| HAMILTON, BERMUDA-(29-9-2002) Peter Bromby today won the Bacardi
Cup, Bermuda’s National Match Racing Championship, with a 3-2 victory over
defending champion Adam Barboza. The winner and runner up of the Bacardi Cup
traditionally have their entries paid for by Bacardi in the Bermuda Gold
Cup. As Bromby had already entered, Barboza and Glenn Astwood, who finished
third overall, will sail as “Team Bacardi” in the Swedish Match Tour event
scheduled at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club on October 12-20 in International
One Design class boats.
Bromby and Barboza advanced to the final round after winning their
respective semi-final round match-ups this morning. Bromby beat Astwood in
three straight races, while Barboza beat Blythe Walker 3-1.
The final round gave Bromby a chance to settle a long-standing rivalry
against Barboza. In last year’s Bacardi Cup, Barboza beat Bromby in three
straight races and Bromby was determined to even the score.
“We’ve had this rivalry between us since we were kids sailing Sunfish,” said
Bromby. “But my team sailed really well today and I’m very pleased to have
won against Adam.” Sailing with Bromby were Leatrice Roman, Christian Luthi
and Kees van Beelan.
Bromby started the first-to-three final round with a quick win against
Barboza, but multiple penalty situations for Bromby in the next two races
gave Barboza two straight wins.
“We beat ourselves a bit by getting into some tough situations,” said
Bromby. “So, in the fourth race we sailed more conservatively and tried not
to get worked up as much and it paid off with us winning that race.”
With both skippers tied with two wins apiece, the fifth race would decide
the overall winner. And both skippers went for an advantage in the
pre-start, but started even across the line. Flawless boat handling in
puffy, 10-15 knot wind gave Bromby the advantage he needed over his
childhood nemesis and the win.
“Our straight line trimming worked well, particularly our upwind sailing,”
said Bromby. “Our downwind sailing, especially the leeward mark rounding,
needs work, so that’s what we’ll be concentrating on this week in
preparation for the Gold Cup.”
The Bermuda Gold Cup, inaugurated 54 years ago, has developed into one of
the strongest of the star-studded stops on the global nine-event Swedish
Match Tour. The Bacardi Cup has been Bermuda’s own unique qualifier for
this event, giving up-and-comers as well as tested veterans of match racing
a direct shot at making the cut for the Gold Cup’s qualifying rounds and—if
successful through to the finals--claiming a portion of $65,000 in prize
money. For more information, go to www.bermudagoldcup.com
The Bacardi Building on Pitt's Bay Road in Hamilton is the world
headquarters for the Bacardi Group, known for its 140-year tradition of
distilling the world-famous rum. In addition to sponsoring the Bacardi Cup’
s winner and runner-up in the Bermuda Gold Cup, Bacardi Brands Bda. also
will host several parties at the Gold Cup for competitors, families and
spectators.
For more information contact Pauline Copeland at sailingoffice@rbyc.bm or
visit www.RBYC.bm
Round Robin scores: Final -- Bacardi Cup, September 29, 2002
Overall standings
1. Peter Bromby
2. Adam Barboza
3. Glenn Astwood
4. Blythe Walker
5. Paula Lewin
6. Ray De Silva
7. Pete Ramsdale
8. Mike Lewis
Final round (first-to-three wins): Peter Bromby def. Adam Barboza 3-2
Petit-final round (first-to-two wins): Glenn Astwood def. Blythe Walker 2-0
Semi-Final Round (first-to-three wins):
Peter Bromby def. Glenn Astwood 3-0
Adam Barboza def. Blythe Walker 3-1
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