Skipper Simon Minoprio of New Zealand and Crew Wins the First 'Detroit Cup' Match Race Halted Due to Severe Weather

DETROIT, May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Skipper Simon Minoprio ofNew Zealand and crew won the inaugural "Detroit Cup" besting nine other international teams in the sailing regatta that was cancelled on the third day of racing Sunday due to weather conditions.

A 2nd place standing was earned by Brian Angel ofManhattan Beach, California with his team winning 7 points in the final series among the top four teams for a trophy. Taking the third spot is team Andrei Arbuzov of Russia with six points and the fourth slot goes to skipper Dave Perry and crew with 5 points. Perry, who wrote a book on Match Racing, is fromSouthport, Conn., and ranks 44th in the international sailing.

"Further racing for the Detroit Cup was cancelled because of extreme weather conditions making it unsafe for people and equipment," said Marcia Everingham, Principal Race Officer. "These heavy wind and rain conditions are not racing conditions but more of survival sailing and that does not make for sportsmanlike competition."

The final race series got underway at 10 a.m. on Sunday and the sailing was halted at 11 a.m. after winds began gusting 20 to 30 knots with moderate rains and heavy cloud cover rolling into the Detroit River with temperatures in the high 40-degrees Fahrenheit. Sunday's weather was in marked contrast to brilliant blue skies and moderate temperatures and winds that greeted sailors from Thursday's practice through Saturday competitions.

"Thank you toBayview, sponsor Toyota and to all of you for having us this weekend and to my crew for making the win happen," said winner Minoprio. "I look forward to racing here again next year."

While English is a second language, third place finisher Arbuzov ofRussia won the hearts of racers and spectators with his enthusiasm for participation in the race. "I'm really happy to be here," said Arbuzov. "I also want to thank your President Ronald Reagan. He helped bring an end to the old USSR. Now we have the possibility to come to America. We lovedLos Angeles,New York City and being here inDetroit. This is the best country ... "

"The final day of weather cannot take away from the outstanding competition that was held here atBayview inDetroit over this beautiful weekend," said BYC Commodore Timothy LaRiviere. "This regatta gives new meaning to the Detroit River as an international waterway. While we see freighters here from all over the world, it's the first time champion skippers from six nations have sailed these waters and it has been thrilling and we look forward to havingDetroit on the international circuit for years to come."

The prestigious ISAF Grade 2 match race, sponsored by Toyota, was held in the international waterways of the Detroit River for the first time. The Detroit Cup, designed by sailing racer Paul Van Tol, will remain on permanent display at Bayview Yacht Club with the winner's name engraved. The first through third place winners were given a trophy made exclusively for the event by the historic Detroit Pewabic Pottery Company.

The 5th place team was skipper Jon Singsen and 6th place team was local skipper Adam Hollerbach ofGrosse Pointe, Michigan. The final round robin series was halted due to the severe weather conditions in the ISAF world circuit sanctioned race. In the match racing format two boats race at a time with the winner earning a point. This round robin format is similar to that used in America's Cup.

Ten teams from six countries -Argentina,Canada,Italy,New Zealand, Russia andthe United States competed in the Detroit River with the Canadian andDetroit shorelines and passing ocean-going freighters serving as backdrops to the Match Race.

The teams, each sailed onBayview's club owned fleet of identical Ultimate 20 sailboats and is one of the two most prestigious match racing events in North America in 2008 as measured by the International Sailing Federation grading criteria. Only the Congressional Cup race inSan Diego, California matches the event's stature.

"It has been a great event. We have hosted the international racers. We've had tremendous weather Thursday through Saturday. I guess last night some of the racers test drove the new Lexus ISF and it just blew them away. It appears they brought in the wind with them," said John McCandless, Toyota National Manager for Corporate Communications.

"I am sending an email to our big guys to thank them for the ISF and for naming it in honor of the International Sailing Federation," said McCandless. "I want to thank the racers,Bayview and the committee for a great event."

Competitors for the 2008 Detroit Cup and their international ranking include: Andrey Arbuzov, ofRussia, 15th; Simon Minoprio, ofNew Zealand, 26th; Chris Van Tol, ofGrosse Pointe Park, Mich., 31st and the top U.S. skipper; Brian Angel, ofManhattan Beach, Calif., 37th; Dave Perry, of Southport, Conn., 44th; Juan Ignacio Grimaldi, ofArgentina, 53rd; and Simone Ferrarese, ofItaly, 54th., Jon Singsen ofGreenwich, Connecticut, USA; Adam Hollerbach ofGrosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, USA and Peter Wickwire of Toronto, Canada. .

Toyota directly employs over 43,000 inNorth America and its investment here is currently valued at more than $21 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design. Toyota's annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from North American suppliers totals more than $30 billion. According to a 2005 Center for Automotive Research study, Toyota, along with its dealers and suppliers, has generated nearly 400,000 U.S. jobs, including jobs created through spending by direct, dealer and suppliers employees. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com.

Bayview, founded in 1915, is widely regarded as the premier sailing club inMichigan and the Midwest. The private club is located on the Detroit River near the mouth of Lake St. Clair and has more than 1,000 members. For more information on Bayview Yacht Club, please visit: http://byc.com/. Official race Web site: www.MatchRace@byc.com

Media inquiries on the international match race or any Bayview Yacht Club issues should be directed to Bruce Babiarz, BAB Associates, LLC at Babiarz@comcast.net or 248-890-5030 or Kerrie Barno, kerrie@byc.com, BYC Assistant Manager at 313-822-1853. www.byc.com is the official Bayview Yacht Club website.

SOURCE Bayview Yacht Club

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