Sunseeker Australia Cup - Tough battle for Match Racing Guns

12:48 PM Sat 28 Nov 2009 GMT

'Sunseeker at Sunseeker Australia Cup - 2009 Sunseeker Australia Cup' Sail-World.com /AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

After topping the Louis Vuitton Trophy series in Nice, France, Italy's Francesco Bruni and his Azzurra team flew into Perth West Australia as one of the favourites for the Sunseeker Australia Cup, the precursor event for the 2009 Monsoon Cup.

Jetlag and the switch from big AC boats to the Bakewell White designed Foundation 36s delivered a horror first day for the Italian team, left struggling with a 0-5 result. On day two they improved to post an overall 3-6 and against the odds they just scraped into the quarter finals.

Today, there would have been few bookmakers accepting money on the current World Match Racing Tour number two and 'in form' Torvar Mirsky, against the 'off pace' Bruni.

But this afternoon the Louis Vuitton Trophy winner was back on track. Clearly over his jetlag, Bruni looking relaxed with the prospect of his favourite light weather conditions suiting his style, as he sailed into the starting box in what could be a five match contest.

There was a long dial up, the longest of the series, with the two boats sliding well back. Mirsky was first to lose his line and he was immediately disadvantaged.

Off the start line Bruni had an early lead out on the left and he extended through the race to take an easy six lengths win.

In the second quarter final match for Mirsky and Bruni, Mirsky just escaped a penalty on the start line. Bruni again lead from the start. At the top mark Bruni was a boat length ahead of Mirsky. Bruni controlled the race and won by two lengths.

Heads were down on the Mirsky boat - 0-2.

Mirsky (white) versus Bruni - Sail-World.com -AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

In Match 3 Mirsky was more aggressive. He pressured Bruni in the pre-start, managed to secured the right and kept bouncing Bruni back to the left, but Bruni held on.

Bruni called for water, two to three lengths before it was necessary and was penalised by the umpires. Mirsky went on to win; now it was 1-2.

Match 4. Bruni won the start, but with a penalty needed to clear away from his Australian rival. Mirsky stayed tight as Bruni poured on the pressure.

Down the last run Bruni was three boat lengths ahead of his hard charging rival when the Italian spun his boat around the pin needing to complete his penalty turn before Mirsky crossed the line.

As Mirsky's bow crossed the line Bruni, with no rights and still 90 degrees from completing his turn, hit Mirsky amidships. Bruni was immediately flagged with another penalty. Mirsky won the match and Bruni accepted a further one point penalty, which meant there was no jury hearing. 2-2 had become 2-1.

With the sun low in the sky, the two boats went into sequence again. Off the start line in Match 5, Mirsky was faster on the left, pushed just clear and ahead so he could control Bruni even while on port and kept bouncing Bruni back in the adverse flooding tide. Mirsky kept extending his lead and was two lengths ahead at the top mark This was reduced to only a length at the bottom mark but Mirsky held on for victory - 3-1.

Dockside a clearly relieved Torvar Mirsky commented 'Well we came here to get more 'on water time' before the Monsoon Cup, but I don't think we expected quite this much.

Thinking time for Torvar Mirsky - 2009 Sunseeker Australia Cup - Sail-World.com -AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

'We are looking forward to the semis tomorrow, with Adam Minoprio, Ben Ainslie, ourselves and now Keith Swinton clearly in hot form, its going to be an interesting day.'

by Al Constable

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