Ian Williams through to fifth consecutive semi-final in Dutch Cup

Lelystad, Netherlands (September 27, 2014) – Ian Williams and GAC Pindar through to their fifth consecutive semi-final in the Alpari World Match Racing Tour in Lelystad. Team GAC Pindar: Ian Williams (Skipper), Chris Main (Tactics), Gerry Mitchell (Trimmer) and Nick Blackman (Bow).

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 Saturday at 10am CEST.

Semi-Finals
Taylor Canfield (ISV) US One vs David Gilmour (AUS) Team Gilmour
Ian Williams (GBR) GAC Pindar vs Mathieu Richard (FRA) Luna Jets

Tour Website – Complete Results

Report by tour media. Photo by Robert Hajduk – AWMRT.

Background: Dutch Match Cup (September 24-28) is the fifth stop on the seven event Alpari World Match Racing Tour, the leading professional match racing series sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). Prize money is awarded for each event, with event points culminating in the crowning of the “ISAF Match Racing World Champion”.