Foto copyright SubZero Images/WMRT
Fuente info WMRT
Richard Fighting to Stay in the Hunt
Kuala Terengganu, 2 December 2010
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team staged a late fight back in the second Qualifying Session at the Monsoon Cup to keep his ISAF Match Racing World Championship hopes alive. A quick glance over his shoulder and the Frenchman will be encouraged to see his nearest rival Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing looking increasingly fallible.
Minoprio and Richard’s loss is proving to be TEAMORIGIN skipper, Ben Ainslie’s gain. The three-time Olympic gold medalist showed his pedigree in tricky light conditions at the Pulau Duyong. He won all his matches today, including a comprehensive victory over Richard.
Asked why he felt Richard was suffering, Ainslie said: “It’s very tough out there in these very light conditions. Mathieu would no doubt be doing better if there was a steadier breeze as it would be more about match racing. The results have been coming more from general sailing ability… it’s probably easier for dinghy sailors than some of the match racers.”
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar will be satisfied with his result today having gone unbeaten to extend his record for the regatta to 7-0. He came to the Monsoon Cup in 5th place and an outside chance of claiming a hat-trick of world titles. Results so far are playing into his hands - he will win the championship if neither Ainslie nor Minoprio finish on the podium, and Richard is knocked out before the Quarter-Finals.
History tells us that it's too soon to write off any competitors at this stage – afterall Williams won both his World Championship titles after scraping into the Quarter-Finals in 8th place…
To read more about the race to the Quarter-Finals of the Monsoon Cup, visit www.wmrt.com
