Roble leads field at Knickerbocker Cup

Port Washington, NY (August 29, 2013) – In light and variable NW wind on Manhasset Bay, Stephanie Roble, Epic Racing (USA) nailed all five of her matches. In her match against Stratis Andreadis, Atalanti Racing/Black Goat Offshore (GRE), Andreadis scored two penalties in the pre-start by hitting the committee boat twice by getting hung up on the RC boat anchor line and then did not make the start in the 2 minute time limit, securing another penalty and a black flag. The RC asked for redress on behalf of Andreadis – citing the anchor line not properly weighted down. Umpires denied redress citing that of the three penalties, two were preventable. Win to Roble.

After dispensing with Ashlen Rooklyn, Ballyhoo Racing (AUS), David Gilmour, Team Gilmore (AUS), Dustin Durant, Long Beach Match Racing (USA) and Stratis Andreadis Atalanti Racing/Black Goat Offshore (GRE), Roble’s next victim was Taylor Canfield, USone (ISV). In the pre-start, Canfield tacked behind Roble, hit her boat, drawing a penalty right before the start. To make matters worse for the number 1 ranked match racer in the world, by the time Canfield made it to the windward mark, two matches converged on the mark simultaneously, forcing Canfield, who was under spinnaker, to make room for them, further expanding Roble’s lead and her fifth win.

At the end of the day, Stephanie Roble said “It felt really good coming off the water today. We are a new team so we started off expected some wins and losses and learn from every race but the whole dynamic on the boat is incredible and everyone brought something unique to the boat. We’ll keep taking it one race at a time and see what happens at the rest of the round robin. The winds were really shifty and it was an ‘eyes out of the boat’ kind of day. It was critical to decide to sail the shifts or sail against your opponent. A big thank you to my crew!”

Chris Poole, Riptide Racing (USA) leading Nicolai Sehested,TRE-FOR Match Racing (DEN) around the mark. Poole ended Day 1 with 3-0 score and Sehested with 4-2.

Chris Poole, Riptide Racing (USA) finished the day 3-0 beating Eric Monnin, Okalys-Corum (AUS), Nicolai Sehested,TRE-FOR Match Racing (DEN) and Mark Lees, Team Echo Sail Racing (GBR).

In the last race of the day, in very light wind, Canfield and Sehested, the two top seeded teams at the regatta and the two teams with the most knowledge of the tough wind and currents that Manhasset Bay – Caanfield has competed in the KCup 5 times, with Sehested making 4 appearances – provided an interesting match. Sehested gained an early lead and held it right to the finish.

Racing continues tomorrow with winds predicted to be light, again challenging these 10 teams to use every trick in their arsenal to play the shifts and win their matches.

Many thanks to our sponsors: Investors Bank, West Marine, Daniel Gale/Sotheby’s International Realty and the Manhasset Bay Sailing Foundation. The Knickerbocker Cup Foundation is sharing net proceeds after all events with St. Francis Hospital.

Results – Day 1:

5-0 Stephanie Roble (USA)
4-4 Taylor Canfield (ISV)
4-4 David Gilmour (AUS)
4-2 Nicolai Sehested (DEN)
4-2 Eric Monnin (SUI)
3-0 Chris Poole (USA)
3-5 Dustin Durant (USA)
2-3 Stratis Andreadis (GRE)
1-4 Ashlen Rooklyn (AUS)
0-6 Mark Lees (GBR)

For more information:
www.knickerbockercup.org
www.new.livestream.com/MBYC/KnickerbockerCup2013
www.facebook.com/KnickerbockerCup
www.twitter.com/kcupmbyc
www.matchracingresults.com/2013/usa-grand-slam-overall

Report by Andrea Watson/Manhasset Bay Yacht Club