Team GAC Pindar’s World Match Racing sailor, Ian Williams finished runner-up to Mathieu Richard (French Match Racing Team) at the Korea Match Cup final, held in South Korea today. The result sees Williams move up to third from eighth place in the tour standings, after the third event of the 2010 World Match Racing Tour.

Williams began the day with a semi-final encounter against Bjorn Hansen (Hansen Global Team), who he defeated 2-0 despite two close fought races - trailing in race one and emerging victorious from a close-fought, luffing match at the top mark, during race two.

The light breeze steadied for the afternoon final, where Williams went head-to-head against current Tour leader Mathieu Richard (French Match Racing Team). Williams began well, securing a 1-0 lead, however Richard dominated the following three starts, which subsequently proved too difficult for the Team GAC Pindar crew to chase down. Richard’s 3-1 victory saw him take the Korea Match Cup crown and with it a cheque for M Won 75,000,000 (approx $60,000 USD).

Speaking from Korea, Williams, who finished runner-up in the event for the third consecutive year, commented, “It has been a great week and overall we’re really pleased with the result. Naturally it would have been good to win, not least because we’ve finished second three times now here, in Korea, but Mathieu (Richard) raced very well and is definitely proving the man to beat this year. After competing in two events, we’re back up to third in the Tour standings, but there’s still a long way to go. We’re looking forward to the next event in Portugal, in just over a week’s time.”

The Korea Match Cup is one of the most impressive events on the Tour calendar. Racing took place on the tidal flats of Jeongok and Jebu, which are part of the Gyeonggi Province. The action was enjoyed by large crowds who visited the Korea International Boat and was also beamed live via television to the Middle East, Africa and the USA.

The World Match Racing Tour action resumes on June 22 at the Portimão Portugal Match Cup.

Korea Match Cup - Team GAC Pindar crew: Ian Williams (Skipper), Mark Nicholls, Simon Shaw, Richard Sydenham and Mal Parker.

Final result
Mathieu Richard (French Match Racing Team) beat Ian Williams (Team GAC Pindar) 3-1

Semi final results
Ian Williams (Team GAC Pindar) beat Bjorn Hansen (Hansen Global Team) 2-0 Mathieu Richard (French Match Racing Team) beat Torvar Mirsky (Mirsky Racing Team) 2-0