Sehested Wins Both Oakcliff International and Grand Slam Series

Oyster Bay, NY (September 8, 2013) – TRE-FOR Match Racing with Danish skipper Nicolai Sehested captured the Grand Slam Series title with Team Gilmour knocked out in the semifinals.  Only competing in three of four Series events, Sehested had no room for error.  But, with Chris Steele (NZL) being eliminated in the quarterfinals and David Gilmour (AUS) having to drop his 9^th place finish from Chicago, Sehested only needed to guarantee a ten-point lead on Gilmour at the Oakcliff International to confirm his victory.  Once done, all focus went to the last stage of the event, the finals.

Sehested was able to win the two initial races, but were Eric Monnin took the third, forcing the finals to a fourth match.  In the end, Sehested sailed strong and consistent races and took Monnin down in a 3-1 series, crediting his crewmembers, Thomas Hedegaard, Søren Secker, Jesper Blom, and Jay Halligan.  He thanked his crew for their ability to “keep doing a good job as I keep [messing] up.”  For their win at the Oakcliff International, Sehested’s team takes home a large portion of the $10,000 prize and for winning the Grand Slam Series title, they received invitations to the Chicago Match Cup and the 50^th running of the Congressional Cup.

Rounding out the top four at the Oakcliff International were Eric Monnin of Okalys Corum Sailing Team, Mark Lees of Team Echo Sailing, and David Gilmour of Team Gilmour in second, third, and fourth places, respectively.

For more information about the Oakcliff International, visit www.oakcliffsailing.org/racing/oakcliff-international.  Photos of the event can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/Oakcliffsail; and results are posted here: http://www.matchracingresults.com/2013/usa-grand-slam-oakcliff-international/.

Any questions can be directed to:
Madeline Gill, Oakcliff Sailing Center
press@oakcliffsailing.org