Guichard, Martinez lead field at World Match Racing Tour

Marstrand, Sweden (July 5, 2016) – Today was the second and final day of the fleet racing phase of World Match Racing Tour Marstrand, with 20 international teams divided into four groups of five. For the bottom two in each of those groups, they go into tomorrow’s match racing sail offs to determine which four teams live to fight another day in the competition, and which four go home early.

Out of all four Qualifying Groups, the dominance by France’s Yann Guichard of his fleet was the most impressive. Iker Martinez (ESP) also won five heats in what was arguably the toughest Group of the draw. Both come to the tour with catamaran skills but minimal match racing experience.

Tomorrow’s schedule starts with the bottom eight teams competing in the Qualifying Sail Offs to narrow the field to 16 teams to advance to the knock-out phase of the competition.

Day Two Standings

The results from the previous four Tour events in 2016 qualified the 20 teams which will be competing July 4-9 in the M32 catamaran, which is manufactured and marketed by Tour owner Aston Harald.

Event Format:
• Day one and two – Fleet race Qualifying in Groups of 5. Each Group sails 6-8 races.
• Day three – Bottom two from each Group compete in a sail-off to decide who moves on to the 16 team knockout. Top three from each Group join the sail-off winners in a 16 team, first to three-point, knockout. 1v16, 2v15, 3v14 etc.
• Day four – Sponsor day and remaining races from the 16 team knockout.
• Day five – Quarter Finals and start of Semi Finals (knockout format).
• Day six – Finish Semi Finals and complete Final/Petit Final (knockout format).

WMRT Final Skipper Line Up:
1. Taylor Canfield – US One
2. Ian Williams – GAC Pindar
3. Nicolai Sehested – TREFOR Racing
4. Yann Guichard – Spindrift Racing
5. Phil Robertson – WAKA Racing
6. Nicklas Dackhammar – Essiq Racing Team
7. Chris Steele – 36 Below Racing
8. Mattias Rahm – Rahm Racing Team
9. Hans Wallén – Wallén Racing
10. Sam Gilmour – Neptune Racing
11. Sally Barkow – Team Magenta 32
12. Johnie Berntsson – Flux Team
13. Matt Jerwood – Redline Racing
14. Iker Martinez – Team Espāna
15. Evan Walker – KA Match / CYCA
16. Björn Hansen – Nautiska Racing
17. Steven Thomas – RPM Racing
18. Eric Monnin – Albert Riele Swiss Team
19. Murray Jones – Full Bants Racing
20. Keith Swinton – Team Accure