Berntsson Sailing Team’s Johnie Berntsson disappointed after losing to Ian Williams: Monsoon Cup
Berntsson Sailing Team’s skipper, Johnie Berntsson, had a tough opponent, Great Britain’s Ian Williams, in the final encounter of 2011 Monsoon Cup, which is the final regatta of the 2011 International Sailing Federation’s Match Racing World Championship.
The Swedish team had a superb run throughout the regatta, until the best-of-five races final against the Briton at Kuala Terengganu, in Malaysia. Despite their impressive performance, the Swede could not sail up to standards and lost to Williams, 3-1, in
the final. Berntsson is satisfied with his team’s form throughout the cup, yet he is disappointed that they could not win the regatta.
The odds were against Berntsson, as he had only a 22 percent chance to nudge his British opponent down in the final of Monsoon Cup. The final race was all about winning for both teams as they sailed their boats on Malaysian waters.
Unlucky for Berntsson, Williams trapped him against the Race Committee boat and moved fast towards the first mark. Berntsson had no other choice but to stay behind Williams until the end of Race 1 to finish 1-0 behind.
The next race almost finished in the same manner like the first one. Berntsson again could not grab a clean start like Williams and was forced to follow the Briton’s air to the finish line. By winning the second race, Williams stretched his overall lead
to 2-0.
Berntsson bounced back in Race 3 and pushed the British sailor to the line, up to the windward mark. Williams got a red flag penalty and Berntsson snatched the overall lead to finish first and take the scores to 2-1. The Swedish sailor could not continue
his winning run in the third race, as he lost to Williams again to finish second by a margin of 3-1.
Speaking to the local press after the final, Berntsson said, “We didn't push Ian as hard as we wanted today and when you sail the World Champion when he's at his best it's always going to be hard! We are really happy with the way we sailed here but obviously
are disappointed not to win the final.”
The Swede added, “Our three year goal was to make the podium so we're going to have to throw that out now! We never expected to make the goal in one year! Now we will have to go away, set a new goal and come back next year to do even better.”
Final standings at the conclusion of 2011 Monsoon Cup standings:
1. Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar
2. Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team
3. Jesper Radich (DEN) Adrian Lee & Partners
4. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
5. Will Tiller (NZL) Full Metal Jacket Racing
6. Phil Robertson (NZL) Team China powered by WAKA Racing
7. Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Mekonomen Sailing Team
8. Francesco Bruni (ITA) Bruni Racing
9. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) The Wave Muscat
10. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team
11. Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team
12. Jeremy Koo (MAS) Abdullah Chan / KRT
Overall World Championship Standings are given below:
1. Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar - 144 points
2. Francesco Bruni (ITA) Bruni Racing - 112 points
3. Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team - 106.2 points
4. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) The Wave Muscat - 105.8 points
5. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing - 102.8 points
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