Chris DICKSON (NZL) pipped Magnus HOLMBERG (SWE) in Portugal

Chris DICKSON (NZL) pipped Magnus HOLMBERG (SWE) within yards of the finish line to win the $100,000 ISAF Grade 1 Portugal Match Cup, stage one of the 2006-2007 World Match Racing Tour.
Shifty conditions with gusty ten to 15 knot winds were challenging for the finalists. DICKSON streaked to a 2-0 lead before HOLMBERG battled back to even the score 2-2, setting up a one race, winner take all finale.

DICKSON Makes Early Championship Running
In a race with two lead changes, a penalty and slick boat handling, DICKSON won by less than half a boat length. He won $35,000 in prize money and is the early leader in the World Championship standings. The 2006-2007 World Championship will be a series championship among the World Tour events.

A Word From The Winner
 'The conditions are very difficult and we knew we were going to lose some,' DICKSON said after the dramatic 3-2 win. 'We took one race at a time. I lost one start which made it difficult, it was close racing. Magnus and his crew sailed very well.'
'It feels really good,' said NEERGAARD of DICKSON’s crew. 'I guess we just saved a little bit of excitement until the end. Magnus came back really well after we had an easy two races. He beat us quite fair and square in the next two races, so it was all down to the last one. I think we just managed to pull the long straw and just peeped ahead of him by not even ten metres, so it’s pretty good.'

PortugalMatch Cup Results
Final
Chris DICKSON (NZL) d. Magnus HOLMBERG (SWE), 3-2

Petit-Final
Peter GILMOUR (AUS) d. Jes GRAM-HANSEN (DEN), 2-1

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