Top British match racer ever

Ian Williams and his Team Pindar climb to second place in the ISAF match race rankings

British match racing sensation Ian Williams of ‘Team Pindar’ today climbs into second place in the ISAF match race rankings, equalling the highest ever open ranking for any British sailor. Having achieved two top four results at recent World Match Racing Tour events in San Francisco and Malaysia, Williams has leap-frogged Paolo Cian (ITA) and Peter Gilmour (AUS) making him one of Britain’s most successful ever match racing helms.

Today’s ranking release enables Williams, 29 and based in Southampton, to end the year on a real high. Currently leading the World Match Racing Tour, Williams won his first ever World Match Race Tour event in Bermuda in October of this year. No Briton has ever been ranked higher on the open ISAF ladder, or ever led the World Match Racing Tour before. Chris Law is the only other British male to have previously ranked second on the open ISAF ladder, in 1998.

ISAF World Match Race Rankings rate skippers based on their performances over the last two years, during which period Williams, formerly a solicitor in London, began to sail professionally. World Match Racing Tour events carry the most points towards the ISAF rankings, while other independent events carry points dependant on their grading. Williams’ recent fourth place at the Allianz Cup Presented by Oracle and third place at the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia, in addition to a win in Bermuda have significantly raised his overall ranking this year.

The next ISAF Match Race Rankings are due to be released on 1 February 2007, following the Auckland Match Race, at which Ian will compete. The World Match Racing Tour now takes a break until May, when it kicks off again with Match Race Germany. Next year’s Monsoon Cup will be the final event of the 2006-2007 season, where the World Champion will be crowned. Over the winter months Team Pindar will also compete in the UK based JP Morgan Match Racing Series, held at Queen Mary Reservoir, London.

Ian Williams commented: “I am thrilled to move into second place in today’s ISAF World Match Race Rankings, and am really proud of the results we have achieved as part of Team Pindar. Having beaten Cian and Gilmour in Malaysia we have managed to forge ahead, but the points are really close as we go into 2007. My ultimate dream is to win the World Match Racing Tour and we are currently well placed, although still less than half way through the Tour. With perseverance and good teamwork next year and continued support from our sponsor Pindar, I believe we have every chance of success."

Andrew Pindar, Chairman of the Pindar Group commented: “Today’s ISAF Match Race Rankings release is a great accomplishment for Ian and Team Pindar, and really shows how progressive they are. Ian and his crew are incredibly talented sailors and deserve to be recognised as being within the top flight of British sailing.”