Monsoon Cup - Thinking the Unthinkable

4:06 AM Fri 4 Dec 2009 GMT

'Adam Minoprio (NZL) to leeward off Torvar Mirsky (AUS) just after the start. Monsoon Cup 2009. Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. 3 December 2009. Photo: Sander van der Borch / Subzero Images' Monsoon Cup &copy Click Here to view large photo

The tension continues to increase on the Pulau Duyong Basin on Day 3, as the 12 crews battle for their place in the quarter finals.

The defending World Champion Ian Williams and his Team Pindar crew are almost certainly not going to make the quarter final cut but now New Zealand's Adam Minoprio, the 2009 World Match Racing Tour leader, is in great danger also.

After a good first day Minoprio and his BlackMatch team have made a number of tactical blunders handing matches they should have won to their oponents.

On the first day Minoprio was beaten by seventh world ranked Daniel Iehl, on day two they fell victim to another young gun, Phil Robertson and third ranked Mathieu Richard and then to their closest tour rival Torvar Mirsky, in the battle of the Anzacs.

In yet another epic battle Minoprio fell to seven times World Champion and defending Monsoon Cup champion Peter Gilmour.

Minoprio was stony faced as he crossed the line. It was a tight, tight race. Gilmour won the start but the tactical decisions made on the Emirates Team New Zealand BlackMatch boat seemed less than flawless.

With the advantage on the right, three times the Kiwis failed to take their opportunities.

Adam Minoprio stated 'We needed a win there, we had the lead twice, but Gilmour sailed through us.'

So in a script writers dream, flight 16 came down to a battle between Ian Williams and Adam Minoprio.

A giant mistake from Minoprio, under pressure from Williams, when he was over the line early on the right.

Williams held the lead, a small mistake on the beat and for a second Minoprio snatched the lead, but Williams came back.

In the absolutely must win match, it seemed for the first time in the regatta Williams crew was doing both the small things and the big things right. Richard Sydenham, the Team Pindar tactician was keeping Williams in consistently better current.

The last lap would decide the season for these two crews and at that stage Williams was better placed - three lengths in the lead.

Down the run for the last time. Minoprio was desperately trying to close the 25 metre gap, but Williams held on to win.

The heads are down on the Black Match boat.

More to follow as it unfolds.

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by Rob Kothe