Jablonski Reinforces Top Spot

Conditions over the last three days at the ISAF Grade 1 event have been tough for both the Race Committee and competitors at the Marseille International Match Race.

Racing on the final day took place on Marseille’s Outer Harbour, the wind being very light meant for some intense breeze hunting for the race organisers.

Karol JABLONSKI (POL), ranked first in the ISAF World Match Race Rankings overcame a slow start earlier in the week and the regatta’s on form skipper Bertrand PACE, to win his second Marseille International Match Race in a row.

Jablonski took the first race quite comfortably, but then watched the French battle back to even the score and force a third and deciding match.

In his semi-final, Jablonski dispatched of his opponent, the Frenchman Luc PILLOT, former helmsman for America’s Cup le D’fi Areva Challenge, 2-0, to gain momentum heading into his clash with Pac’, who likewise shed his opponent, France’s Matthieu RICHARD.

In the petit finals, the young French match racer Matthieu RICHARD defeated his fellow countryman Luc PILLOT to finish third. In the sail-off, New Zealand’s Kelvin HARRAP swept past Dimitri DERUELLE (FRA) to finish fifth.

The next ISAF Grade 1 event on the International Match Racing Tour is the Congressional Cup in Long Beach, California, April 19/24.

Results

Finals : Jablonski def. Pac’, 2/1
Petit finals : Richard def. Pillot, 2/0
Semi-finals : Pac’ def. Richard, 2/0 – Jablonski def. Pillot, 2/0
Sail-off : Harrap def. Deruelle, 2/0