New season for World Match Racing Tour

The World Match Racing Tour launches its 25th season in China on January 8-12. Located 62 km from Hong Kong, the 2025 MACAO Match Cup has 12 competing in Fareast 28R match racing edition boats for a total prize purse of USD100,000.

The field is highlighted by recently crowned eight-time match racing world champion Ian Williams from Great Britain, and joined by current #1 world ranked match racer Chris Poole (USA) as well as 2022 Match Racing World Champion Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL).

Former America’s Cup skipper Gavin Brady (USA) joins the entry list as does World #1 ranked women’s match racer Pauline Courtois (FRA) with her all-female Match in Pink Normandy Elite Team. She was recently crowned 2024 Women’s Match Racing World Champions which used the same Fareast 28R yachts.

Fellow French skippers Tom Foucher, Maxime Mesnil, and Martin Allix make up the strong contingent of French teams at the Macao Match Cup, while 24 year old Oscar Engström from Sweden arrives after helming for the Swedish Challenge at the 2024 Youth America’s Cup in Barcelona.

Completing the line-up is Australia’s Zac West (Sail+Racing), Max Paul (Bombora Racing), and Italy’s Rocco Attili (RBYS Racing).

Tour information – Event details – Results – Facebook

Founded in 2000, the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) promotes the sport of match racing around the world and is the longest running global professional series in the sport of sailing. The winner of the WMRT each year is crowned World Sailing Match Racing World Champion.

Previous champions include Sir Ben Ainslie (GBR), Taylor Canfield (USA), Peter Gilmour (AUS), Magnus Holmberg (SWE), Peter Holmberg (ISV), Adam Minoprio (NZL), Torvar Mirsky (AUS), Bertrand Pace (FRA), Jesper Radich (DEN), Phil Robertson (NZL), and Ian Williams (GBR).

Since inception, the World Match Racing Tour and its events have awarded over USD23million in prize money to sailors which has helped to contribute to the career pathway of many of today’s professional sailors.

Source: WMRT