Defending champion Johnie Berntsson of Sweden surged up the leaderboard on Day Two of the 2025 Bermuda Gold Cup, recovering from a slow start to share the lead with Switzerland’s Eric Monnin.
Berntsson achieved a flawless day, winning all four of his races, but his victory over the USA’s Chris Poole was the highlight, described by Berntsson as a “penalty-packed race.”
“It was two penalties each and good, fun racing,” Berntsson stated after a fierce battle that saw penalties handed out in both the pre-start and during the racing, showcasing the intense nature of the World Match Racing Tour event.
At the halfway stage of the double round robin, the standings are incredibly tight, with six skippers now within a single point of the leaders. France’s Ian Garreta claimed a crucial scalp by defeating previously undefeated Monnin, leaving the competition wide open.
In the Aspen Bermuda Women’s Match Racing Regatta, the expected rivalry is taking shape. Sweden’s Anna Östling and defending champion Pauline Courtois of France are looking down on the rest of the field. Courtois bounced back from a disappointing Day One with a perfect three wins, while Östling also went three-from-three, including a remarkable comeback win over the USA’s Nicole Breault. “We never give up and that is one of the things we are good at,” Östling said.
