Edegran, Aschenbrenner complete GKSS Match Cup Sweden Lineup

Newport (RI), USA (May 23, 2018) – In the light conditions today on Newport Harbor, Markus Edegran won the Newport Match Cup, a qualifier event on the World Match Racing Tour, advancing himself and second placed skipper Joachim Aschenbrenner to the Championship level event GKSS Match Cup Sweden.

A good breeze greeted teams this morning as the knockout stages began. Edegran had already proved himself as a potential champion as he topped the round robin Qualifying Stage, but was given an easy road to the final when his opponent, local boy Jeremy Wilmot, retired from the competition. Joachim Aschenbrenner went on to take his Semi Final in straight matches, winning 3-0 over Chris Poole.

As the Final approached, the wind eased to leave a very challenging race course with a difficult current running though it. With neither team a regular on the waters of Newport, the slate was wiped clean and it was anybody’s game.

Due to time and weather constraints the final was reduced to a single winner-take-all sudden death match. Both teams threw all they had, swapping penalties multiple times.

“We won the start but it got close again later down the track. We had one penalty on the first downwind, a windward/leeward. The second penalty upwind a basic port/starboard. But we had really solid upwind tacks with the gennaker to stay in it.” Said Edegran.

Finally it was the young American Markus Edegran who crossed the finish line first to win the all important points on the World Match Racing Tour Championship Leaderboard. Edegran now tops the World Match Racing Tour leaderboard as the Tour moves forwards to the first Championship level event of the season, GKSS Match Cup Sweden, July 4-8th.

“It was a very good semifinal for us which we won 3-0 and got to the final and what we came here for [a ticket to Marstrand]. We couldn’t quite get it together in the final but overall we are very happy with this regatta.” Said second placed Aschenbrenner.

Edegran finished off saying, “It was great to get some time in the boat, playing around with setup. Now we are looking forward to Sweden.”

Overall Results