Monday 30 May 2011

Match Race Germany: Ripper Penultimate Day for WAKA Racing


Phil Robertson, WAKA Racing, at a press conference at Match Race Germany. Image copyright Felix Kästle / MRG.

by Garth Ellingham

What a ripper of a day. We were picked this morning by Jesper Radich of Denmark for the quarter finals. We had a blinder beating him 3-1, proceeding to the semi finals. We are now 1-1 against Francesco Bruni (ITA) in the semi finals.

Conditions had improved a tad from yesterday. Still a bit cold but the sun eventually came out. There was yet again a lot of waiting around for breeze come, resulting in a lot of light and fickle sailing.

Racing Radich in the quarter finals, we went down in the first match. A very close loss in 0-2 kts. Race two we managed to pull him in after a terrible start and pass him by the top mark. Race three and four were fairly similar with the team sailing superbly around the track. We were thrilled to take the victory 3-1.

Semi final time and we were picked yet again. This time it was by the top qualifier Bruni. We smashed him in the start of the first match and went on to win comfortably. Match two was close with us holding a narrow lead at the top. We defended well downwind but came a little unstuck at the bottom mark and gave away a very narrow lead, and thus, the race. 1-1 is the score line as we go to bed.

The forecast looks the same tomorrow (0-5kts). Watch us live on our site Waka Racing or on the WMRT page where photos and blogs are also available.

Phil's Video Report of todays overlooking the race course and village:


Waka Racing would like to thank all our sponsors and supporters. Tax Management New Zealand, KZ Race Furlers, Line 7/Events clothing, Frontend Design and the RNZYS.

WAKA Racing is Phil Robertson, Garth Ellingham, James Williamson, Sam Bell and Hayden Goodrick.

WAKA Racing
Match Race Germany