By Adam Keith, Associate Timepiece Editor for ViaLuxe-

Corum's esteemed sailing ambassador Ben Ainslie is off and running at the 2009 World Match Racing Tour--a professional sailing series comprising ten events scattered around the globe.  At event No. 2, on Germany's Lake Langenargen, the Olympic gold medalist and his crew claimed a first place finish in a determined contest between twelve teams boasting a number of the world's most accomplished sailors.  In the end, it was a close contest between Ben Ainslie's Team Origin and the French Match Racing Team, whose captain Damien Lehl was the event winner in 2008.

Ainslie and Team Origin did have some difficulties at the start.  In the opening round robin, they endured four race losses for just one win.  However, dramatic improvement was not long in coming.  The quarter finals were marked by an engaging battle between Team Origin and the Pindar Team with Ian Williams, reigning World Champion, who ended up getting wet when he took an unexpected spill over the side of the boat.  Pindar ended up in 5th place overall.  After the race, Ben Ainslie expressed his pride in Team Origin's 3:1 win. "The team did a fantastic job in difficult conditions and Iain called the wind beautifully," commented Ainslie. "We’re now looking forward to another big regatta in Korea next week."

Overall Results

1st Ben Ainslie (GBR) Team Origin
2nd Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team
3rd Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
4th Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team
5th Ian Williams (GBR) Bahrain Team Pindar
6th Francesco Bruni (ITA) Joe Fly Match Race
7th Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing
8th Sébastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/K-Challenge
9th Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Team Onboard
10th Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing
11th Eric Monnin (SUI) Team Search.ch
12th Carsten Kemmling (GER)

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