December 6, 2009 (Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, ISV) – Peter Holmberg, Maurice Kurg, Morgan Avery and Ben Beer (ISV) utilized years of experience to defeat Taylor Canfield, Max Nickbarg, Tyler Rice and Chris Rosenberg (ISV) in an all US Virgin Islands final at the 2nd Annual Carlos Aguilar Match Race. Holmberg took Canfield down with two straight wins in the best of three finals in the Grade 3 Match Race in which junior sailors and locals went head to head against America’s Cup skippers and sailors who have reached the top of the match race standings in their careers. In the Petite Finals, Jes Gram Hansen (DEN) defeated Colin Rathbun (IVB) 2-0. In the preceding Semi Finals, Holmberg defeated Gram Hansen 3-1 while Canfield topped Rathbun 3-1.
Racing in the beautiful natural amphitheater of St. Thomas’ harbor, the sailors enjoyed 4 perfect days of sailing in the double round-robin, semi and finals event. Consistent trade winds of 10-15 knots, sunshine and warm weather treated the racers to some of the best sailing in the world.
In the Women’s division, the #1 Women’s Match Racing team in the world, Claire Leroy, Eladie Bertrand, Clarie Pruvot, and Marie Riou (FRA) defeated the US Women’s Match Racing Champion and the defending Carlos Aguilar Match Race Champion, Genny Tulloch and her team, which included Sally Barkow, Alana O’Reilly and Amanda Callahan in two matches in the first to two wins final.
Leroy was enthusiastic about the experience her team gained during the past three weeks of practice and racing in the US Virgin Islands. “Peter Holmberg gave us some time and we practiced against him. The quality of the sailing and competition was excellent. We look forward to returning for next year’s event,” said Leroy.
Claire Leroy (FRA) and Genny Tulloch (USA) dispatched their Semi-Final opponents by winning three straight against Katy Pilley-Lovell (USA) and Julie Bossard (FRA), respectively.
Open Results:
1. Peter Holmberg (ISV)
2. Taylor Canfield (ISV)
3. Jes Gram Hansen (DEN)
4. Colin Rathbun (IVB
5. Dave Perry (USA)
6. Chris Haycraft (IVB)
7. Fritz Bus (AHO)
8. Mauicio Gallardo (ELS)
Women’s Results:
1. Claire LeRoy (FRA)
2. Genny Tulloch (USA)
3. Julie Bossard (FRA)
4. Katy Lovell (USA)
5. Liz Baylis (USA)
6. Renata Decnop (BRA)
7. Kelly Obrian Uzenski (ISV)
- Maria Ramires (POR)
