BlackMatch finishes third in Korea Match Race Cup
BlackMatch Racing reports from the final day of the Korea Match Racing Cup - third stage of the World Match Racing Tour:
Hello again from BlackMatch in Korea,
After narrowly missing out on making the final stage of the regatta, we had to front up today to take on world number 19 and former World Tour Champion Jesper Radich, in a best of three race off for third place. Although we definitely didn't have it all our way, we had three nail biting matches and managed to take out third place in the 2008 Korea Match Cup, winning the race off 3-1.
The first race we managed to win, leading from start to finish taking a narrow victory. The second race saw the Dane manage emerge with the advantage off the start line, although he did have a penalty from an infringement in the pre-start. They sailed well but by the final run had not managed to gain a big enough lead to complete their penalty turn, their only option was to wait for us on the final run to the finish and try and force a penalty on us, they did this extremely well and got a penalty on us right before the finish line, taking a the win.
The third deciding race was another thriller. Jesper had an excellent start, getting a penalty on us and gaining a clear advantage off the start line. We sailed a very good first beat though and although the Danes had the power of the right hand side of the course, we picked up a good left hand wind shift and crossed them with a four boat length lead. We had excellent boat speed today and with our trimmers Tom and Trae keeping us very fast, we managed to gain a big enough lead to do our penalty turn on the next upwind. After completing our penalty we held a very slim lead going into the final downwind.
The Danish crew gybe-set into better pressure but unlike our final race against Ian Williams, we were this time aware and equal to the task, pulling off an excellent gybe-set to defend our lead. Jesper tried to roll us to windward but he was quickly running out time and although he closed the gap right up when he brought better wind pressure up from behind, we held on to take 3rd in the 2008 Korea Match Cup.
We are very pleased to get this result in such a prestigious Regatta, it is the third leg of the World Match Racing Tour and our first podium finish. With such a huge media presence here we were very happy to know we could perform well in such a big event.
The final was between Ian Williams and Sebastian Col, the Frenchman Col coming out on top winning 3-1. We would like to congratulate Sebastian and his team on a fine regatta, they sailed extremely well throughout the week and took a well deserved victory.
BlackMatch would like to again thank our sponsors: FedEx Express, Ross Munro from Line 7 and Waiwera Infinity. We would also like to thank the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for their ongoing support.
BlackMatch Racing
by BlackMatch Racing Media 
