Ian WILLIAMS (GBR) becomes the first ever Brit to hit the world #1 spot in the latest release of the ISAF World Match Race Rankings on 9 May. In the Women’s Rankings Claire LEROY (FRA) makes it an incredible two unbroken years at the top.
After five months at #2, Ian WILLIAMS (GBR) finally displaces Sebastien COL (FRA) and reaches the top spot in the ISAF World Match Race Rankings, the first-ever British skipper to do so. It was only two years ago that WILLIAMS, now aged 30, quit his job as a lawyer to fully commit himself to the match racing circuit. So far it has proved an inspired career-choice. Year 2005 was highlighted by wins at ISAF Grade 1 events in France and Poland. At the same time WILLIAMS gradually established himself as a regular on the World Match Racing Tour, with a string of strong finishes towards the end of the 2005-06 season resulting in him finishing second overall behind Peter GILMOUR (AUS). From then on things have only got better. Victory at the Bermuda Gold Cup was a watershed moment, his first win on the World Tour and a win that also moved him to the top of the World Championship Standings. A third at the Monsoon Cup extended his Tour lead and victory in Marseille earlier this year means he has finally ended COL’s run in the #1 spot.
Behind WILLIAMS, his regular rival Mathieu RICHARD (FRA) moves up to #2 as COL, in Valencia on America’s Cup duty behind the wheel of Areva Challenge, drops to #3. Reigning World Champion GILMOUR is at #4, with another AC sailor, Shosholoza’s Paolo CIAN (ITA) at #5.
With no new event above ISAF Grade 3 in this Ranking release there are precious few other changes at the top, with the return to the top 20 for Luna Rossa helm James SPITHILL (AUS) the only other move of note.
Further back, new French National Champion Victor LANIER (FRA) is new into the top 50, going from #52 to #40, whilst Mahesh RAMCHANDRAN (IND) confirmed his status as India’s top match racer by winning the nationals to move up to #57.
As Chris DICKSON (NZL) and Dean BARKER (NZL) face off in a battle for the top spot in the Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robin, a potential Kiwi star of the future gets a big boost up the Rankings as Josh JUNIOR (NZL), winner of the ISAF Grade 3 Yachting New Zealand Youth Match Racing National Championships, gains over 100 places frpm #315 to #197.
