Open Match Race Cup Hard 2007: Ian Ainslie beaten by Monnin in a dramatic final

(c) Wolfgang M. Beck

The “Binnenbecken” is a small enclosure of Lake of Constance in Hard, Austria that provides a perfect arena for matchracing. Just big enough to set a course, so the spectators can watch from all around the bay.
In the Final Monnin won the first race. After the boat change Ainslie could beat him twice. Then boats were changed again and the fourth race went to Monnin, so that the final fifth heat decided everything. Ainslie could clearly win the start. He reacted to Monnin’s tacking attacks and they provided a fascinating duel for the spectators at the beach. In a slight wind change Monnin got in front and he succeeded in defending his lead over the following three legs.
At the price giving ceremony Eric Monnin addressed the audience: “We have been dreaming of winning a Grade Two Event for the last four years. Now we have succeeded”. And a great victory it was, seeing all the famous names behind him.

Final result Open Matchracecup Hard 2007

1 Eric Monnin, Swizzerland
2 Ian Ainslie, South Africa
3 Mads Ebler, Denmark
4 Max Gurgel, Germany
5 Matteo Simoncelli, Italy
6 Tino Ellegast, Germany
7 Staffan Lindberg, Finland
8 Andrew Cornah, United Kingdom
9 Jure Orel, Slovenia
10 Marek Stanczyk, Poland
11 Heinz Doppelmayr, Austria
12 Verena Wagner, Austria

Read more avout the event