Adam Minoprio (NZL) of ETNZ Black Match reminded everyone today why he is the #1 in the ISAF World Match Racing Rankings.

The Kiwi skipper won the six matches he sailed today, knocking Ian Williams (GBR) of Team Pindar out of the event in the semi-finals with a 3-0 score line.

Torvar Mirsky (AUS) of Mirsky Racing Team didn’t have to compete in the quarter finals thanks to his victory in the round robin. He had the right to choose his opponent and decided to sail against Philippe Presti (FRA) in the semi-final. A choice that proved to be good (so far), with the Australian managing to win his first two matches. The Race Committee then decided to postpone the third and decisive match to tomorrow morning because the wind just wasn’t stable enough this afternoon.

The visiting public who made the trip to St. Moritz for the event were not to be disappointed. The wind wasn't at its best today, but the sun was shining and the show was great. Presti of the French Match Racing Team started the day in style, beating the Italian sailor Francesco Bruni of Joe Fly Match Racing by 3-0.

“It was like a boxing match”, commented Presti after the series. Indeed, there were many collisions in this contest. Bruni said, laughing, “That his new sunglasses were responsible for his lack of precision.”

Minoprio also managed to beat his opponent in the quarter final by 3-0. Sailing against Peter Gilmour’s (AUS) Yanmar Racing, the Kiwi didn’t give away any opportunities to the Australian America’s Cups veteran, to take his spot in the semi finals convincingly.

The ‘King of the Mountain’ 2009 will be crowned tomorrow. Competition will be fierce and a great spectacle for all the visitors to St Moritz Match Race.

ISAF Match Racing World Championship Leaderboard
(Top eight teams after Stage 5 of 10)

1. Mathieu Richard (FRA), French Match Racing Team, 68 points
2. Adam Minoprio (NZL), ETNZ/BlackMatch, 61 points
3. Peter Gilmour (AUS), YANMAR Racing, 56 points
4. Torvar Mirsky (AUS), Mirsky Racing Team, 54 points
5. Ian Williams (GBR), Bahrain Team Pindar, 49 points
6. Damien Iehl (FRA), French Match Racing Team, 44 points
7. Ben Ainslie (GBR), Team Origin, 40 points
8. Sébastien Col (FRA), French Match Racing Team / K-Challenge, 33 points

The winner of the annual World Match Racing Tour is crowned as ISAF Match Racing World Champion. Find out more at www.sailing.org/matchworlds.