WMRT Chicago Match Cup 2014 – GAC Pindar through to the semi-finals

by Tom Dowler on 21 Sep 2014 Ian Williams and his GAC Pindar crew stormed through to the semi-finals, beating Pierre Antoine Morvan (Vannes Agglo Sailing Team) three-zero on day four of the Chicago Match Cup.

Williams has found the Lake Michigan conditions to his liking boasting an impressive 12-2 record in Chicago, with defeats only to Taylor Canfield (USone) and Bjorn Hansen (Hansen Sailing Team) in qualifying.

Williams and his GAC Pindar crew face Mathieu Richard (LunaJets) in Sunday’s semi-final. Richard went seven-four in qualifying, before finishing second in the repechage and beating Keith Swinton (Team Alpari FX) three-one in the quarter-finals.

Currently, Williams tops the World Match Racing Tour rankings with 72 points, 17 ahead of Richard, making the closing two rounds of the Chicago Match Cup must win matches to remain at the top of the leader board.

Speaking after Saturday’s quarter-final victory, Williams said: 'I’m really pleased to have made our fourth semi-final out of four events so far this year. The entire top four on the Tour are in the semis here, which make it even more important now to go on and win the regatta.'

'We’re expecting another day of strong breeze and I can’t wait to get back out there and show what we can do in the smaller boats.'

Team GAC Pindar crew: Ian Williams (Skipper), Graeme Spence (Bow), Mal Parker (Trimmer) and Chris Main (Tactics).

Semi-Finalists:

• Ian Williams (GBR) GAC Pindar, 3-0
• Taylor Canfield (ISV) US One, 3-0
• Mathieu Richard (FRA) LunaJets, 3-1
• Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Sailing Team, Event website