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Danish eyes were smiling today
at the Danish Open, Round ten of the World Match
Racing Tour 2006/2007.
Both finalists Jesper Radich (DEN) and Peter Wibroe
(DEN) are products of the Royal Match Race Center
here in Skovshoved and gave the enthusiastic crowd
an amazing display of Match Race sailing.
In a close fought battle Radich emerged victorious
with a 3-1 score line and a cheque for 100,000 Dkr
(approx. $18,000).
After a poor start in race 1 Radich fought back
to take the win, then in race 2 Wibroe came fast
out of the blocks to take control of the race and
level the score. A bounce back by Radich in match
three saw him go to match point but it wasn’t all
going Radich’s way.
Match four saw Peter Wibroe engineer a penalty on
to Radich, a fierce battle then ensued as the two
crews fought their way around the course with Radich
just putting enough distance between himself and
Wibroe to shed the penalty right on the finish line
and take the Danish Open.
Peter Wibroe was obviously disappointed to come
second even though the goal of this young crew before
the event had been to reach the semi finals.
During the course of four days they have demonstrated
Match Racing of the highest level to an appreciative
audience; as Wayne Boberg (NZL), one of the International
Umpires put it "Peter Wibroe is going to be
the next big name in Match Racing in the coming
years. He is a fantastic sailor and he has got the
crew working well together. His temperament is perfect
for a match racing, Peter really has got the keys
for success."
The wind conditions on the final day were a big
challenge for the sailors. The wind shifted direction
constantly with max left to max right being 70 degrees.
Third placed Ian Williams (GBR) of Team Pindar was
full of praise for the organizers, the Royal Matchrace
Center, "They were very difficult conditions
out there today in our match against Sebastien (Col)
for third place".
"We were lucky enough to choose the favoured
side. For us the third place here is a good result,
we keep our first place on the ISAF Ranking list
and take the lead on the World Tour. At the same
time I would like to praise the organisers for a
really good event where everything worked perfectly
and we would like to return next year."
Last years winner Sebastien Col (FRA) finished in
fourth place whilst Swede Bjorn Hansen was fifth
after his victory over Jesper Bank (DEN).
Final (First to 3 points) & Petit Final (First
to 2 points)
Flight 1 : Jesper Radich def. Peter Wibroe - Ian
Williams def. Sebastien Col
Flight 2 : Peter Wibroe def. Jesper Radich - Sebastien
Col def. Ian Williams
Flight 3 : Jesper Radich def. Peter Wibroe - Ian
Williams def. Sebastien Col
Flight 4 : Jesper Radich def. Peter Wibroe - Ian
Williams def. Sebastien Col
Semi Final (First to 3 points)
Flight 1 : Ian Williams def. Jesper Radich - Sebastien
Col def. Peter Wibroe
Flight 2 : Ian Williams def. Jesper Radich - Peter
Wibroe def. Sebastien Col
Flight 3 : Jesper Radich def. Ian Williams - Peter
Wibroe def. Sebastien Col
Flight 4 : Jesper Radich def. Ian Williams - Peter
Wibroe def. Sebastien Col
Playoff (First to 2 points)
Place 5/6 : Bjorn Hansen def. Jesper Bank - Bjorn
Hansen def. Jesper Bank
Place 7/8 : Sten Mohr def. Philippe Presti - Sten
Mohr def. Philippe Presti
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