Ainslie wins Allianz Cup, beating Baird
October 30, 2006 0 comments
The 29-year-old Ainslie, a helmsman for Emirates Team New Zealand, defeated Ed Baird of Alinghi, 3-1, to win his first World Tour event. Ainslie's crew included James Dagg, Terry Hutchinson, Jeremy Lomas and Tony Rae. They finished with a 14-5 record
The immensely talented British sailor Ben Ainslie became the fifth first-time winner on the World Match Racing Tour when he won the Allianz Cup Presented by Oracle.
The 29-year-old Ainslie, a helmsman for Emirates Team New Zealand, defeated Ed Baird of Alinghi, 3-1, to win his first World Tour event. Ainslie’s crew included James Dagg, Terry Hutchinson, Jeremy Lomas and Tony Rae. They finished with a 14-5 record and won $25,000 of the $100,000 purse.
Baird sailed with Mike Drummond, Nils Frei, Craig Satterthwaite and Piet Van Nieuwenhuyzen. They finished with a 13-5 record and won $15,000.
In the Petite Final Jesper Bank defeated Ian Williams, 2-0, to place third. Williams finished fourth in the event, but it was good enough to keep him in the lead of the Match Racing World Championship standings. Williams leads Baird by 7 points.
The World Match Racing Tour resumes next month with Stage 6, the Monsoon Cup in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, Nov. 29-Dec. 3.
Final results:
1. Ben Ainslie (GBR) Emirates Team New Zealand, 14-5
2. Ed Baird (USA) Alinghi, 13-5
3. Jesper Bank (DEN) United Internet Team Germany, 10-7
4. Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar
5. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Viano Mercedes Benz – Shosholoza, 9-4
6. Peter Gilmour (AUS) PST, 6-7
7. Chris Dickson (NZL) BMW ORACLE Racing, 6-7
8. Peter Holmberg (ISV) Alinghi, 7-7
Match Racing World Championship Standings (After Stage 5 of 15)
1. Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar, 47 points
2. Ed Baird (USA) Alinghi, 40 points
3. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Viano Mercedes Benz, 35 points
T. Jesper Bank (DEN) United Internet Team Germany, 35 points
5. Chris Dickson (NZL) BMW ORACLE Racing, 31 points
6. Mathieu Richard (FRA) Saba Sailing Team, 30 points
7. Sebastian Col (FRA) Areva Challenge, 29 points
8. Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) Mascalzone Latino – Capitalia, 27 points
