Oracle BMW Racing’s Chris Dickson and Australia’s Peter Gilmour of Team Pizza, two America’s Cup and international match racing veterans, defeated their more youthful opponents, Team New Zealand’s Dean Barker of the Omega Match Racing Team and Denmark’s Jesper Radich, respectively, to advance to today’s final of the Investors Guaranty Presentation of the King Edward VII Gold Cup in Bermuda.

“It’s scary to think we’ve been doing this for 16 years and we’re still at it,” laughed Dickson. “It just goes to show that there are still days when the old bulls come through and with age comes wisdom, even if we’re a bit slower. I think we can look forward to a sedate final with a high level of finesse.”

Dickson won his first two semi-final races comfortably, as Barker went over the line early in the second, digging himself a hole from which he couldn’t escape. Dickson was then over the start line early himself in the third match allowing the Omega Match Racing Team helmsman to grab a point and momentarily get back into the match.

In the fourth and decisive race Dickson found himself on the short end of a great start by Barker, but was able to close the gap approaching the windward mark by finding better pressure up the leg. When Barker failed to respond to two quick Dickson tacks, the veteran slid between Barker and the mark to round first. A poor spinnaker set on Barker’s boat then allowed Dickson to get some separation and create a lead he would protect for the final three legs of the match.

Gilmour and his Pizza La Sailing Team, running hot this week, dispatched the defending regatta champion and reigning Swedish Match Tour champion, 3-0. Radich was his own worst enemy at times on Hamilton Harbour yesterday, copping a penalty that he clearly, and vocally, didn’t agree with in the pre-start of the first match and then going over the start line early in the second.

In the third match Gilmour used an excellent pre-start to shut Radich out, forcing him towards the stern of the committee boat as time wound down, giving the Australian skipper a two boat length lead off the line, a margin that Radich couldn’t overcome.

Today’s racing feature the petit finals beginning at 10 am to be followed by the finals in the afternoon.

Finals Match Pairing (first-to-three-points)

Peter Gilmour, AUS/Team Pizza La v. Chris Dickson, Oracle BMW Racing

Semifinal Results

Flight 1

Gilmour def. Radich

Dickson def. Barker

Flight 2

Gilmour def. Radich

Dickson def. Barker

Flight 3

Gilmour def. Radich

Barker def. Dickson

Flight 4

Dickson def. Barker