The third day of racing at GKSS Match Cup Sweden saw the completion of the quarter-final matchups in both the Open and Womenâs class, locking in the final four teams in each division for tomorrowâs semi-finals. Danish skipper Jeppe Borch/ Borch Match Race join the Swedish trio of BjĂśrn Hansen/ Hansen Sailing Team, Johnie Berntsson/ Berntsson Sailing Team and Oscar EngstrĂśm/ Team Liros for the Open class final four.
Defending Womenâs Trophy champion Anna Ăstling / Team Wings leads the line-up for the Nordea Womenâs Trophy final four, joined by Franceâs Pauline Courtois/ Match in Pink by Normandy Elite, Swedenâs Martina Carlsson/ Beyond Racing Team, and Julia Aarsten/ Team Out of the Box from the Netherlands.
After a forecast of building breeze in the afternoon, the quarter-final matches were set at a first-to-two-points in both classes with the Nordea Womenâs teams heading to the course first after the morning skipper briefing.
In the first pairing, it was 23-year-old up-and-comer Martina Carlsson and the Beyond Sailing Team that found their early pace, sweeping 2024 runner-up Renee Groeneveld from the Netherlands in a 2-0 defeat to reach their second ever semi-final place on the Womenâs World Match Racing Tour.
Borch (Team Borch Matchrace) and Swedenâs Johnie Berntsson (Berntsson Sailing Team) each notched a 6â3 win/loss score to finish the round in second and third. Franceâs Ian Garreta (Med Racing) and Swedish up-and-comer Marius Westerlind finished with matching 5â4 records, while Oscar EngstrĂśm (SWE, Team LIROS) and AurĂŠlien Pierroz (FRA, Match Again by Normandy Elite Team) claimed the final two quarter-final spots at 4â5.
The surprise of the day, however, was the early departure of defending 2024 Match Cup Sweden winner Chris Poole (USA, Riptide Racing), and recent winner of the Long Beach Congressional Cup Switzerlandâs Eric Monnin (Capvis Swiss Match Race Team). After a disappointing week sailing with a new crew and with a cancelled practise day ion Sunday, Poole and team managed only win out of nine races, while Monnin and crew closed the round with three wins and six losses. Also to leave the competition is Australiaâs Zac West/ Sail+Racing Team.
In the Nordea Womenâs Trophy, Swedenâs Anna Ăstling and Team Wings delivered a clean sweep of seven wins undefeated, confirming their status as front-runners heading into the quarterfinals. A nail-biting match-up against Franceâs Pauline Courtois/ Match in Pink by Normandy Elite Team rallied the spectators watching on the rocks as the Swedish and French teams swapped multiple leads around the course before the Ăstling and crew were able to cross the line first to a loud ovation from the shoreline.
The young match racing teams of Marius Westerlind and Americaâs Cup Youth skipper Oscar EngstrĂśm were first to do battle with each team beating the other to force a deciding race. EngstrĂśm prevailed in the final match after forcing a penalty on Westerlind to go 2-1 and clinch the semi-final slot.
âA great day for us after a tough start to the weekendâ said EngstrĂśm. âWe always have close matches against Marius [Westerlind] as one of our closest rivals but also our training partner. Now we are looking forward to an exciting semi-final and hopefully building on the momentum.â
In the second match, local favourite Johnie Berntsson leaned on local knowledge to knock out Marstrand newcomer Franceâs Ian Garetta in two straight wins.
Also showing a strong performance this week, Denmarkâs Jeppe Borch delivered a commanding 2-0 defeat over his opponent AureliĂŠn Pierroz from France.
Variable weather is forecast for the next two days in Marstrand which will challenge the semi-finalists as they line-up tomorrow to punch their ticket to Saturdayâs final in front of expected large crowds on the iconic Marstrand cliffs.
