Ian Williams and his Team GAC Pindar crew finished runner-up to Mathieu Richard (French Match Racing Team) today at the St Moritz Match Race. The result sees Williams move from fourth to second place in the tour standings after six events on the 2010 World Match Racing Tour.

Williams, who bypassed the quarter-final stages of the competition after winning the round robin stages, was also given the opportunity to choose his semi-final opponent. He chose to face the defending St Moritz Champion Adam Minoprio (ETNZ/Black Match Racing), who he defeated 2-1.

In the final, Williams went head to head against current tour leader Mathieu Richard. The two finalists enjoyed a much stronger wind than in previous days of 10-15 knots, although sailing conditions were still shifty and tricky. Williams took an early lead, winning the first race, but was narrowly beaten to the ‘King of the Mountain’ title by the Frenchman, who took victory in the last two races of the day.

Speaking from St Moritz, Williams, who finished runner-up to Richard for the second time this season said, ‘Overall I am pleased with how we have sailed this week, having won another round robin, our third this year, proves that we are sailing well, but it is frustrating not to convert this into event wins.’

Action on the World Match Racing Tour resumes at the Danish Open this week (Sept 8 -12). Due to the new tour card system, which only guarantees entry to six of eight events, Williams will not compete in Denmark. Team GAC Pindar will return to the tour for the penultimate event, the Argo Group Gold Cup, Bermuda, October 4-10.