Kiwis win 2022 Match Racing Worlds >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News
These are not the best days of the World Match Racing Tour. What was once a testing ground for current and aspiring America’s Cup sailors is now looking for sunlight for this special corner of the sport.
Foiling boats have little need for a touring format, as America’s Cup experience comes from high-performance one-models and the SailGP league. The tour lost momentum in the pandemic, while the relationship with Chinese money effectively turned off the lights.
While the 2020 Open Match Racing World Championship was somehow hosted in Bermuda in October and won by Taylor Canfield (USA), China’s border restrictions canceled the 2021 World Championship and nearly again in 2022 when a late switch from China to Australia allowed the championship to run. , hosted by a tour that takes place.
Up to 12 teams were invited to the 2022 World Cup competitions on 14-18 December, but when defending matchracing world champion Taylor Canfield (USA) and six-time world champion Ian Williams (GBR) declined to participate, the lower seeds eventually filled the ten race spots. Elliott 7 boats in Sydney Harbour.
At least they are assumed to be lower seeds World Sailing has not updated the international rankings since April 2020, but at that time six 2022 World Cup skippers remained in the top 25. However, Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL), who finished third 32 months ago, proved his worth for the 2022 Open Match Racing World Championship. in his first championship attempt.
After finishing fourth in the qualifying round, Egnot-Johnson dropped just one race in the Repechage, quarter-final and semi-final rounds before facing Round Robin winner Chris Poole (USA) in the final. The Kiwi and American traded wins in the first four races before Egnot-Johnson sealed victory in the decisive fifth race of the match.
Representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Egnot-Johnson’s team included Zak Merton, Sam Barnett and Bradley McLaughlin.
No announcements have yet been made about the 2023 World Match Racing Tour, although it is likely that the schedule will begin with the 58th Congressional Cup on the 18th-22nd. April 2023. As for the rest… ready.
Event Details – Crew Lists – Score
2022 World Match Racing Tour Schedule
14.–16. April – Ficker Cup – Long Beach, CA, USA
18.–23. April – Congressional Cup – Long Beach, CA, USA*
28.4.-1.5. – Szczecin Match Race – Szczecin, Poland
6.-8. May – Porto Montenegro Match Race – Tivat, Montenegro
20.-22.5. – NJK Open Spring Cup – Helsinki24.-29.5. – Island Match Cup – Puerto Rico (off)
4.-5. June – GKSS Spring Cup – Gothenburg, Sweden
16.–19. June – OM International Ledro Match Race – Ledro, Italy4.-9. July – GKSS Match Cup Marstrand – Marstrand, Sweden* (off)
12.-14. August – Chicago Grand Slam – Chicago, IL, USA
18.-21. August – International Match Race to Detroit Cup – Detroit, MI, USA
25.-29. August – Oakcliff International – Oyster Bay, NY, USA
August 30 – September 3 – Thompson Cup – Oyster Bay, NY, USA
7.-11.9. – Baltic Match Race – Tallinn, EstoniaSeptember 29 – October 3 – Match Race Germany – Langenargen, Germany (off)
30.9.–3.10. – DBS Marina Bay Cup – Marina Bay, Singapore
7-9 October – Polish Open – Szczecin, Poland17.–22. October – Bermuda Gold Cup – Hamilton, Bermuda* (off)
13.–18. December – WMRT Finals – Sydney, Australia*
* WC events
WORLD MATCH RACING TOUR
Founded in 2000, the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) promotes match racing around the world and is the longest international professional sailing series. WMRT has been awarded the sport’s World Leadership – World Sailing – Special Event status, and each year the winner of the WMRT is crowned World Sailing Champion.
Past champions include Sir Ben Ainslie (GBR), Taylor Canfield (USA), Peter Gilmour (AUS), Magnus Holmberg (SWE), Peter Holmberg (ISV), Adam Minoprio (NZL), Torvar Mirsky (AUS), Bertrand Pace (FRA ). ), Jesper Radich (DEN), Phil Robertson (NZL) and Ian Williams (GBR).
Since 2000, the World Match Racing Tour and its events have awarded more than $23 million in prize money to sailors, helping to advance the career paths of many of today’s professional sailors. www.wmrt.com