Dutch Match Cup - GAC Pindar through to fifth consecutive semi-final
by Tom Dowler on 28 Sep 2014
Ian Williams holding advantage againts Phil Robertson in the Quarter Finals at the Dutch Match Cup. Robert Hajduk / WMRT
Ian Williams and his GAC Pindar crew responded to a challenging qualifying session on Friday in Lelystad, to win a tense quarter-final against Phil Robertson (WAKA Racing), 3-2 and book a fifth consecutive semi-final in the Alpari World Match Racing Tour at the Dutch Match Cup.
Williams lost the first two flights to Robertson; however, he used his vast experience to win three flights in a row and book another semi-final against Mathieu Richard (LunaJets). Last time the pair met in Chicago, Williams and GAC Pindar triumphed 3-1, to seal a place in the final.
Today, Richard took the first flight of the semi-finals, before a lack of wind caused a premature end to the day’s sailing. Racing continues tomorrow, to decide who will meet Taylor Canfield (US One) or David Gilmour (Team Gilmour) in the final of the Dutch Match Cup.
Currently, Williams tops the Alpari World Match Racing Tour rankings with 92 points, 20 ahead of rival Richard, and the GAC Pindar crew know that every point counts as the Dutch Match Cup concludes Sunday 28 September.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s tightly-poised semi-final, Williams said: 'To be honest we’re a little fortunate to be in the semi-final, but we hope to step up our game tomorrow.'
'We seem to have come up against Richard a lot this season, everybody is improving and we had a really close race in the first flight today. The forecast hints that the winds will be stronger tomorrow and we will hopefully make the final.'
Racing continues tomorrow at 10am CEST. WMRT website
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