The World Match Racing Tour is the world’s leading annual professional sailing series featuring America’s Cup sailors and teams and culminating in a season ending World Championship.  It is sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) as a “Major Event”, alongside the America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race.

Match Racing involves two identical boats racing each other round a short course. Competitors rely on sharp tactics, good boat handling and in-depth knowledge of the rules to defeat their opponents. The leader uses blocking tactics to hold the other boat back while a trailing boat must use clever racing strategy to try and pass the leader.  Racing is held close to shore for the public and offers a unique hospitality experience.

In 2011, the World Tour will offer a total US$1.75million in prize money with points awarded at each event culminating in the crowning of the “ISAF Match Racing World Champion”. The prize pool will include a US$500,000 bonus fund for the top nine teams in the Championship.

Skippers earn points towards the World Championship at each stage. A total of 100 points are awarded to the top eight finishers: 25 points for first, 20 for second, 15 for third, 12 for fourth, 10 for fifth, 8 for sixth, 6 for seventh and 4 for eighth. Skippers count their best five scores, regardless of the number of stages they’ve raced.

The 2011 World Match Racing Tour will begin on May 10 in Marseille, France and will see a total of 9 events contested in four continents. The final race, the Monsoon Cup, will once again take place in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. 

This year Ian and his Team GAC Pindar will face strong competition from skippers including last year’s runner-up Mathieu Richard (French Match Racing Team) and Torvar Mirsky (Mirksy Racing Team.

The 2011 Tour Schedule is as follows:

May 10-15, Marseille International Match Race; May 24–29, Match Race Germany    Langenargen, Germany; June 7-12, Korea Match Cup; June 22-26, Portimao Portugal Match Cup; July 4–10, Match Cup Sweden; August 24–28, Danish Open; Aug 30–Sept 4; St Moritz Match Race; October 3-9, Argo Group Gold Cup; Nov 22–27, Monsoon Cup, K.Terengganu, Malaysia.