Please select your home edition
Edition
Selden 2020 - LEADERBOARD

World Match Racing Tour crown targetted by Ian Williams

by Jo Gawith on 28 Jan 2011
Ian Williams - Team GAC Pindar - World Match Racing Tour Subzero Images /AWMRT http://wmrt.com
World Match Racing wice previous champion Team GAC Pindar’s skipper, Ian Williams has his sights set on winning a third world crown, following confirmation of his 2011 World Match Racing Tour Card, by race organisers this week.

Williams joins 8 other Tour card holders, who receive guaranteed entry to at least six of the Tour’s nine events, which get under way with Match Race France in May and conclude with the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia in November. This year’s Tour sees a record prize fund of USD 1.75m - the richest in world sailing.

In 2007, Williams entered the history books by becoming the first ever British sailor to win the World Match Racing Championship – a feat that he went onto repeat a year later. 2011 is set to be an eventful year for Williams who will also skipper Team GAC Pindar’s entry in the Extreme Sailing Series and race on the RC44 circuit.

Commenting on the news, Williams said, 'We’re delighted. We’ll be going all out to win that third title but know it won’t be easy as the standard on Tour gets harder every year. We’ve a very busy year ahead – the Extreme Sailing Series will be an exciting new challenge, but it’s on the Tour where I feel at home. It is a pure test of sailing skill, pitting the best sailors on the same boats. To win it, you have to be the best.'

The 2011 Tour promises to be as competitive as ever, featuring some of the best match racers in the world, including four-time World Champion Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing, 2003 Tour Champion, Jesper Radich (DEN) Radich Racing Team, two-time runner up Mathieu Richard (French Match Racing) and team mate, Damien Iehl who will undertake his first full season. Fellow British skipper and 2010 World Champion Ben Ainslie, will not be defending his title, opting instead to focus on his Olympic 2012 goals in the Finn class.

Williams will also be keeping a watchful eye on 24-year old Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team, who finished second in 2009 and third in 2010. Like Williams, Mirsky will also making his debut on the Extreme Sailing Series, as skipper for Oman Sail.

Williams has competed on the World Match Racing Tour for the last six years. Last year he finished in fifth place following a consistent season which included four round-robin wins and second place finishes in both the Korea Match Cup and St. Mortiz Match Race.

'We sailed really well on the Tour last year, especially in the round-robin stages but struggled to convert that into points during the knock-out stages. We’re hoping that regular competitive racing across all three sailing series, will help to create a winning momentum.'



www.wmrt.com

V-DRY-XCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERRooster 2025

Related Articles

Admiral's Cup 2025 | Welcome from Cowes
Bow Caddy Media provide an introduction and interview with Shane Guanaria from Zen Ahead of the first race, Crosbie Lorimer provides an introduction and interviews Shane Guanaria from Zen
Posted today at 11:12 pm
Aussies hunt 'Ashes on Water' win
The BONDS Flying Roos are looking to bounce back with a vengeance in Portsmouth Fresh off a bruising weekend in New York, the BONDS Flying Roos are looking to bounce back with a vengeance as they take on long time rivals Great Britain in their home waters at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, held in Portsmouth.
Posted today at 9:27 pm
4 Ultim rocketships to contest Rolex Fastnet Race
The giant 32m long by 23m wide flying trimarans are taking part in the 100th anniversary edition While the 50ft flying catamarans competing at SailGP Portsmouth this weekend will be impressive, charging out of the opposite western end of the Solent will be giant 32m long by 23m wide flying Ultim trimarans taking part in the 100th anniversary edition.
Posted today at 6:45 pm
SailGP comes to Portsmouth!
We speak to the sailors ahead of the weekend The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth takes place this weekend, with the 12 teams competing in F50 catamarans close to the waterfront, where a massive grandstand has been built for the spectators.
Posted today at 5:41 pm
SailGP: No practice racing at Portsmouth
The Practice Race was a fizzer, however the future of the SailGP fleet development was revealed. The scheduled Practice Day failed to fire at SailGP Portsmouth, after the forecast, admittedly light, breeze failed to male an appearance. The self propelled start marks were making a much better speed than the F50s.
Posted today at 4:14 pm
McIntyre Mini Globe Race Leg 3 Preview
The race to South Africa starts from Vuda Marina Fiji on 26th July In a world-first sailing challenge, 15 solo sailors from eight countries are navigating identical 5.8-meter (19-foot) self-built plywood yachts around the globe— The fleet has enjoyed a five week stopover in Fiji at the end of Leg 2.
Posted today at 1:26 pm
Third time Finn World No.1 for Alessandro Marega
Maintaining the top spot in the Finn World Ranking List Italy's Alessandro Marega maintains the top spot in the Finn World Ranking List for the third consecutive release. He remains World No. 1 with an 80-point lead over France's Laurent Hay.
Posted today at 1:18 pm
World Sailing Nations Cup to make grand return
After a seven-year hiatus, World Sailing has officially opened the bid process for host cities After a seven-year hiatus, the World Sailing Nations Cup, the ultimate event to crown the world's top match-racing nations, is making its much-anticipated return.
Posted today at 9:08 am
J/99s the in Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race
There will be a race within a race taking place in the 63 yacht fleet When the fleet of 63 yachts set off in the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast (NSGCYR) on 26 July, there will be a race within a race taking place.
Posted today at 6:53 am
2025 WASZP Pre-Games in Weymouth Day 2
A classic British summer's day as sailors launched beneath a blanket of grey cloud and drizzle The second day of the WASZP Pre-Games served up a classic British summer's day as sailors launched beneath a blanket of grey cloud and with a hug of fresh drizzle.
Posted today at 5:25 am