Tempo (FRA), Jesper Radich (DEN), Phil Robertson (NZL) and Ian Williams (GBR).
Since 2000, the World Match Racing Tour and its occasions have awarded over USD23million in prize cash to sailors which has helped to contribute to the profession pathway of lots of at present’s skilled sailors. www.wmrt.com
Supply: Betsy Senescu
