RADICH Wins All Danish Final

In a close fought battle Jesper RADICH (DEN) emerged victorious at the ISAF Grade WC Danish Open with a 3-1 score line and a cheque for 100,000 Dkr (approx. $18,000).

Danish eyes were smiling on Sunday at the ISAF Grade WC Danish Open. Both finalists, RADICH and Peter WIBROE (DEN), are products of the Royal Match Race Center in Skovshoved and gave the enthusiastic crowd an amazing display of match race sailing.

A champagne drenched RADICH said, ‘I can’t praise my crew enough, everyone fought right to the end and finally we are celebrating a victory at the Danish Open. It means an awful lot to us all that we have managed to defeat an ensemble of some of the world’s best match racers.’ Amongst the field were five other America’s Cup skippers, the current European Champion and the current World Tour leader.

After a poor start in race 1, RADICH fought back to take the win, then in race 2, WIBROE came fast out of the blocks to take control of the race and level the score. A bounce back by RADICH in match three saw him go to match point but it wasn’t all going RADICH’s way. Match four saw WIBROE engineer a penalty on to RADICH, a fierce battle then ensued as the two crews fought their way around the course with RADICH just putting enough distance between himself and WIBROE to shed the penalty right on the finish line and take the Danish Open.

WIBROE was obviously disappointed to come second even though the goal of this young crew before the event had been to reach the semi-finals. During the course of four days they have demonstrated match racing of the highest level to an appreciative audience; as Wayne BOBERG (NZL), one of the International Umpires put it, ‘Peter WIBROE is going to be the next big name in match racing in the coming years. He is a fantastic sailor and he has got the crew working well together. His temperament is perfect for a match racing, Peter really has got the keys for success.’

The wind conditions on the final day were a big challenge for the sailors. The wind shifted direction constantly with max left to max right being 70 degrees. Third placed Ian WILLIAMS (GBR) of Team Pindar was full of praise for the organizers, the Royal Matchrace Center, ‘They were very difficult conditions out there today in our match against Sebastien [COL (FRA)] for third place. We were lucky enough to choose the favoured side. For us the third place here is a good result, we keep our first place on the ISAF Ranking list and take the lead on the World Tour. At the same time I would like to praise the organizers for a really good event where everything worked perfectly and we would like to return next year.’

Last year’s winner Sebastien COL (FRA) finished in fourth place whilst Swede Bjorn HANSEN was fifth after his victory over Jesper BANK (DEN).

(After Stage 10)

(2006-2007 Season)

World Match Racing Tour Schedule

The World Match Racing Tour is an ISAF Special Event. Skippers earn points towards the World Championship at the nine events of the World Tour and the highest scoring skipper at the end of the season is the ISAF Match Racing World Champion.

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