Wednesday 19 May 2010

WMRT: Match Race Germany Looks Forward to being a WMRT Awards Recipient



ISAF World Match Racing Tour Awards Start 2010 Momentum


Castle Montfort, Langenargen. Image copyright Guido Cantini.

by Cailah Leask

Match Race Germany (MRG) will be a key contender in the 2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) Annual Awards. The professional team are aiming to be nominated for a number of the awards which recognise high achieving teams involved with the Tour. Seen as the ‘Oscars of Match Racing’ competition, it is a privilege to secure a nomination across any of the 8 categories.

Director of Match Race Germany, Eberhard Magg, is confident in securing nominations for 2010, “in my opinion the WMRT awards committee should look at all the award categories in relation to Match Race Germany”. The categories cover; Best Overall Event, Best Overall Team, Best Spectator Experience, Best Hospitality, Best Still Image, Best Innovation, Best Branding and Best Race Officer.

The key award to win, which Match Race Germany is aiming for will be ‘Best Overall Event’. This would be a true recognition of the long term event against the other 9 international venues on the Tour. The Director of MRG’s father, Rudi Magg will be the Race Officer for Stage 2 of this event and will no doubt be included in a decision for the award of ‘Best Race Officer’ at the end of 2010.

With only Stage 1 of the Tour completed so far there have already been a number of submissions for the ‘Best Still Image’. A favourite with the Tour fans the images will show not only the racing but also the on-shore activities that are often less high profile at water sports events.


Stunning Sunset at Langenargen, home of Match Race Germany. Image copyright Match Race Germany.

Venues are already looking to expand the award categories available. Magg has suggested to the WMRT that he would like to see two more category opportunities being introduced - “the best sail entertainment” and “most picturesque venue”.

It is very prestigious for a venue to win ‘a WMRT award’. The Awards are an excellent verification from a world class series of a high quality event having been run successfully. The event must also satisfy the tour card holders, sponsors, partners, fans and the Tour. “It would be nice to win a ‘Tour Oscar’”, said Magg.

Skipper List - Stage 2 - Match Race Germany
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Gill Global Team
Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar
Ian Ainslie (RSA) Team Proximo
Mads Ebler (DEN) Ebler Matchracing
Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge
Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team
Kathrin Kadelback (GER) EWE Sailing Team

2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour Standings
(After Stage 1 of 10)
1. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 25 Points
2. Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 20 Points
3. Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 15 Points
4. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia 12 Points
5. Sebastian Col (FRA) ALL 4 ONE 10 Points
6. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 8 Points
7. Philippe Presti (FRA) 6 Points
8. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 4 Points

Match Race Germany
World Match Racing Tour