Yachting: Duo learn from early exit

Phil Robertson and Adam Minoprio. Photo / Subzero Images/WMRT

They crash on friend's couches in London. They know the best kebab shops across Europe.

Their credit cards are constantly on the limit. In many respects Phil Robertson and his mates are just like any other group of Kiwi backpackers - except they also happen to make up one of the most promising match racing combinations in world sailing.

After winning the Asian match racing championship and the Australian Cup, things have not gone completely to plan for the Waka racing team at their second Monsoon Cup.

They finished 6th in 2009 but missed out on the quarter finals this year, only finishing in 10th position.

Despite the performance, Robertson says they have thoroughly enjoyed the unique aspects of the Monsoon Cup.

"The name says it all I think - it's the Monsoon Cup and Monsoon season. There is a lot of rain day and night. It makes it very interesting and very wet."

The weather can make for special challenges on the water.

"It is still very hot here. You can put a jacket on but anything else you just overheat - so it can be hard to stay dry. You just have to put up with it and get wet - it is sailing so it is not a big problem and we don't mind getting wet every now and then."

Far from being overawed, the 24-year-old Robertson says he loves the opportunity of racing against established stars like Ben Ainslie, Peter Gilmour and Ian Williams.

"I think I've got a photo at home when I was ten years old with Peter Gilmour and to be able to race him now is really special," admits Robertson.

"We have looked up to those guys all our lives, watched them Olympic gold and Americas Cup and we love to have a good crack at them."

* Michael Burgess travelled to Malaysia with the assistance of the World Match Racing Tour.

- Herald on Sunday