Gifford wins 2021 Detroit Cup

Detroit, MI (August 22, 2021) – In a first-to-five point showdown that went to the fourth match, Alastair Gifford (NZL) and his team of Devon Baker and Frank Dair won the 13th edition of the International Match Race for the Detroit Cup hosted by Bayview Yacht Club. His rival in the Finals was local-based Ryan Seago (USA) who was winner of the four Round Robin qualifying stage.

s sailed among six participating teams racing equally-matched Ultimate 20’s.

“We want to thank our rivals who provided excellent competition for us all week,” said Gifford, “and all at Bayview who made this possible. We also want to thank our supporters at home from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Performance Program.” Gifford and team receive $1000 of the prize money purse awarded at this year’s event.

Six teams from four nations completed 79 matches held in Ultimate 20s on August 19-22. With light to moderate easterlies, this was sufficient to complete four Round Robins and Semi-finals through yesterday, leaving the Finals and Petit Finals for today.

In the Finals, Gifford put the event favorite Seago on notice by winning the first match, but then fell to him in the next to tie the scorecard on one point each. With and a little bit more breeze to work with, Gifford’s team then stepped up their game to win the starts, take control of each first beat, defend their lead, and then extend to win each of the remaining two matches.

In the first-to-two point Petit Final, James Pinder (GBR) prevailed against Ireland’s Ruari Finnigan 2-0.

Giffford’s win of this Grade 2 event replicates the victory he had in Chicago at the first stop of the US Grand Slam Series and puts the team in a strong position going into the next Tour stop at the Oakcliff International in Oyster Bay, New York. In addition to gaining Grade 2 points On the World Sailing Match Race Ranking List, the winner of the GRAND SLAM series earns a qualification spot at the 2022 Congressional Cup at Long Beach YC.

Final results:
1. Alastair Gifford (NZL)
2. Ryan Seago (USA)
3. James Pinder (GBR)
4. Ruairi Finnegan (IRL)
5. Ansgar Jordan (USA)
6. Sam Bartel (USA)

Race details – Results

2021 Grand Slam Series:
August 6-8: The Chicago Cup – Chicago YC – Tom 28
August 19-22: International Match Race for the Detroit Cup – Bayview YC – Ultimate 20
August 27-30: Oakcliff International – Oakcliff Sailing – Match 40
September 1-4: The Thompson Cup – Seawanhaka Corinthian YC – Match 40

For information on Grand Slam Series, click here.

Source: Detroit Cup