The World Match Racing Tour switches on mass market appeal

10:32 PM Fri 9 Apr 2010 GMT

'Children enjoying the action at first event of the 2010 World Match Racing Tour in Marseille, France &copy Gilles Martin-Raget' World Match Racing Tour &copy Click Here to view large photo

Match Race France, Stage 1 of the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) has demonstrated to competitors, organisers, fans and media why this style of 'boat on boat' sail racing is soaring in popularity, not just for those devoted marine heritage fans who idolise everything related to the America's Cup drama, but also to the mass market public who like to immerse themselves in the wonder of a new sports platform finding different heroes and villains not yet saturated through coverage.

Over the last 3 days WMRT followers have enjoyed 18 flights to now secure 8 skippers into the Quarter Finals from the original 12 invited competitors. The sustainable multi event series over a massive 9 month period is propelling the World Match Racing Tour forwards into the 'global sports brand' category, which sailing deserves to occupy alongside the likes of the PGA Tour with a loyal global audience.

Kings of the 2009 World Match Racing Tour, Adam Minoprio (NZL) BlackMatch Racing, Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team and Ben Ainslie (GBR) TeamOrigin, are still on top of the scoreboard really reinforcing their excellence through consistent strategically considered build up training. Top of today's game is the Tour's youngest helm in the slick Mirsky Racing Team at 23 years old.

Mirsky Racing Team (AUS) making the best of the light winds in Marseille, Match Race France, - 2010 World Match Racing Tour &copy Subzero Images - World Match Racing Tour &copy Click Here to view large photo

Torvar has a maturity beyond his years when talking us through commitment to his sporting profession, 'We feel we've prepared properly for the start of this year's World Match Racing Tour and that's paid off. We always knew we would be one of the tougher teams to beat, we are pleased with our consistent performance to date and the team is now looking forward to the rest of Match Race France'.

The sailing Gods distilled a different set of fortunes on Peter Gilmour (AUS), YANMAR Racing. Along with two other French nationals, he has been knocked out at this early stage.

Gilmour who has been racing this week with his 18 year old son, David, said, 'We are obviously a little disappointed but we are taking the positives with us, it has been a good start to the 2010 World Match Racing Tour and we will be back in full force at Match Race Germany during May'.

The Quarter Finals competitor list has half of the skippers currently assigned to global America's Cup syndicates; this will ensure aggressive style manoeuvres for tomorrow's Round Robin matches off Escale Borely Beach. The new race course location shifts the Tour into a 'weekend mode' with a more intense atmosphere on the start line and a public orientated set up on the shore. This integrated mix of satisfying the competitors and spectators across each of WMRT's 10 events will continue to develop the professional sailing series into a recognised global sporting brand that appeals to so many.

Ben Ainslie (GBR) TeamOrigin calls for a penalty during racing in Marseille - World Match Racing Tour 2010 &copy Subzero images - World Match Racing Tour &copy Click Here to view large photo

Quarter Finalists
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
Ben Ainslie (GBR) TeamOrigin
Adam Minoprio (NZL) BlackMatch Racing
Philippe Presti (FRA)
Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra
S?bastien Col (FRA) ALL4ONE

www.matchracefrance.com

by World Match Racing Tour

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