The 2014 Argo Group Gold Cup was delayed this morning due to the arrive a cargo ship into the Hamilton Harbor, but once racing got underway for Group 1, Bermuda’s Somers Kempe although he did not get a good start against Keith Swinton from Australia, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Commodore who last night declared the event open came back to win the race.
In other flight one results Great Britain’s Ian Williams defeated Dirk-Jan Korpershoek from the Netherlands. Sweden’s Bjorn Hansen defeated his fellow countryman Johnie Berntsson and the final race in flight one saw Pierre-Antoine Morvan from France defeat David Storrs from the United States of America.
Ian Williams GAC Pindar who is #1 on the Alpari World Match Racing Tour and stands #2 in ISAF rankings going into Stage 6 at the Argo Group Gold Cup had a nearly perfect first day in the Argo Group Gold Cup. He won all four of his matches but stands on 3.5 points.
Williams tried to cross Francesco Bruni Luna Rossa in a close match and failed to make it. Bruni's bow roller caught William's backstay and the two boats twirled away locked together for what seemed like an age. Both skippers were penalized 1/2 point for the incident. Williams leads Group 1 going into flight 6.
Leading Group 2 is Marek Stanczyk Henri Lloyd Rainmaker Racing, a former Polish Match Race Champion. He finished the first day with a perfect 4 points and no losses. Stanczyk defeated Mathieu Richard LunaJets, Eric Monnin Swiss Match Racing Team, Nathan Outteridge Artemis Racing.
Taylor Canfield US One, top seed in Group 2, has 3 points. He is joined there by Eric Monnin Swiss Match Racing Team and Staffan Lindberg Alandia Sailing Team.
Bermuda’s Kempe ended the day 1 & 3 in Group 1, while Lance Fraser ended 0 & 4 in Group 2.
