Nicolai Sehested vs. Eric Monnin in Knickerbocker Cup Finals

Port Washington, NY (August 31, 2013) – The wind was up on Manhasset Bay for the third day of racing at the Knickerbocker Cup on Manhasset Bay and the Race Committee got a lot of matches completed. Nicolai Sehested, TRE-FOR Match Racing (DEN) quickly dispensed with Chris Poole, Riptide Racing (AUS) in the Semi-Finals, 3-0, giving him a berth in the Finals and relegating Poole to the Petit Finals.  Eric Monnin, Okalys-Corum (SUI) didn’t have it as easy as Sehested.  It took the full set of five matches to dispense with David Gilmour, Team Gilmour (AUS).  Monnin was up 2-0 and it looked like Monnin would take the next match for 3-0. But that was not going to happen.  Gilmour just didn’t give up and just when everyone thought it was over for Team Gilmour, he and his team showed what they could do under pressure.  The next match went to Gilmour, so now it is 2-1.

The upcoming match was a must win for Gilmour. Both teams were even at the start, Monnin went left while Gilmour found pressure on the right and lead around the mark by three boat lengths. As Gilmore extended his lead downwind, Monnin needed a double tack to round the mark and to make matters even worse had some problems with their spinnaker set.  Match to Gilmour, tied at 2 each.

Now it was do or die for both teams.  Gilmour dominated the start but Monnin was faster upwind on the first leg and continued his lead on the first downwind leg, even though Gilmour was doing everything possible to try to take his wind.  He was not successful.  After a hard fought match, Gilmour lost on the last leg by 2-3 boat lengths.  Monnin advances to the Final and Gilmour faces Poole in the Petit Finals.

Tomorrow, racing will continue on Manhasset Bay Gilmour and Poole in the Petit Finals to determine third and fourth place. Gilmour and Poole are each tied at one point each. will determine third and .  Then it is on to the Finals, with the Danes against the Swiss.  By end of day, the winner will be determined and the victor will be able to raise the Knickerbocker Cup in victory.

Results after Day 3:

Finals:  Sehested vs. Monnin (first to three points in Finals)
Petit Finals: Poole vs. Gilmour (first to three points in Finals – both tied at 1-1)

5.  Stephanie Roble (USA)
6. Taylor Canfield (ISV)
7. Stratis Andreatis ( GRE)
8. Dustin Durant (AUS)
9. Mark Lees (GBR)
10. Ashlen Rooklyn (AUS)

Many thanks to our sponsors:  Investors Bank, West Marine, Daniel Gale/Sotheby’s International Realty and the Manhasset Bay Sailing Foundation.  The Knickerbocker Cup Foundation is sharing net proceeds after all events with St. Francis Hospital.

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www.matchracingresults.com/2013/usa-grand-slam-overall