Semi Finalists confirmed at Energa Sopot Match Race

Sopot, Poland (July 31, 2015) – There was no stopping current, and five-time ISAF Match Racing World Champion Ian Williams (GBR), GAC Pindar today at the Energa Sopot Match Race as he swiftly dispatched his Quarter Final opponent Joachim Aschenbrenner (DEN) in three straight wins.

Local hero Karol Jablonski (POL), who advanced directly to the Semi Finals by winning the Qualifying Round Robin, is now joined by Defending event champion Williams as well as the other Quarter Final winners, Bjorn Hansen (SWE), (Nautiska Racing), and Nicolai Sehested (DEN), (TREFOR Match Racing).

There was plenty of action for spectators to enjoy from the end of the 500m long Molo Pier which stretches out from the seaside resort of Sopot to provide the ideal stadium sailing arena for the 10th stage of the 2015 World Match Racing Tour (WMRT). Today didn’t disappoint as the six Quarter Finalists tussled around the race course in gusty conditions with broaches and flaring spinnakers aplenty.

In the first Quarter Final match, Swede Johnie Berntsson, Berntsson Sailing Team was paired with TREFOR Match Racing’s Nicolai Sehested (DEN), competing in his first World Championship Tour event since finishing as helm of the fated Team Vestas in the recent Volvo Ocean Race.

Nicolai Sehested (DEN) TREFOR Match Racing in action against Johnie Berntsson at the 2015 Energa Sopot Match Race © Robert Hajduk / WMRT

After Berntsson won the first of three races, Sehested and crew found their stride in the second with a masterful move at the finish as he luffed Berntsson away from the line and tacked back to the finish, offloading a penalty in the process. Sehested went on to win the next two races to secure his Semi Final slot 3-1.

“We had a good day,” said Sehested “It’s my first match racing event in a while but we’ve been getting better in the boats every day so that’s a good thing.”

As Williams finished his last match against Aschenbrenner, it was all action in the third Quarter Final between local sailor and founder of the Sopot Match Race, Przemyslaw Tarnacki (POL) Energa Yacht Racing, and Sweden’s Bjorn Hansen.

After Tarnacki took first blood, Hansen levelled the score before Tarnacki came back to clinch the third race 2-1. Undeterred, but struggling in the difficult wind shifts, Hansen and crew kept their cool to level the score at 2-2 following an overtaking manoeuvre on the final run to the finish. Both teams matched their speeds around the course in the final, deciding, race but Tarnacki was unable to gain enough separation to shake off an earlier penalty, handing the win and Semi Final slot to Hansen 2-3.

It was a disappointing day for Swiss match racer Eric Monnin (SUI) and his Team SailBox. Finishing the last of their Qualifying races earlier in the day, Monnin needed just one win against either of his last two opponents Matt Jerwood from Australia, and Ian Williams to make it to the Quarter Finals ahead of Przemyslaw Tarnacki. Both matches were close, with Monnin crossing the line ahead of Williams but losing the match due to an infringement within metres of the finish. Against Jerwood the battle raged around the track but Monnin just couldn’t make it stick, losing the race and exiting the competition.

The Semi Finals are scheduled for 1000 tomorrow with local and event favourite Karol Jablonski given the choice of Semi Final opponent.

“I’m not sure who I will pick yet,” said Jablonski, “but I’m thinking about one of the Vikings, and maybe I should pick on someone closer to my own age!”

Quarter Finals Results
Nicolai Sehested (DEN) TREFOR Match Racing bt Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team 3-1

Ian Williams (GBR) GAC Pindar bt Joachim Aschenbrenner (DEN) Aschenbrenner Racing 3-0

Björn Hansen (SWE) Nautiska Racing bt Przemyslaw ‘Tara’ Tarnacki (POL) Energa Yacht Racing 3-2

FINAL QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Karol Jablonski (POL) Jablonski Sailing Team 9-2
2. Björn Hansen (SWE) Nautiska Racing 8-3
3. Ian Williams (GBR) GAC Pindar 7-3
4. Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team 7-4
5. Nicolai Sehested (DEN) TREFOR Match Racing 6-5
6. Joachim Aschenbrenner (DEN) Aschenbrenner Racing 6-5
7. Przemyslaw ‘Tara’ Tarnacki (POL) Energa Yacht Racing 5-6
8. Matt Jerwood (AUS) Redline Racing 5-6 (4.5)
9. Eric Monnin (SUI) Team SailBox 7-4
10. David Gilmour (AUS) Team Gilmour 3-7
11. Reuben Corbett (NZL) Corbett Racing 3-8
12. Sam Gilmour (AUS) Neptune Racing 2-9

Tour details – Event site – Scoreboard – Facebook

Background: Energa Sopot Match Race (Jul 29-Aug 1) is the fourth world championship event on the 2015-16 World Match Racing Tour, the leading professional match racing series sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). The tour has six world championship events and a total of 19 events (details). Prize money is awarded for each event, with event points culminating in the crowning of the “ISAF Match Racing World Champion”.