Sunseeker Australia Cup Day One -

7:43 AM Thu 26 Nov 2009 GMT

'Minoprio and Bruni' Sail-World.com /AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

Sunshine and breeze on the Swan River's Matilda Bay this afternoon for the first day of the 2009 Sunseeker Australia Cup Day One

Winds were more southerly than usual, 210 rather than the standard 225,

With Francesco Bruni and his Italian Azzura team, having just taken the inaugural 2009 Louis Vuitton Trophy event in Nice, so there was a lot of interest with his performance against the top guns from the World Match Racing Tour

Perhaps struggling with jetlag, it seemed that Bruni may have wished he had stayed in bed in his first three matches..

Bruni in the starting box - Sail-World.com -AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

Sailors on the match racing circuit are used to switching boats from event to event, but for Bruni the contrast was significant. A huge adjustment big boats, cool conditions racing early in the morning in Nice, versus lightweight 36 footers, glorious sunshine on the Swan River

In the first match against local favourite and World Match Racing Tour number 2, Torvar Mirsky, Bruni did not enter the box correctly, attracted a penalty and then was over the line at the start.

Bruni and Williams Perth City - Sail-World.com -AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

Against World Match Racing Tour defending champion Ian Williams, another timing issue for the Italian with Bruni over early, had to duck back and could not overcome the disadvantage.

Then against the current World Match Racing Tour leader, New Zealander Adam Minoprio, Bruni was over again, Minoprio did a slow tack on the committee boat to keep a vice like tight cover on Bruni and did not let slip for the duration of the race.

Minoprio prestart - Sail-World.com -AUS &copy Click Here to view large photo

Minoprio, Mirsky and Williams are unbeaten after their first three matches.

Ian Williams beat Evan Walker
Torvar Mirsky beat Francesco Bruni
Adam Minoprio beat Seve Jarvin

Ian Williams beat Francesci Bruni
Adam Minoprio beat Evan Walker
Torvar Mirsky beat Seve Jarvin

Torvar Mirsky beat Evan Walker
Adam Minoprio beat Francesco Bruni
Ian Williams beat Seve Jarvin

Racing has now moved to the Perth Waters course right in the CBD, after the boats had dropped and lifted their masts after coming under the Narrow Bridge.

by Rob Kothe

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