World Match Racing Tour: Robertson rules Malaysia, Canfield rules the World
Ed Baird (USA) was the last North American to have won the ISAF Match Racing World Championship in 2004, and now T
K Terengganu, Malaysia (November 30, 2013) – Taylor Canfield of the U.S. Virgin Islands has won the Alpari Match Racing World Tour after a dramatic final day at the Monsoon Cup. Canfield has Phil Robertson (NZL) to thank for his Tour victory after the WAKA Racing skipper swept to a 3-0 win over Ian Williams (GBR) to take the Monsoon Cup.
The Monsoon Cup is the sixth and final event on the Alpari World Match Racing Tour, the leading professional sailing series that is sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). Prize money is awarded for each event, with event points culminating in the crowning of the “ISAF Match Racing World Champion”.
After a week of frustratingly light winds, overnight some strong breeze hit Kuala Terengganu, even ripping big advertising hoardings out of their concrete mountings and strewing them across the road. Fortunately the strongest wind had abated by race time this morning, ready for the Semi Finals to begin.
All Taylor Canfield had to do was dispatch Phil Robertson in the semi-final, book his place in the final of the Monsoon Cup and the World title would be his, regardless of whether or not he would win. But Robertson saw things differently. “We’ve got nothing to lose, these guys have the pressure of a World Championship on the shoulders.” The WAKA Racing skipper made the most of his opportunity and outmaneuvered Canfield at the starts, winning 3-1.
After defending World Champion Williams dispatched Mathieu Richard (FRA) in the semi-final, a win in the Monsoon Cup final by Williams would give his team the points needed to leap Canfield in the tour standings to secure his unprecedented fifth title. But penalties by Williams led to Robertson’s sweep in the final.
Kiwi celebrations on the water were more than matched by Canfields USone team celebrations ashore. In his first full year on the Alpari World Match Racing Tour, the 24-year-old Canfield won at his first attempt. “It was our first year on the Tour, and we came in all fists swinging, hoping to put up a fight, and we did! Thanks go to my amazing team, they’re the real force here. Hopefully we’ll have many more years on the Tour.” Sailing with Canfield was Hayden Goodrick, Rod Dawson, Mike Rehe, and Dan Morris.
Winning the Monsoon Cup lifted Phil Robertson to third overall in the Tour behind Canfield and Williams. “We’re stoked,” said the 26-year-old. “It’s been a real long time coming. The boys put in a massive effort in the bigger breeze, and everything went our way today. That’s what you need to happen in finals when the pressure’s on.”
It was a big payday for the top teams, with Phil Robertson winning US$100,000 for his Monsoon Cup victory plus a Tour bonus of $70,000 for his 3rd overall. Williams won $65,000 as runner-up in Malaysia, plus $80,000 as runner-up in the Tour. Canfield won $48,000 for 3rd at the Monsoon Cup and a $100,000 Tour victory bonus.
Story courtesy Sailing Scuttlebutt
