Match Race: The direct duel of boat against boat - crew against crew is the most thrilling form of regatta sailing. Adrenaline, suspense, stress and effort are felt not only by the sailors but by specatators ashore as well. Every race decides about victory or defeat, just like at the most famous match race of the world: the America`s Cup. To pass the finishing line in second place means to be the loser. Tactically, match race is highly demanding and requires highest concentration and absolute precision of every individual crew member. Which team reads the wind better, which team can better control its opponent through clever manoeuvers, who tacks fastest without losing too much speed and who has got the most successful tactic? All these are details that decide the duel on the water. Complete risk is the only way to win this competition. Anyone being in second place during the race has got nothing to lose and will take any risk to regain the lead. 

This principle is easy to understand and attracts not only yachtsmen, but spectators and the media as well. Many times the races take place close to shore and enjoy live broadcasts.

Where fighting minute advantages is common one can often see a breach of rules. Umpires on the water decide immediately whether and by which boat a rule was broken. This avoids decisions about victory and defeat later on in separate meetings.

Match race regatta series are organised similarly to a soccer world championships. In the beginning every crew sails against every other crew of the same group (Round Robin). The best and second best of every group sail in the final races. The highlight of every match race event is the "small final" for third and fourth place and of course the "big final" for victory and second place.

Felix Oehme (Helm):
"Match race for me is a perfectly tuned crew and complete concentration on the opponent and on nature".

Jan Eike Andresen (previous helmsman):
"Anyone seeking success in match racing must have nerves like steel and must fight like a lion, but has to be clever as a fox...".

Alexander Hagen (Flag Officer Youth):
"Match racing is a real alternative and could well become an Olympic discipline for men as well. It is the best training for boat handling and knowledge of rules: tough but honest".

Team history:

The NRV Match Race Team was established at the beginning of the 2003 sailing saison. Under the lead management of Sven-Eric Horsch and supported by the NRV Executive Committee two new J 22 boats could be purchased in summer of 2005 in order to successfully continue the sporting developement and to put the programme onto a broader base.

The NRV intends to support the entry of dedicated young talents from the dinghy scene and regatta sailors from other boat classes into this special type of sailing. The club is supported in this undertaking by the members of the NRV Match Race Team, who act as instructors and mentors for teams of the youth section.

Should you have any questions about our Match Race Team, you can reach us directly at: info@nrv-marketing.de