It was great to be back in Chicago again, this time for the ISAF grade 1 Chicago Cup. The event was sailed in the heart of the Chicago CBD at the City’s Navy Pier on Lake Michigan.
We began the regatta finishing the round robin with 8 wins 3 losses, a solid score but having to work hard for the wins. The conditions inside Navy Pier Harbour were extremely tricky and it took us some time to get to grips with sailing in the area. Fortunately sailing in the Tom 28 boats we always felt comfortable and fast which certainly helped. Our best win of the round came against world number 5 Pierre Antoine Morvan from France, a race which we lead until the last top mark rounding. At this point Morvan did a nice job overtaking but we put together a fast downwind finish to regain the lead and snatch the win.
Progressing to the quarterfinals we decided to pick Reuben Corbett from New Zealand. This was not as easy decision as all of the teams were highly ranked. Conditions for the quarters were very strong with Chicago living up to its reputation as the windy city. We did a really nice job in the quarters winning 3-0 against Corbett. We sailed fast and smooth building up a good feeling for our semi-final showdown against Phil Robertson (Waka Racing).
Going into the semi-final, confidence was high. Conditions were still very strong but this provided some close races and plenty of entertainment. We had four races against the kiwis with all 4 starts almost a carbon copy of each other. This worked in our favour as we took out the semifinals 3-1. Our only loss came in race 2; we lead the whole race with the kiwis hot on our heels. On the final down wind we sailed them past the finish line to hold onto our lead. Unfortunately as we gybed to the finish line with the spinnaker still up we lost control, both boats broaching out. This wasn’t such a major problem until we hit the finish line mark and were given a penalty, ending the race for us. All of this action just meters from Navy Pier! Despite this disappointment, we re-grouped and put together 2 more solid wins to progress to the final.
Our opponent for the final Morvan of France was a tough competitor, in form having won the last grade 1 event in Poland and finishing 2nd at the St Moritz Match Race.
After taking out race 1 we were given a pre-start penalty in the second race. Taking the lead off the start line helped, as we pushed hard to gain a winning margin, in hope of completing our penalty later in the race. Fortunately this went to plan and we managed to complete our penalty on the finish line and finish just ahead of the French team.
At this point we only needed one more win to take out the event but the French had not given up. They came from behind in race 3 after we were given an immediate penalty for failing to give the French room to round the top mark. This kept the final alive however we were determined to finish it off. Race 4 was very close as we battled it out for control up the first windward beat. Would put fait into our own hands at the top of the course allowing the French to gain the starboard advantage at the top of the course, a potentially dangerous position however we managed to squeeze around their bow at the top mark. From here we sailed a great down wind leg and held our lead to set up a comfortable final leg sailing downwind at high speed to the finish. It was great to celebrate our first grade 1 win spraying champagne into the crown and accepting the Chicago Cup.
To watch video highlight from the final day visit our gallery section!
