Pieter-Jan Postma, possibly the most laidback speed demon in the world, proved two things at the WMRT Match Cup Russia at St. Petersburg Yacht Club today; firstly, that even in his debut year on the World Match Racing Tour he is a greater force to be reckoned with each event, and secondly that Phil Robertson's conveyor belt of victories should not be taken for granted.

Robertson (CHINAone Ningbo), the current Match Racing World Champion, has been punching top spots like a machine and is this year's clear leader. He was ahead in Group 1 after the first qualifying session but found today's second session more complicated, as he finished third in the group.

Postma finished Group 1 level on points with Perth's Matt Jerwood (Redline Racing), but went top by virtue of count back winning the last race. Jerwood went into the last race leading the group after winning the second and third races, but could only finish fourth in the last. The strength of this group of death was underlined by the role that Russian Victor Serezhkin (Gazprom Team Russia) played on day two, picking up two second places, the second of which came crucially in the second race.

The Sail-Off tomorrow morning between the bottom teams from each of the three Qualifying groups will eliminate two teams and decide the final make up of the remaining 16. The first Sail-Off will be an all-Russian affair between Evgeny Elfimov (M1 Cloud) and Evgeny Neugodnikov (Team Tavatuy), the winner of that will face Polish skipper, Lukasz Wosinski (Delphia Sailing Team). The winner of the that will face Frenchman Guichard.

Qualifying Results

Group 1
1. Pieter-Jan Postma (NED), Sailing Team NL - 18 points
2. Matt Jerwood (AUS), Redline Racing - 18
3. Phil Robertson (NZL), CHINAone Ningbo - 19
4. Viktor Serezhkin (RUS), Gazprom Team Russia - 29
5. Nico Delle Karth (AUT), Chilli Racing - 38
6. Evgeny Elfimov (RUS), M1 Cloud - 46

Group 2
1. Ian Williams (GBR), GAC Pindar - 19
2. Nicklas Dackhammar (SWE), ESSIQ Racing Team - 22
3. Markus Edegran (USA), E11EVEN Racing - 26
4. Jonas Warrer (DEN), Aarhus Innovator - 27
5. Sally Barkow (USA), Magenta 32 - 30
6. Evgeny Neugodnikov (RUS), Team Tavatuy - 46

Group 3
1. Yann Guichard (FRA), Spindrift Racing - 13
2. Mans Holmberg (SWE), Gothenburg Racing - 21
3. Sam Gilmour (AUS), Neptune Racing - 23
4. Steve Thomas (AUS), RPM Racing - 26
5. Kim Kling (SWE), Caprice Match Racing Team - 41
6. Lukasz Wosinski (POL), Delphia Sailing Team - 44

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